So I'ze sitting on the chairlift today with an 11 year old friend of mine, looking waaay over to the left of the High Campbell chair, like two bowls over, thinking to myself.....(ya think she'd notice if I lost her for a few runs and went up top) I mean, uh, well, why can't ya mount AT bindings on regular alpine skis? I've only skied on AT gear one time so far, but one of the things I found icky was the, well, flimsiness of the whole deal. So why couldn't you take the best of both worlds with a pair of lightweight downhill skis and fit them up? Tell me, People of AT, what would be the disadvantage to this? If it was only about weight and nothing else, I might consider doing this. As a veteran lift-serviced skier, I am really, really accustomed to more stability out of my gear, and my style of skiing reflects it.
And for what it's worth, my young friend cruised Lower Exterminator like it was the bunny hill, so next time we go, I'm taking her up top. The easier runs off of High Campbell are easier than that nasty thing!