Thread: Narrowed down my ski choice to two skis

Ok, i need a reasonably stiff, big mtn/pow ski. I've done a lot of research on a wide range of skis and finally narrowed it down to 191 Armada Ants or 186 Volkl Gotamas.

I guess it basically comes down to whether i want rocker or not (which im not sure on). It will be used for big mtn and powder skiing mainly. But i have to be able to do short turns in chutes ect too. Looks like there both pretty close to 30m turn radius. That part doesnt really make sense to me as i heard the ant was "straight as fuck" but 30m isn't that straight. Hell My JJ's have a bigger radius. The gots seemed to carve fine. I havent skied the ANTs.

I want to be able to ski switch and land in power on the occasions when we build BC booters. But doesn't have to be amazing, just do able. Not as important as being able to perform in crud and post pow day debris and harder bumps u get a while after a snowfall

Which is stiffer (much different)? Is the 186 volkl measure out longer to about 190 (like k2) or will it be a bit smaller than ants ? Which will be better in crud? Powder?

The Gots seemed fine to get around in tight chutes which surprised me, are the ANT's the same?

For reference i'm 21 years old 6 feet, 170lbs advanced skier, but probably average by TGR standards.

Thanks and sorry for all the thread on skis. I want this to last me a few years.

Ant is like a wider stiffer Goat. They measure a little bigger than 191cm but ski shorter. I think the 2010 Goats measure true to size, and also ski shorter. With the rocker and softer flex they do very well in soft crud and pow. I thought they held a decent edge, but there was definitely a speed limit on the hard stuff and in nasty chunder. They are nowhere near as stable as the Ants when going mach looney.

'10's... and for the price you can get em express shiped and still save $

Originally Posted by backcountry1pr

'10's... and for the price you can get em express shiped and still save $

What do you mean?

I mean the '10 ANT's Im selling for $450. Even shipped express from the states they would still be cheaper then new ones in NZ.

I haven't skiied the ANT's, however I got a couple of days on the Gotamas and found them very enjoyable in soft snow, but very miserable in harder snow. The rocker, large tip, and soft flex that made them fun when it was soft made them not fun at all when things firmed up. I think you will enjoy the ANT's more for higher speeds especially in variable conditions. From what I've heard they will be great when you want to go straight in tight chutes instead of making turns.

Also I have had a much better experience with Armada when it comes to durability and longevity of the ski than Volkl.

i was under the impression that the new got was stiffer than the old one.. and ANT for that matter. The thing i don't like about the ants is that the construction and ski in general doesn't seem nearly as burly as the older ones or Gotamas. Does that even make sense? Its way too early.

ANT's have gotten slighly softer in the tip and a little lighter over the years. If your a strong skier the ANT blows the Goat out of the watter by a mile. If your a lazy skier by nature the ANT will feel like way to much ski. The ANT construction has always been the same, and is super bomber. Never pulled a binder, blown an edge, or compressed anything in 3 seasons on em with 3 diff pair. Cant speak to the build of Gotamas over the years.

Originally Posted by skibackwards

...i heard the ant was "straight as fuck" but 30m isn't that straight. Hell My JJ's have a bigger radius.

What the fuck are you talking about?

im talking about how the ANT/Got radius (about 30m) is smaller than the JJ's (36.5m) and the ANT is hyped to be a really straight ski that doesnt like to turn

Originally Posted by skibackwards

JJ's (36.5m)

the JJs are squirelly little fuckers with a turn radius of 14m.

i'm talking about the older ones.

Since you already own older JJ's, and state you want a switch-able big mountain, get 09 Goats in 183. More versatile than 10's, which will overlap with your JJ's for powder missions. And 09's are cheaper...

I plan on getting rid of the JJ's

Originally Posted by skibackwards

Ok, i need a reasonably stiff, big mtn/pow ski... finally narrowed it down to 191 Armada Ants or 186 Volkl Gotamas.

The '10 gots are not reasonably stiff or big mtn skis. Buy the Ants.

i was told that the gots were stiffer than the new ants. Since the 10 gots are stiffened up.

Ants and Gots are both nice skis. You say you want a ski that is a big mountain ski (I read that as a charger) and a pow ski. That's perfectly doable. Gots, 2010 Zealots (have rocker, I'd be more interested in these than the Gots), something from Praxis, Lhasas (my choice). There are other options out there too. But you want a ski that you can land switch off of backcountry booters. I guess you could get a pair from Praxis with a full twin maybe, but otherwise, most pow/chargers don't have huge twin tips. Unless I'm totally mistaken.

Just get some stiff tip rockered skis and slay the pow, crud, and hardpack and forget about the switch bullshit. At least that's what I'd do.

Its really a rocker vs camber decision and i dont know which will cbe better for me. What is camber better for than rocker ?

Originally Posted by skibackwards

What is camber better for than rocker ?

py snow...

I guess it basically comes down to whether i want rocker or not (which im not sure on). It will be used for big mtn and powder skiing mainly. But i have to be able to do short turns in chutes ect too

if you want better float and a more maneuverable ski then you definitely want rocker.

Originally Posted by PNyberg

py snow...

Wait? I thought rocker was meant to be better than camber in crud and shitty snow.

The acid test: If you don't know what the benefits of rocker vs camber are you'd probably be happier on gotama. The ant is a pretty damn big ski for everyday TC unless you're a huge guy - it would have sucked to be on it over the last few days. Having said that it's true it charges harder but it's better to be wanting on 5% of your game, when your hussin on gots, than be over-working all the time on an ant.

I'm not saying this is gospel, it's just some thoughts. If you've only got one ski to use you definitely don't want to out-gun yourself.

Best of luck bro, see you up there. I'll be looking for your skis - a few runs perhaps?

Originally Posted by skibackwards

Its really a rocker vs camber decision and i dont know which will cbe better for me. What is camber better for than rocker ?

I would suggest a ski with camber for firm snow or if your down with being under the pow as opposed to more on top.
I prefer a ski with camber to blow through crud that is cut up, tracked out and getting packed down. I like rocker for soft snow (powder).
For me a quiver of 4 skis works best. 1) Reverse/reverse for deep pow, 2) some tip and slight tail rocker with flat camber and a normal side cut for less than deep pow but definitely fresh snow. 3) Ski with camber in mid 80-90 underfoot with a 23-25m radius and 4) a mid 70-low 80 under foot with like a 17m turn radius.
In a 2 ski quiver I would opt out for option 2, so ya, the Gotama would work.

Originally Posted by jerr

Best of luck bro, see you up there. I'll be looking for your skis - a few runs perhaps?

for sure man, guess you ride tc?