Thread: Armada TST vs. Rossignol S3

I'm looking for the right "everyday" ski for this season. I ski mainly Vail / backcountry, but find myself spending a lot of days just cruising around the resort having fun. I was set on the S3 for my everyday ski (have a set of salomon rocker 2 for pow), but saw the TST and it looked really sweet. Anyone have any experience on both who might be able to compare? Also open to suggestions of similar skis. Thanks.

depending on your size, I've heard that the TST is unstable at high speed.

I'm looking for a similar ski and have it narrowed down to the Vicik, Bonafide, and Belafonte. I was locked in on the TST, but I think it has too much early rise for the EC.

I was liking the specs of this too. Mount with dynafit, might be an awesome setup. Haven't skied it though.

l too was looking at the tst but after blisters killer review of the pb&j I think I'm leaning more in that direction...

Originally Posted by Beast_Coast

depending on your size, I've heard that the TST is unstable at high speed.

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i never had this problem. i actually didnt experience any flap in the tips whatsoever. the early rise is certainly different to look down on, but you'll love it as soon as you engage the edges, especially without dealing with chatter.

I had a chance to ski the TST last year in a 183 and I thought it was very stable and I didn't experience any tip flop. I think it would make a great everyday resort/sidecountry ski for any conditions. Personally I would want something fatter over 6" of pow but it certainly wouldn't suck to ski the TST in knee deep. It RAILED on hard snow. Very responsive.

I also skied the S3. To me it felt pretty much like a skinnier version of the S7. It didn't suck at anything. Felt a little softer and damper than the TST. TST had a more substantial tail than the S3.

I grew up skiing PA, NY, and VT resorts. I think the TST would make a better EC / MW ski than the S3.

In softer snow conditions they were very close. I would give the edge to the TST on hard snow.

FYI - 5' 10" 190 lbs. and my everyday ski last year was a 190 Wailer 112.

^^^Shroom and Rug Wheelie, pretty much what I read in all the other reviews. I bought a pair of 183's for this season and I am very stoked on how they feel and hand flex. Due to the tip rocker, they will ski short, hence some peoples opinion they may be unstable. On edge or in soft snow, I don't anticipate that being a real issue. Also, I bought them primarily for their smaller turn radius (17M) than the other skis that were mentioned, as I want them for tight turns where it is steep, not for straight lining. I have other skis for big GS turns at speed or those deep pow days. For my style of skiing, I think they will be a great daily driver at Mammoth.

All the reviews I've read echoe that same thing that you guys are saying.. I was talking with someone and he mentioned that at my size (6'1 220) I would destroy the TST's. He said his co-worker is a big guy, and when demo-ing them he didn't feel stable at all.

Take it for what it's worth.. one person's opinion who doesn't sell Armada.

My concern is the early rise for a primarily east coast ski. I'm guessing I would need a 192 as well.

I have the 186 s3s. Will be looking to upgrade sometime this season. My concerns with s3 are: 1) They ski very short. As to be expected from something with such severe tip and tail rocker. 2) Sometimes I feel like I'm overpowering the shovels, especially in more techy-steep stuff,

Sometimes they feel kind of loosey goosey in a bad way, almost like they want to wheelie out of things, if that makes any sense.---that may be a factor of length, and the pintailishness?

I looked at new Mantra and Bonafide, but having just bought a 191 wren, I felt those two were more directional business oriented (could be totally off base), which is what I have in the wren, so I'm definitely looking to replace s3 with another fun shape ski, and but something just a little bit sturdier and longer.... leading candidates: 188 PBJ, 192 TST

The PB&J is an interesting option as well. The fact of the matter is that the 100-107 waist market is SATURATED with good skis.. the only real difference is full rocker vs. early rise and stiffness... makes for a mind-numbing decision

The Praxis BC, Vicik, PB&J, Cochise and Bonafide, TST, SFB, Influence, Belafonte, Bro's, Got's, S3, Coax, etc etc etc.

im 6'2" 185 and coming off a 191 ANT, i think im going with the 183 this year, they were that lively.

These plus the bonafides are on my list. I don't have any around here to test, but from what I am hearing, people are pushing me towards the bones, or the TST. What I am getting is if you want a playful ski that does most everything well. then the TST comes in. If you want a front side machine, then the bones pull ahead..I'm 5'9 160lbs, so I am not sure which way to go..I encounter mostly packed with a few freshies, to my annual trip to JH where you can run into anything from hardpack, to waist deep. I do not have a pure powder board, because it would get little use.

I just pulled the trigger on 192 TST's. at 6'1 220, I assumed that the 192 is a no-brainer and the 183 will ski too short for me and potentially get worked.

FYI - I got them for $619 from a local shop in New England. I don't know if I'd break any rules by advertising it on this site, so PM me and I'll give you the store if you're interested. Also, the price is $650 on their website.

Originally Posted by Beast_Coast

I just pulled the trigger on 192 TST's. at 6'1 220, I assumed that the 192 is a no-brainer and the 183 will ski too short for me and potentially get worked.

FYI - I got them for $619 from a local shop in New England. I don't know if I'd break any rules by advertising it on this site, so PM me and I'll give you the store if you're interested. Also, the price is $650 on their website.

when you get them, please go carpet skiing and report back asap.