Best Men’s Frontside Skis of 2022: Armada Declivity 88 C
Check out the details plus our testers' thoughts and rankings for the all-new Armada Declivity 88 C frontside ski.
Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great perks.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
All Access
25% off Best Of The Year Sale
$1.43 / week*
- A $500 value with everything in the Print + Digital Plan plus 25+ benefits including:
- Member-only content on all 17 publications in the Outside network like Outside, Climbing, Backpacker, Trail Runner and more
- Video: Learn to Bump with Plake and Backcountry Basics with Mike Hattrup
- Access to the SKI Gear Concierge service
- Access to the Warren Miller film library and first access to annual film tour
- Gaia GPS Premium with hundreds of maps and global trail recommendations, a $39.99 value
- Annual subscription to Outside magazine
Print + Digital
50% Off Holiday Sale
$0.50 / week*
- Annual subscription to SKI magazine
- Access to all member-exclusive content and gear reviews on SKImag.com
- Ad-free access to SKImag.com
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Brand: Armada
Model: Declivity 88 C
Overall Ranking: #2
Overall Score: 4.15 / 5
Specs
Tip / Waist / Tail (mm)
131-88-112
Lengths (cm)
160, 168, 176, 184
Radius (m)
17.2 (176 length)
Waist Width (mm)
88
Gender
Unisex
Level
Intermediate to Expert
Rocker Technology
Yes
Core Material
Wood, Carbon
Stability at Speed
4.21 / 5
Quickness / Maneuverability
4.46 / 5
Playfulness
4.21 / 5
Forgiveness
4 / 5
Hard Snow Performance
4.18 / 5
Crud Performance
4.07 / 5
Balance of Skills
4.21 / 5
Flotation
3.32 / 5
An all-new addition to the Declivity lineup, the Armada Declivity 88 C rocked SKI Testers’ worlds with a perfect blend of spunk, capability, and confidence. With category-topping scores in Quickness/Maneuverability, Playfulness, and Forgiveness, the ski was described by a number of testers as one of the biggest positive surprises of the test. “These were all around really solid and fun,” comments tester Dustin Cook. “Supple and forgiving in the crud, these skis have great hold and stability on groomers. Lots of life and energy.”
See how it stacks up: This Year’s Best Men’s Frontside Skis
The Armada Declivity 88 C uses a caruba wood core and woven carbon stringers throughout the length of the ski. The well-placed rocker profile allows for noticeable versatility on all terrain and snow types, and a relatively soft shovel allows for easy turn engagement. Other than the use of caruba, the construction layup is pretty traditional yet extremely high-quality, a testament to the progress Armada has made since moving its production to Altenmarkt, Austria.
Only the heaviest, strongest skiers could overpower the Declivity 88 C, but even they could back off and enjoy them. It’s a great frontside addition to a great lineup of Declivity skis. The newest edition needs to be on every skier’s shortlist to try ASAP. “THERE WE GO!!! That’s what I’m talking about!” exclaims tester Mark Syrovatka. “Perfect balance and a great length. If you can’t rip on these, no matter your style/skill, then go home.”
- Strengths: Quickness/Maneuverability (1st in category), Playfulness (1st)
- Weaknesses: Flotation (11th), Crud Performance (3rd)
Buy the Armada Declivity 88 C Online: evo | Skis.com
Learn More
Check out all of Armada’s Top Skis
What you should know before buying your next pair of planks
SKImag.com Affiliate Link Policy