2026 Armada ARV 116 JJ UL Skis with Marker Griffon 13 ID Bindings
The 2026 Armada ARV 116 JJ UL with Marker Griffon 13 ID Bindings is a lightweight powder setup crafted for creative skiers who want to express themselves in soft snow and backcountry terrain. As part of Armada’s “Zero” series, this ski features ultralight construction combined with a surfy, freestyle-friendly shape that makes powder skiing feel effortless and fun. Paired with a capable binding, this ski is built to explore pillow lines, stomp switch landings, and float through deep terrain. We paired the ARV 116 JJ UL 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:
We love how the ARV 116 JJ UL embraces a playful philosophy without compromising performance. It’s a ski that feels intuitive and easy to maneuver in soft snow, encouraging spontaneous butters, slashes, and spins even in the deepest conditions.
Who it's for:
This ski is perfect for advanced to expert skiers who favor a centered stance and a freestyle approach to powder skiing. If your ideal day involves backcountry bootpacks, natural features, and buttery turns in bottomless fluff, this ski will feel like home.
Highlights:
Featuring a full Caruba core, the ARV 116 JJ UL is light enough for long backcountry missions while remaining impressively strong underfoot. Armada’s AR Freestyle Rocker delivers exceptional float and agility with rocker in the tips and tails and camber underfoot. The addition of Smear Tech—a beveled base in the tip and tail—adds surf-inspired maneuverability in deep snow. A relatively short turn radius for its width gives it a smooth, pivot-friendly feel, while AR75 sidewalls and 1.7 mm edges offer impressive durability for a ski this light. 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:
The ultralight construction makes this ski less damp in variable or firm snow, so it won’t suit those looking to charge hard through crud or choppy terrain. Skiers who prefer stiffness and power over playfulness will probably prefer a more robust option.
Fit & sizing considerations:
These ski true to size; the recommended mount point of -5 cm from true center supports a balanced, freestyle stance that enhances switch performance and agility.
The 2026 Armada ARV 116 JJ UL with Marker Griffon 13 ID Bindings is a lightweight powder setup crafted for creative skiers who want to express themselves in soft snow and backcountry terrain. As part of Armada’s “Zero” series, this ski features ultralight construction combined with a surfy, freestyle-friendly shape that makes powder skiing feel effortless and fun. Paired with a capable binding, this ski is built to explore pillow lines, stomp switch landings, and float through deep terrain. We paired the ARV 116 JJ UL 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:
We love how the ARV 116 JJ UL embraces a playful philosophy without compromising performance. It’s a ski that feels intuitive and easy to maneuver in soft snow, encouraging spontaneous butters, slashes, and spins even in the deepest conditions.
Who it's for:
This ski is perfect for advanced to expert skiers who favor a centered stance and a freestyle approach to powder skiing. If your ideal day involves backcountry bootpacks, natural features, and buttery turns in bottomless fluff, this ski will feel like home.
Highlights:
Featuring a full Caruba core, the ARV 116 JJ UL is light enough for long backcountry missions while remaining impressively strong underfoot. Armada’s AR Freestyle Rocker delivers exceptional float and agility with rocker in the tips and tails and camber underfoot. The addition of Smear Tech—a beveled base in the tip and tail—adds surf-inspired maneuverability in deep snow. A relatively short turn radius for its width gives it a smooth, pivot-friendly feel, while AR75 sidewalls and 1.7 mm edges offer impressive durability for a ski this light. 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:
The ultralight construction makes this ski less damp in variable or firm snow, so it won’t suit those looking to charge hard through crud or choppy terrain. Skiers who prefer stiffness and power over playfulness will probably prefer a more robust option.
Fit & sizing considerations:
These ski true to size; the recommended mount point of -5 cm from true center supports a balanced, freestyle stance that enhances switch performance and agility.
Description
The 2026 Armada ARV 116 JJ UL with Marker Griffon 13 ID Bindings is a lightweight powder setup crafted for creative skiers who want to express themselves in soft snow and backcountry terrain. As part of Armada’s “Zero” series, this ski features ultralight construction combined with a surfy, freestyle-friendly shape that makes powder skiing feel effortless and fun. Paired with a capable binding, this ski is built to explore pillow lines, stomp switch landings, and float through deep terrain. We paired the ARV 116 JJ UL 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:
We love how the ARV 116 JJ UL embraces a playful philosophy without compromising performance. It’s a ski that feels intuitive and easy to maneuver in soft snow, encouraging spontaneous butters, slashes, and spins even in the deepest conditions.
Who it's for:
This ski is perfect for advanced to expert skiers who favor a centered stance and a freestyle approach to powder skiing. If your ideal day involves backcountry bootpacks, natural features, and buttery turns in bottomless fluff, this ski will feel like home.
Highlights:
Featuring a full Caruba core, the ARV 116 JJ UL is light enough for long backcountry missions while remaining impressively strong underfoot. Armada’s AR Freestyle Rocker delivers exceptional float and agility with rocker in the tips and tails and camber underfoot. The addition of Smear Tech—a beveled base in the tip and tail—adds surf-inspired maneuverability in deep snow. A relatively short turn radius for its width gives it a smooth, pivot-friendly feel, while AR75 sidewalls and 1.7 mm edges offer impressive durability for a ski this light. 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:
The ultralight construction makes this ski less damp in variable or firm snow, so it won’t suit those looking to charge hard through crud or choppy terrain. Skiers who prefer stiffness and power over playfulness will probably prefer a more robust option.
Fit & sizing considerations:
These ski true to size; the recommended mount point of -5 cm from true center supports a balanced, freestyle stance that enhances switch performance and agility.
