Built with carbon and Kevlar stringers, as well as two layers ot titanal, Armada’s Invictus 108ti is designed to be a damp, smooth turning ski. Then mission accomplished, because this ski makes buttery long turns with ease and absolutely plows through cut-up snow. The board’s tip rocker adds  effortless float, while the Comp Base (which Armada touts as its fastest), makes ripping long arcs in deep snow a wind burning thrill.

The doesn’t have the quickness and versatility of Rossignol’s Soul 7 or Salomon’s Q-105, and it does lose performance on hard snow. It will provide pure satisfaction for anyone who puts a premium on a smooth ride.