I currently have the Volkl Aura (basically a lighter Mantra) with the Marker Griffon Binding. I'm looking to convert these skiis to an AT set up; but I'll most likely be only logging 5-10 days a year of true touring; the rest would be resort skiing. (additional 10-15 days per year on these skis).

So if I'm resort skiing 75% of the time, would these hold up? Some of the comments above about popping out, or breaking these bindings are worrisome. I love these skis, and don't want to risk destroying their preformance by switching out the bindings...

Additionally, I'm assuming I'd need to punch new holes for these bindings- how much would that weaken the ski? I'm somewhat agressive, and the last thing I need is to hit a jump and end up with 1.5 skis after a landing...

stats: female, 5'9", 165lb, din 9 aggressive east coast skier.

I ended up getting these, and tried them out in Alta and then in the Catskills when we got the 6 ft of powder last week. It took some getting used too- the boot isn't directly on the ski like the giffon, so you loose some flex. Over all though, once you adjust, these are pretty sweet. I may need to up the din though- I popped out pretty easily, making some crashes slightly more traumatic than necessary. (getting yours skiis back on in the trees in 6ft of powder is *quite* the experiance)

If you are doing aggressive jumps I don't think this would be a great binding for you, the heel clip connection point is plastic and I don't think it would hold up. Plus, the ramp angle on these is 0 so that may mess with you as it did me (see my review below, also the forum at TGR has some info about the durability of these). I would either set up your skis so you can switch out the bindings when you go AT skiing or get another pair for AT.

Hello! Hey I think if you are happy with the performance of your Griffons, consider the Marker Baron. It's the touring version of your existing binding. It is a little heavier than the BD binding here, but will have the same performance that you're used to. Especially considering that you'd tour only a handful of times per year, you'd likely appreciate the in-bounds performance of the Baron. Also, drilling skis for a second set of bindings doesn't do much damage. Once you've drilled for 3-4 bindings or more, you might start to see some problems. Check out the Barons and if you get them, drop them into new holes (even though I think the binding screw hole pattern is the same). Re-using holes has led to many a shredder to pull a binding out of the ski during a big crash.