I’m 51, and having my first full season since sending kids to College. I bought and skied these a few early season days in fernie. Caught some rope drops and pow. My first rockered ski. I noticed in the trees and steep chutes how nimble they were. But the rest of my trip out west, on boiler plate, I brought my old Gotamas back out. Im older, but I need more camber for a guy who can’t pick his days from the Midwest. I’m sure I’ll like them more when the snow finally falls. May put shifts on them and use something else for hardback.
Hey guys, thanks for your great comparison videos. I broke it down to Black Crows Justis and Armada Declivity for an All Terrain/ All Mountain/ Woods/ Everyday Freerider (light). Do you have any suggestions? Justis seems to be more playful and agile right? Whereas the Declivity may be the better on piste carver?
I find the opposite to be true, but that doesn't mean the Declivity can't carve or the Justis can't be playful. For me, Justis is as complete of a ski as there is. Declivity doesn't quite turn as sharply, and since it's a lighter wood, it's more mobile. The tail rocker of the Justis can be misinterpreted as dramatic, but it really does a great job at finishing dynamic carving turns.
Yo! Has anything changed for this year’s model vs 2023? Also, any thoughts on the 102 vs the 92 TI, or the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition? Picking up a daily driver/non-pow-day ski for the PNW. Thanks 😄
Same ski from year to year! The amazing thing about the 102 is how well it operates on a daily basis. The 92 requires a bit more energy to really max out the performance but the 102 is just stable, smooth, strong, and very versatile. Those same things can be said about Ripstick Black as well, just on a lighter scale overall. I'd think the 102 is a great option for you.
I own a pair of the 92tis and they are a blast but the 102 is a straight battleship. The 92 can feel squirrelly to me (mine are a little short) but the 102 blew me away. It just goes where pointed and does it with tons of power
I'm looking for a one ski quiver for European sking, with a focus on skiing off piste (often with less than ideal conditions) and agressively skiing pistes. I'm more of an upper intermediate or low level advanced skier looking to improve on powder. Think these will do the job?
If you're hesitant about the long length, I think it's mainly better to go short. The 180 is still stout and will hold up to some very aggressive skiing. Plus you get added mobility and agility.
If anybody is on the same decision, I got the 180 and I’m in love with it. On groomers u can rip those and as there is plenty of fresh snow here in the Austrian alps I can say it is also a ton of fun in the soft
Not really something that I consider. The current point is in the right spot for the camber and sidecut, and moving it +2 will change that, and likely not in a great way.
There's more flotation and smeariness with the QST while the Declivity boasts the opposite properties of edge grip and carving power. Here in Vermont, I'd rather ski the Declivity most days while if I skied in a snowier zone, the QST would be my main choice. Declivity has a more energetic feel to it than the QST with a very engaging finish to the turn.
Hi! Could you help me with my dilemma ? The more I look, the more I'm lost haha I was advised the 92 ti or the line blade optics but with you great videos I'm also hesitating with the 102 ti and the blackcrows Serpo... I intend to put armada shift on the ski and to use it for ski touring too (+-40%)(only ski for the season). I'm more into freeriding than following the tracks and I like skies that are not forgiving, it feels more rewarding to me then! I don't know if you can help me but thank you anyway for all the insights you give us through your videos!
You're in the right zone, so it's tough to get lost from here. I do think that if you like more rewarding skis, the Declivity 102 does make good sense. Serpo is more on-trail oriented, as is the 92Ti. If you were to narrow focus between the 102 Ti and the Blade Optic (I'd say 96 for more versatility rather than the 104 which can feel hefty), I'd say you're getting right to the end of it. Declivity has more energy and pop while the Line is a bit more surfy.
The Declivity is more of a front side performer even at the width. There's not quite the same rocker to it, and the build isn't as strong, so the TST was a better soft snow performer with more playfulness.
The Declivity is more energetic and poppy--consistent from tip to tail in this regard. The Ranger has more flexible tips and tails, so it's easier to start and finish a turn, you just don't get the same snap out of it. Personally, I've had more of a connection with the Declivity than the Ranger, but that's just me.
How do they compare to the Enforcer 100? I have been on them for a few years and am looking for something that is not so much work! i feel like the enforcers can do anything but they are demanding and as I get older and lazier they seem to be too bossy. Your mention comparing the Dec 102 to serious skis range a little true for me! thanks
The Declivity does take a bit of sting out of the demanding nature of the Enforcer. There's more energy in the Declivity without a huge loss of stability. They use a light wood core with the Armada and one sheet of metal, so there's less material and that makes it more approachable. Since you're able to maneuver it slightly better, it therefore becomes more versatile without taking much of a hit in overall performance.
