THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · all-mountain

Armada ARV 88 vs Black Crows Sato Birdie

The ARV 88 and the Sato Birdie compared. They share 88 mm underfoot. The ARV 88 is 25 g heavier at the default length (1,600 vs 1,575 g). Turn radii are 16 m and 17 m.

ARV 88
$500 MSRP 1 length · 171 cm
Black Crows Sato Birdie — topsheet
Sato Birdie
$739 MSRP 3 lengths · 155, 161, 167 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

ARV 88
Sato Birdie
Waist
88 mm
88 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,600 g
1,575 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
31 mm
39 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
16.0 m
17.0 m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 16.0-meter radius sits in the all-purpose range — turn shapes that shorten up or open out without committing to either; a moderate tip taper keeps turn entry easy while the shovel still engages.
A 17.0-meter radius draws medium-to-long turns and holds a line through them; a moderate taper keeps entry manageable without giving up much grip mid-arc.
Stability & dampness
Built without metal on a poplar ash wood core, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,600 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Built without metal, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,575 g it's a genuinely light ski, nimble and easy to move around.
Float & width
At 88 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.
At 88 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.

Full spec comparison

SpecARV 88Sato Birdie
Waist 88 mm 88 mm
Sidecut 119·88·113 mm 127·88·113 mm
Weight @ default 1,600 g 1,575 g
Weight range 1,600 g 1,550–1,650 g
Turn radius 16.0 m full-length 17.0 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Poplar ash wood core Not published
Lengths 171–171 cm 155–167 cm
MSRP $500 $739