THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · freeride

Armada Declivity X 102 vs DPS Koala 103

The Declivity X 102 and the Koala 103 compared. The Declivity X 102 is 1 mm narrower underfoot (102 vs 103 mm). The Declivity X 102 is 175 g heavier at the default length (2,075 vs 1,900 g). Turn radii are 18 m and 18 m.

Declivity X 102
$800 MSRP 3 lengths · 172, 180, 188 cm
DPS Koala 103 — topsheet
Koala 103
$1,195 MSRP 3 lengths · 168, 176, 184 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Declivity X 102
Koala 103
Waist
102 mm
103 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
2,075 g
1,900 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
33 mm
24 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
18.0 m
18.0 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 18.0-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.
A 18.0-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 wood core, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 2,075 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Built without metal on a wood core, it's lighter and livelier underfoot — easy to release from a turn and quick edge to edge. At 1,900 g it stays light and maneuverable.
Float & width
At 102 mm it leans toward soft-snow float while keeping enough edge to hold when it firms up. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.
At 103 mm it's a wide, soft-snow ski built to float and plane more than to carve hardpack. Tip rocker eases turn entry and float; a cambered tail holds the edge through the turn.

Full spec comparison

SpecDeclivity X 102Koala 103
Waist 102 mm 103 mm
Sidecut 135·102·125 mm 127·103·117 mm
Weight @ default 2,075 g 1,900 g
Weight range 2,075 g 1,800–2,075 g
Turn radius 18.0 m full-length 18.0 m full-length
Metal None None
Core Poplar wood core Wood
Lengths 172–188 cm 168–184 cm
MSRP $800 $1,195