Auras - Griffon or Marker 12 PC Ti

[agcski]

Hello all,

So excited to finally get my hands on my new 163 Auras...demoed the 163's in Whistler then the 170s in the BC interior...loved the 170's but because I have moved back east and only get back out west to ride actual mountains every once in a while, I decided that the 163's would be more fun and make my ski vacations less exhausting.

Now the tough question: bindings! I have been told by two different techs that I should get either the Griffon or the Marker 12.0 Piston Control Turbo...I am a 80 per cent off-piste aggressive skier.

From what I understand the Marker is better for all mountain and the Griffon is better in the park...does anyone know if this is true? I tend to stay out of the park (to avoid embarrassment) but my concern is the height the Markers give...I can understand if you were dealing with hard pack a lot that would be helpful but luckily I don't very often. But I was told that the Marker offers stability and smoothness. The Griffons are lighter and considering the weight of the ski already.....needless to say I am confused!

Any guidance would be much appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

-agc

 

[pinto]

Is there a need to stick with Marker? I have Salomon Z10 Ti's on mine, and LOVE them. The Z12s would work, too ... they are very light, and the Auras are light, but both strong ... I think the combo is great, especially if you ever hike with them.

 

[alyeskaluv]

I also have the Salomon Z10 TIs on my 163 Auras and LOVE them - they keep the set-up really light, which is nice because the Aura is a pretty light, yet stiff, ski.

I initially mounted my Auras with the Marker 12.0s with Piston Control and I did not like those bindings on the Aura at all. I am fairly strong (5'7" and 145ish) and I found them very heavy and a lot more work to turn, especially in crud and pow. I know that some stronger and more aggresive Divas like the Markers with PC, but for me they were all wrong.

As a matter of comparison, when I was swapping the Z10s for the Markers, I made my tech weigh the bindings (because he told me I wouldn't really be saving that much weight) and the Z10 was 1/2 the weight of the Marker 12 . . . IMO, that's a huge difference. Other Divas have also endorsed the Rossi/Look/Dynastar freestyle bindings for the Aura.

Good luck

 

[volklgirl]

I have the 11.0 PC on mine and love them. However, I'm an aggressive racer/skier and spend 90% of my time on midwest hardpack. The PC switch really helps the Aura stick on the hardpack and ice.

 

[SnowHot]

If I were going to mount new Auras with new bindings, I'd be tempted to go with Griffons.

I really like the wider mounting pattern on them.

 

[cloudpeak]

I have Z12's on a pair of Auras and Griffons on my HellBents. They're both great bindings. IMO, you can't go wrong with either binding.

 

[sasha]

I agree! I demo'd the Aura's with Marker bindings, and I could barely lift the suckers onto the gondola... never mind hike across the flats. I have the Z10s on my skis at home, and I love them -- nice and light, with pretty colors!