The 2027 Armada Whitewalker 116 with Marker Griffon 13 ID Bindings is Sammy Carlson's signature freeride ski, a powder-focused twin stout enough to charge big-mountain lines yet light enough to earn them on foot. Between an ultralight Caruba core and Smear Tech, it counts among the most distinctive deep-snow tools in the range. We paired the Whitewalker 116 with the Marker Griffon 13 ID because of the Griffon’s precision and reliability for all mountain and freeride skiers. With a robust construction and all the best tech, the Griffon 13 is a popular high-performance binding choice for wider-bodied skis for good reason.

Why we like it:

In soft snow the 116 shows its creative, surfy hand right away. It will hold a real big-mountain charge when you commit to it, but it spends most of its time coaxing you to slash, jump, and toy with the terrain rather than bulldoze straight through.

Who it's for:

Advanced and expert skiers who rack up powder and big-mountain days, particularly those who dabble in human-powered missions, are the target. It is built for creative freeriders who slash, jump, and get sideways instead of only pointing it.

Highlights:

A 116 mm waist sets the float, and the whole ski is built on a Caruba core, Armada's lightest wood, whose snappy, resilient feel keeps swing weight down and keeps the 116 engaging even at lower speeds. Smear Tech is the marquee feature, a 3D-beveled tip and tail that sheds snow, resists hooking in crud, and self-centers in the deep. Pin Tip & Tail trims the contact points for a surfier, more freestyle character, Lightweight Edges run heat-treated for a snappier feel, and a Comp Series Base of carbon-infused sintered UHMW supplies glide where it counts. As we’ve come to expect from Marker, there’s no shortage of tech packed into the Griffon 13 binding. Marker’s Triple Pivot Elite Toe and Inter-pivot 3 Freeride Heel systems work in tandem to provide improved edge grip and control, as well as helping to mitigate vibrations for a smooth ride. A cleverly placed anti-ice rail sits on top of the toepiece and can be used to scrape off those pesky clumps of snow and ice that accumulate on the sole of your boot. With Multinorm (MN) boot compatibility, the Griffon 13 is a versatile and reliable choice for a huge range of skiers and applications.

Things to consider:

This is a soft-snow and powder specialist through and through. It does not want to live on firm snow or groomers, and its playful freeride-twin nature resists being pinned into long, locked carves.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Expect a touch less running length than the number suggests, a product of the rocker, so many skiers size up here to gain float when it dumps.