Awesome thanks. I appreciate you noting the Enforcer can be demanding. While it is crazy capable, I think reviews often conflate how versatile they are with ease of skiing!
I’m so so glad you compared these skis. My short list includes the Declivity 102, Enforcer 100, Line Optic 96, Mantra 102, possibly Enforcer Free 104, and ???? Hard to find a head to head comparison video/article but diving into the comments has struck gold. I’m an advanced/advancing intermediate, don’t have a racing background but I’m working on my technique every day. Confident on every run but I don’t go 60mph. I Ski western Canada 30+ days/year looking for a high end daily driver all mountain. My #1 priority is fun/playful. I want a carver that does well in powder, or a powder capable ski that's still a snappy carver. Soft snow and side hits on the edge of runs is my jam, and I’m getting more into small jumps. Is Declivity 102 the answer?
For what it is worth, I bought the Declivitys from Ski Essentials. Super easy process, A+. The Declivity is great. Very friendly ski that can do everything I need it to. It is neither as heavy nor as stiff as the Enforcer 100. The upper speed limit is not as high but that is not where I live. The tail is more lively and the Declivity is happy to make fun turns from more places on the ski, the Enforcer was pretty much get on the nose or pay. The tail of the Declivity is way more usable. Turning there when you get blown back is fine and easier to recover from and the Declivity like to make surfier turns. If you want to rage a 100mph the Enforcer is better but for everything else Declivity.
@@joejensen5896 awesome! Thanks for the reply. I actually ended up going with the Fischer Ranger 102 and love them. They were a surprise I came across while demoing. They ski very similarly to how the Declivity sounds: not as heavy as enforcers, carve well but easy to release the tails and play. Hold up well at moderate speed but I don’t go Mach 3 so I don’t need that level of performance. If you get a chance to try them, take it!
I’m 51, and having my first full season since sending kids to
College. I bought and skied these a few early season days in fernie. Caught some rope drops and pow. My first rockered ski. I noticed in the trees and steep chutes how nimble they were. But the rest of my trip out west, on boiler plate, I brought my old Gotamas back out. Im older, but I need more camber for a guy who can’t pick his days from the Midwest. I’m sure I’ll like them more when the snow finally falls. May put shifts on them and use something else for hardback.
Hey guys,
thanks for your great comparison videos. I broke it down to Black Crows Justis and Armada Declivity for an All Terrain/ All Mountain/ Woods/ Everyday Freerider (light). Do you have any suggestions? Justis seems to be more playful and agile right? Whereas the Declivity may be the better on piste carver?
hi there again, would really appreciate your response 😊
I find the opposite to be true, but that doesn't mean the Declivity can't carve or the Justis can't be playful. For me, Justis is as complete of a ski as there is. Declivity doesn't quite turn as sharply, and since it's a lighter wood, it's more mobile. The tail rocker of the Justis can be misinterpreted as dramatic, but it really does a great job at finishing dynamic carving turns.
Yo! Has anything changed for this year’s model vs 2023? Also, any thoughts on the 102 vs the 92 TI, or the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition? Picking up a daily driver/non-pow-day ski for the PNW. Thanks 😄
Same ski from year to year! The amazing thing about the 102 is how well it operates on a daily basis. The 92 requires a bit more energy to really max out the performance but the 102 is just stable, smooth, strong, and very versatile. Those same things can be said about Ripstick Black as well, just on a lighter scale overall. I'd think the 102 is a great option for you.
I own a pair of the 92tis and they are a blast but the 102 is a straight battleship. The 92 can feel squirrelly to me (mine are a little short) but the 102 blew me away. It just goes where pointed and does it with tons of power
I'm looking for a one ski quiver for European sking, with a focus on skiing off piste (often with less than ideal conditions) and agressively skiing pistes. I'm more of an upper intermediate or low level advanced skier looking to improve on powder. Think these will do the job?
Yup! Especially good when the conditions degrade--very confident skis!
Paired with a Shift or DukePT, could this be a great sidecountry explore ski that handles high speed regardless of conditions?
Yup! I don't think that ski is too heavy, especially if you're putting a heavier hybrid binding on it. Very strong downhill performance.
What size would you recommend? I’m 184
I think about the 188 but don’t want to loose playfulness and that surfy feel?
If you're hesitant about the long length, I think it's mainly better to go short. The 180 is still stout and will hold up to some very aggressive skiing. Plus you get added mobility and agility.
If anybody is on the same decision, I got the 180 and I’m in love with it.
