Bindings

You skiing vacation success depends on the bindings you select! Bindings and boots are the link between your body and the skis and snow. Good bindings are well-designed, complex pieces of machinery that make a firm connection between the skis and boots and release when the pressure exceeds the setting. They need to be set correctly to give maximum security. A binding that releases early can be as dangerous as a binding that does not open at all. Spend time and money selecting the most suitable binding as your safety and comfort depends on it.

Modern bindings release at a preset pressure and this ensures that the skis come off if you have a bad fall, thereby preventing fractures or torn ligaments. The appropriate setting depends on your weight, boot size, height and level of skiing. Most bindings have toe and heel pieces which can be preset for release. Front and rear bindings are usually set on the same number and both skis are usually set the same. Injuries may affect these and should also be taken into account. DIN measures (Deutsche Industrie Norm) are standardized across all makes of bindings. This ensures that they release the skis at the same pressure all over the world.

Another important component of ski bindings is the Anti-friction device (AFD). This is a small smooth pad directly behind the toe side piece that minimizes friction if the toe side piece is released sideways. New models of AFD have mechanical moving devices that ensure that the boot rolls smoothly sideways when necessary Bindings have ski brakes that prevent the skis from rolling away and crashing into other skiers when the binder releases them. The ski brakes flip down and dig into the snow when the binder is released thus preventing the skis form gliding away.

Choose your binding well and see that they are suitable for the boots you use. It is also important that they are suitable for your level of skiing. Buy bindings at your current level and make sure they have room to grow as you improve.