SAME exact thing happened to me. I love the quickness, but I do worry about the surfiness. For now, I'm sticking with boot center over cord center because the Pandoras are sufficiently girthy to provide enough float for my small size. And I can still nicely butter my turns to keep that surfy feeling with them mounted where they are. Moreover, attacking the fall line is so important on powder days, and it's that much easier with the tele bindings in the more aggressive spot. That said, I may get them re-mounted if I get some serious tip dive on some more powder-y days. If I get them re-mounted and love it, I will post back here.

Just got these and loved them on everything (and I'm not even Marc Pollard;) Only had a bit of powder in their first day so they had to prove their mettle on groomers, bumps and crud as well as a bit of fresh. They are nimble and fun in bumps and crud and carved surprisingly well even on harder scarped off areas. Didn't go high speed so can't comment there. I was skeptical when my hubby bought them for me (he loves his 130 prophets so much he had to hunt these down for me) and thought they'd be too much ski but ended up grinning all day and anxiously awaiting our next time out. Skins are being cut for them as I type!

I was torn too, I have been a Volkl girl for a long time. I demo'ed the Pandoras last year at Snowbird on a bottomless Powder day and they were so sick. I felt like I was skiing better than I ever had before, they were so easy, responsive, and fun. I know what you're feeling- the loyalty issue is a big deal, esp when you've been loyal to Volkl. However, I think the 'dora really has something awesome in being so fat underfoot. I mean, why couldn't Volkl step it up and make it bigger underfoot? I feel like the 116 underfoot will still transfer nicely on those not so great pow days, and you know that on a deep day you'll be floaty and fabulous. And the graphics are sooo sick!

I'm 5' and 100lbs and went with the 162's and would not have wanted them in any other length. Because they slightly rockered you will not feel like your skiing a 172cm it will feel more like a 168cm. If your and aggressive skier you will definitely enjoy the 172's. Hope this helps.

I am 5'3" and 120ish pounds. I am skiing the 2009 Pandoras in a 162".
I do the bulk of my skiing up at the bird, and I could not be happier with my 162s...it was a good length for me and I LOOOOOVE them!

the slight rocker will help to make them ski a bit shorter so i think you'll be set with the 172's. I'm 5'6" and 135 and I picked up a pair of the 172's as well but wished they came in a slightly longer size! I think the 172's will be great for you
go pandora power!

The Pandora is a lot of ski, but I think that you can handle that 172. It will feel different for sure in the tighter trees, but fall line and deep snow you will appreciate the stability that you can get from them. You will probably have to adjust a bit of your style, and ski more aggressively, but I think that these really are the next step for female skiers, who really want to progress. And that size will step up your game for sure.

Well, if double blacks are not her thing on 155, go with the 162. They early rise doesn't diminish the contact length all that much on this model.

Marker Griffons but make sure you get brakes that are wide enough...they are 115mm under foot.

My wife went with the Marker Griffon. Plenty of binding to keep her in but still keeps the overall ski weight light!

ALEXANDER hopefully this message gets to you...
I read the attached instructions, and I "kind of" understand.
But, the Pandora has a center line marked on the ski. The shop mounted my binding on the center mount line, which seems right. Yes, the ski is more responsive and turns quicker mounted in the center. BUT I feel like I'm loosing the "long board surfer's float" in the powder. Would you recommend having someone remount my tele binding further back on the ski? Hopefully you can help. Thanks for the attached article, it was helpful.

I mean, like any ski, it depends on your style. The nearly symmetrical sidecut is suited for a backcountry jib type of skier...if you do choose to mount them tele, be sure to take it to a shop that understands the intricacies of mounting tele on twin-tip skis (especially ones with nearly symetrical sidecuts). Pin line on chrod center isn't going to work for a twin-tip ski. You can find more info on mounting twin-tips with telemark bindings here: http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6569&highlight=twin+tip+average+centers