What do I need?

[PantonValentine]

I telemarked at my local ski hill in high school. I gave up skiing all together to go to school, get a job, start a family. Now I'd like to start skiing again. But now instead of an all day affair at a hill with lifts, lines, and increasingly high prices I'd like be able to go out, get some exercise, hike an hour or two and get in a few turns. I've still got my Garmont Veloces. My pitbull bindings and piste stinx skis have been retired. I need recommendations for a new set of budget bindings and any sage wisdom you might have. I assume it shouldn't be much of a problem to mount any new bindings to my 15 yr old downhill skis? If you haven't noticed, I'm trying to do this on the cheap.

Thanks for any advice

[lilcliffy]

I am no expert on "Telemark" tech.

Sounds like you want to ski in the backcountry?

Just looking for an inexpensive binding? What about Voile's 3-pin-cable? Great price, more than enough power for your Stinx and Veloce boot- you can also swap out the cable, and swap in a softer XCD boot for more mellow pursuits...

[phoenix]

You should have little to no problem mounting tele bindings to alpine skis. One exception is with some Atomics: they often have re-enforcement for the binding mount, but outside of that they're just soft foam and have no retention strength, should your binding placement end up there. Other than that situation, it's usually pretty straightforward.
Choice of bindings depends on your intended use, and somewhat on your intended boot.

[PantonValentine]

I figure my garmont Veloce boots would be fine for most purposes. My intended use would be backcountry kiddy hills. With maybe a yearly yurt tour? Are there some all around bindings that can be had for relatively cheap? Good value? Discontinued model? Goes on sale often?

Thanks

[phoenix]

I'd look for a used binding first. Otherwise, Voile 3 pin cables are probably the least expensive ones new, and lots of folks use them for your type of skiing. I like BD 03's, but don't know what they sell for these days. G3's are another standard binding for your profile.

[fisheater]

I have thought about this for a bit. I agree with the used binding option, there are lots of active 75 mm bindings for sale. . For the going up part, especially if there is a little trail skiing involved on the approach, it is hard to beat a three pin. I have three pin Hardwires on my S-bound skis and think they are worth the extra dollars when skiing with a plastic boot, compared to the 3-pin cable. If you were in leather boots, the cable is plenty assistance downhill. You can clip the heel throw on the HW to the heel riser when doing the kick and glide down the trail, and engage it on your heel for downhill. The activity level of the 3-pin Hardwire is plenty of activity to engage a plastic boot. That being said I am mounting Hammerheads on my old mid fats for resort skiing. I found those used for $100 shipped.

[mainer]

Bindings with an actual tour mode are nice for the kind of skiing you're thinking of, but not a true necessity.

G3 Targas with the soft cartridges ski and tour pretty well, and don't weigh too much.
Hammerheads are a little heavier, but are tough and I think they ski better.
All the Voile bindings are an excellent balance of toughness, touring sense, and skiing well. They have a binding for everything.

Basically anything can be found used if you look. Hammerheads and Targas are both discontinued, but are common enough. I have a pair of each I could probably sell if you're interested.