Austrian-born Hannes Marker established the Marker Ski Company in the early 1950s. The first Marker binding appeared at the 1952 Sporting Goods Trade Fair in Germany, according to Marker USA. Marker is responsible for the development of the first releasable snow-ski binding. These bindings release your boots from the skis during a fall.
Identification
Marker bindings secure your foot to the top of the ski; they are referred to as "step-in" bindings. These bindings fasten your boot into place when you step down into them. The metallic components of the Marker ski bindings are made of magnesium or stainless steel. The bases of the bindings are made with a durable plastic material.
Function
Marker bindings feature specialized designs. The lightweight design of the Junior bindings enables novice skiers to lift their skis more easily while learning the basic maneuvers. Professional-grade Marker racing bindings don't have a base that connects the toe and heel sections. This allows the binding to sit lower on the ski, which helps to increase the racer's aerodynamics.
Types
Marker Touring bindings are best for cross-country skiing. The Touring bindings allow the skier to glide across flat, snow-covered surfaces during long walks and jogs. The company says that their 10.0 Free series of bindings are designed for first-time terrain-park riders. Terrain parks often feature ramps and trick-riding obstacles. Marker's 11.0 Performance model of bindings are designed for all types of expert skiing terrain.
Features
The Duke model from Marker features a stainless-steel lever that releases your heel from the ski; it caters to skiers that enjoy both downhill and cross-country skiing. The company's F12 model features a lever that allows you to raise or lower the height of the binding. The F12 also features a hollow-axle construction that helps to decrease the overall weight of the binding. The F12 binding is geared towards touring skiers who perform long-distance treks over mountain trails.
Size
Each of the Marker bindings is built to accommodate a skier's specific size. For example, the Royal Family series of Marker bindings fits riders who weigh 130 lbs. or more, while other Marker bindings are specially designed for skiers who weigh 65 to 130 lbs.
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