"Bindings"
By Craig McNeil
When was the last time you had your bindings inspected and release checked? Have you ever had your bindings checked? Do you know the proper settings for your height, weight and ski ability?
Your bindings are an important component with regards to your equipment as they are the obvious link between your boot, the ski and the snow. Your bindings obviously serve to hold your foot to the ski but they also work for you when they release as the result of a fall.
Boots and bindings should be cleaned, inspected and adjusted at the beginning of each season recommends Mike Adams, VP of Alpine and products for Salomon North America. “In every binding made there are features that enhance safety as well as performance, so it’s important to make sure those features work for you,” says Adams.
A ski binding will release in a number of ways, toe and heel, vertical and horizontal, which protects the leg and knee from any twisting or torque you apply as in the case of a fall or loss of balance. A number of factors can influence the required settings that determine whether the binding will or will not release underfoot. Age of the binding, number of times you ski each season, road wear, level of ski ability and any weight changes will affect the settings your binding can have from one season to the next.
Binding can and do wear out over time, not only through ski use but road wear as well. One of the biggest factors contributing to wear is the road grit, grime, dust and salt a binding picks up from the road when traveling unprotected on top of your vehicle. These conditions can affect the performance and will wear the bindings prematurely. If you carry your skis on a rack outside your vehicle I recommend binding covers or a ski bag. Binding covers or ski bags will not only protect them but also insure a longer life.
Another consideration is the skier who bought skis and bindings at the beginning of last season. Ski bindings when adjusted are generally set for height, weight and skier’s ability. If you have progressed from a beginner to an advanced-intermediate skier over the course of a ski season you should have your bindings adjusted for the gains you have made with regard to your ability. This also applies if you have made significant fluctuations in your weight.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND ADJUSTING YOUR OWN BINDINGS.
When it comes to having your binding checked, have it done by a knowledgeable expert. Most of the ski shops have ski technicians who are certified and qualified to make necessary binding adjustments. Each ski manufacturer has recommended setting for every pair of bindings they make.
“Equipment manufacturers give ski technicians certain ranges for the DIN setting (the release setting) for each binding”, says Brian Engstrom, manager of Christy Sports Southwest store. “These setting include the lateral release in toe, vertical release in heel and the torque ranges that are specific to each individuals release setting”. They also include the toe-and heel height adjustments, boot sole length, forward pressure from the heel, wing width and the release settings for your weight, height and ability level.
It’s important to know that your bindings will hold you in when you “go for it,” yet will release when necessary. Many skiers, especially beginners or intermediates, may specifically request that their bindings be set intentionally loose. The theory here is that they would rather release prematurely than perhaps not release at all in case of a fall.
As important as it is for your bindings to release when they need too, I don’t think your bindings should be set too loose either. A binding that is set loose can set you up for such a “pre-release”. A pre-release is exactly what it says, your bindings release before they really need too. A pre-release can actually be more dangerous. If your ski releases for no obvious reason and you are carrying any speed you may hurt yourself unnecessarily.
But what if you are at they stage where you don’t know the difference between a pre-release or intentional release? We’ve all taken falls where the ski has released and you were probably thankful that it did. In this case the binding released when it needed too, so I would put this in the category of an intentional release. You fell, your binding released as it was supposed to and you’re glad it did.
A pre-release generally occurs when the binding releases without your having done anything to provoke the release. You begin to make a turn and your ski pops off for no apparent reason. The bindings in this case may be set to loose or it may have been caused by a buildup of ice or snow under the boot sole. Make sure when you put your ski on that the boot sole is completely clear of any buildup. If you’re not sure use, the toe piece to scrape any excess off the boot sole. Also make sure that the area between the toe and the heel is free from any ice or snow as well. This too can interfere with the how the binding fastens your foot.
If you are a frequent skier your bindings may loosen from the pounding they take under your feet. A simple test is to pick up one ski off the snow and twist your foot back and forth. If there is any movement of the boot in the binding take it to the nearest shop and have them tighten it up for you. If you are on the hill and your binding is loose, look for the nearest ski patrol location (they sometimes have tools for making adjustments) or ask the lift operator where the nearest tool bench is located. Most ski areas have a tool bench handy at the top of certain lifts for quick binding adjustments. This way you can tighten the binding enough to hold you in until you can have it checked at the ski shop.
