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The Scores (out of 10)
- Overall Score: 8.09/10
- Rank: #4
- Versatility: 8.8
- Crud Performance: 7.6
- Playfulness: 8.4
- Responsiveness: 9
- Hard-Snow Integrity: 7.6
- Quickness: 8.2
- Stability at Speed: 8
- Carving: 8.6
- Flotation: 6.8
- Forgiveness: 6.8
The Specs
- Price: $825
- Lengths: 156, 164, 172, 180
- Dimensions: 130-92-116
- Radius: 16.5m (164)
- Level: Strong Intermediate to Expert
In a Nutshell
- Pros: Versatility (#1), Playfulness (#2)
- Cons: Flotation (#7), Forgiveness (#11)
You’re right to expect playfulness from an Armada ski, but you’d be wrong to think Armadas are noodly park skis best suited to beginners and intermediates. The new generation of Armada skis means business, and that’s especially true of the Reliance 92 Ti. A narrower all-mountain tool featuring a poppy caruba core, articulated Titanal banding, elongated tip rise, and a fully cambered tail, the Reliance 92 Ti was built to bite into groomers and firm snow as well as plow through crud.
With that kind of balanced construction, it’s no wonder that testers named the Armada Reliance 92 Ti the most versatile ski in the women’s all-mountain category at the ski test. “Dominates the whole mountain,” said tester and Jackson Hole ski patroller Michelle Nicholson. According to the test crew, that includes variable terrain and snow conditions. It’s a little too narrow and flat in the tail to handle more than six inches of fresh, but other than that, you can trust the Reliance 92 Ti in everything, from hardpack to wind buff to crud to slush. As for tight, technical terrain, the 92mm waist and elongated tip rise makes the ski maneuverable and agile, despite a slightly larger turning radius. “Incredibly maneuverable through the trees and bumps. But also holds an edge beautifully on groomers. Incredible turn initiation,” said tester Avery Pesce, an expert skier and head buyer for Boston Ski and Tennis in Massachusetts.
ٱ:See How the Armada Reliance 92 Compares to Its Competition
That maneuverability led testers to score the Reliance 92 Ti high in Playfulness, Responsiveness, and Quickness, top traits for skiers who spend a lot of time off the beaten path at the resort. Where testers noted a shortcoming was in the Forgiveness department. Thanks to the articulated Titanal banding in the core, the Reliance 92 Ti is relatively stiff for how light it is. Smaller skiers who don’t have the power to drive a ski from the front of the binding may find this ski a little damp for their liking. “This ski is not for the beginner or intermediate skier,” said tester Ariella Gintzler, a petite advanced skier. “It’s got some good pop in the belly of the turn and skis super stable—but only if you stay on top of it. I found myself getting thrown around a bit if I didn’t really focus.”
Other testers agreed that the Reliance 92 Ti really comes alive for advanced and expert skiers who know how to pressure a ski. That said, while intermediates may not find it the most forgiving, they’ll benefit from all this ski has to teach them. “Such a great all-mountain choice for strong intermediates to experts,” said SKI editor Jenny Wiegand. “Does everything and does it well without making you work too hard for it. At the same time, this ski will encourage you to step up your game and coach you on good form.”
Jenny Wiegand is SKI’s managing editor. Born and raised in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Jenny grew up exploring on skis, bikes, and her own two feet. She has since traded in the Alps for the Rockies to seek new trails, new adventures, and write about her favorite sport—skiing—in her new home of Boulder, Colo. Since joining the SKI Magazine editorial team in 2018, Jenny has written and edited stories for SKI’s print and digital outlets. A lifelong skier and former club racer, Jenny is also a self-proclaimed gearhead and puts that knowledge to good use as one of SKI Magazine’s official .