On groomers u can rip those and as there is plenty of fresh snow here in the Austrian alps I can say it is also a ton of fun in the soft
What do you think of mounting bindings 2cm forward on this ski?
Not really something that I consider. The current point is in the right spot for the camber and sidecut, and moving it +2 will change that, and likely not in a great way.
Curious, how does it compare with a QST 106?
There's more flotation and smeariness with the QST while the Declivity boasts the opposite properties of edge grip and carving power. Here in Vermont, I'd rather ski the Declivity most days while if I skied in a snowier zone, the QST would be my main choice. Declivity has a more energetic feel to it than the QST with a very engaging finish to the turn.
Hi! Could you help me with my dilemma ? The more I look, the more I'm lost haha
I was advised the 92 ti or the line blade optics but with you great videos I'm also hesitating with the 102 ti and the blackcrows Serpo...
I intend to put armada shift on the ski and to use it for ski touring too (+-40%)(only ski for the season). I'm more into freeriding than following the tracks and I like skies that are not forgiving, it feels more rewarding to me then!
I don't know if you can help me but thank you anyway for all the insights you give us through your videos!
You're in the right zone, so it's tough to get lost from here. I do think that if you like more rewarding skis, the Declivity 102 does make good sense. Serpo is more on-trail oriented, as is the 92Ti. If you were to narrow focus between the 102 Ti and the Blade Optic (I'd say 96 for more versatility rather than the 104 which can feel hefty), I'd say you're getting right to the end of it. Declivity has more energy and pop while the Line is a bit more surfy.
@@SkiEssentials thank you very much for your answer! I went with it and I will received the ski next week ✌️
Hey guys, how does it compare to an old Armada TST?
The Declivity is more of a front side performer even at the width. There's not quite the same rocker to it, and the build isn't as strong, so the TST was a better soft snow performer with more playfulness.
Hi, how does it compare to Fischer Ranger 102? Thank you!
The Declivity is more energetic and poppy--consistent from tip to tail in this regard. The Ranger has more flexible tips and tails, so it's easier to start and finish a turn, you just don't get the same snap out of it. Personally, I've had more of a connection with the Declivity than the Ranger, but that's just me.
I am also split between the ranger 102 and this ski
How do they compare to the Enforcer 100? I have been on them for a few years and am looking for something that is not so much work! i feel like the enforcers can do anything but they are demanding and as I get older and lazier they seem to be too bossy. Your mention comparing the Dec 102 to serious skis range a little true for me!
thanks
The Declivity does take a bit of sting out of the demanding nature of the Enforcer. There's more energy in the Declivity without a huge loss of stability. They use a light wood core with the Armada and one sheet of metal, so there's less material and that makes it more approachable. Since you're able to maneuver it slightly better, it therefore becomes more versatile without taking much of a hit in overall performance.
Awesome thanks. I appreciate you noting the Enforcer can be demanding. While it is crazy capable, I think reviews often conflate how versatile they are with ease of skiing!
I’m so so glad you compared these skis. My short list includes the Declivity 102, Enforcer 100, Line Optic 96, Mantra 102, possibly Enforcer Free 104, and ???? Hard to find a head to head comparison video/article but diving into the comments has struck gold.
I’m an advanced/advancing intermediate, don’t have a racing background but I’m working on my technique every day. Confident on every run but I don’t go 60mph. I Ski western Canada 30+ days/year looking for a high end daily driver all mountain. My #1 priority is fun/playful. I want a carver that does well in powder, or a powder capable ski that's still a snappy carver. Soft snow and side hits on the edge of runs is my jam, and I’m getting more into small jumps. Is Declivity 102 the answer?
For what it is worth, I bought the Declivitys from Ski Essentials. Super easy process, A+. The Declivity is great. Very friendly ski that can do everything I need it to. It is neither as heavy nor as stiff as the Enforcer 100. The upper speed limit is not as high but that is not where I live. The tail is more lively and the Declivity is happy to make fun turns from more places on the ski, the Enforcer was pretty much get on the nose or pay. The tail of the Declivity is way more usable. Turning there when you get blown back is fine and easier to recover from and the Declivity like to make surfier turns. If you want to rage a 100mph the Enforcer is better but for everything else Declivity.
@@joejensen5896 awesome! Thanks for the reply. I actually ended up going with the Fischer Ranger 102 and love them. They were a surprise I came across while demoing. They ski very similarly to how the Declivity sounds: not as heavy as enforcers, carve well but easy to release the tails and play. Hold up well at moderate speed but I don’t go Mach 3 so I don’t need that level of performance. If you get a chance to try them, take it!