How to Snap Into Your Ski Bindings

If you are a new skier, you might be wondering how in heaven’s name you are supposed to snap into your ski bindings. Basically, you scrape the snow off of your ski boots, align your toe with the toe piece, center your heel and snap into the heel piece. Unfortunately, this can be easier said than done. Many new or even accomplished skiers have experienced the following scenario. Excited by a day on the slopes, you try to snap into your bindings. After five minutes of trial and error, you throw up your hand in frustration. What went wrong? Let’s explore some potential problems.

1. Dude! There’s ice on your boot! Some ski boots can be very sneaky about accumulating snow and ice. This problem is significantly prevalent if you tend to walk on concrete with your ski boots. To prevent this nuisance, you might consider purchasing a pair of Seirus Cat Tracks. However, there are other things you can do. Scrape your boots against the toe piece of your bindings. If that still doesn’t do the trick, lift up your foot, and have your friend scrape the bottom of your boot with his or her ski pole. Then, make horse noises!
2. Help! I’m sliding down the hill! You’re on a steep slope, and you experience what is known as a “yard sale.” Now, you have to snap into your bindings. By instinct, you first snap into your uphill binding. As your downhill ski starts sliding away, you realize that your instincts were wrong! Here’s a better method. Place your skis next to each other. Make sure that they are across, not down the hill! Now, stand in front of your downhill ski. Cross your downhill leg in front of your uphill ski. Scrape it off on the toe piece, and snap it into your binding. The next part is very important. Place this downhill ski on the big toe edge. This will stabilize your position on the hill. Then, scrape off your uphill ski. Snap in, and proceed down the hill.
3. Uh, your brakes are up. Sometimes, if you have experienced a wipeout, the brake will pop up. In this case, you need to manually push down the brake before snapping into your skis. Remember, you are not securely in until you hear that satisfying snapping noise.

Choosing Ski Bindings by Ski Level

While many alpine skiers will spend months researching their ski and boot purchases, they often pay less attention to their choice of binding. If you consider the fact that ski bindings seal the marriage between ski and boot, you realize that negligence can be unwise. Some skiers, in an attempt to save money, buy their skis at the end of the season at a ski resort. While they might be saving money on their skis, demo ski bindings leave much to be desired. If the skis have a faulty binding, the purchase of a demo ski adds a whole new meaning to the phrase “penny wise and pound foolish!”

So what should you look for when purchasing an alpine ski binding? There are two major factors to consider:

1. What type of skier are you?
2. What type of skis do you have?

If you are new to the sport of skiing, you can go with an affordable recreational binding such as the Salomon C610 CP Ski Binding.

Choose a low DIN setting, so that the bindings will release in the event of a fall.

When you reach the intermediate stage, you will want a more tolerable Din stetting. If you are looking to enhance your carving skills, your choice of ski binding can be of assistance. For example, the Rossignol Axium 200 X Plate Ski Bindings have a redesigned break that reacts higher and more inward. Since this improvement keeps the break from dragging in the snow, it enhances your ability to get your skis on edge. The Axium 200 is a lightweight ski binding that comes with a 10mm plate. You will find yourself pleasantly surprised by its edge hold, and its ability to help you perform quick turns on firm snow.

Once you have reached the expert level of skiing, you can choose a binding with a higher DIN setting. You also want to choose a ski binding that supports your aggressive ski style. For that, you need the Marker 12.0 TC Piston Turbo Ski Binding!

These lightweight, high performance ski bindings have been developed from the same hydraulic oil piston system that racers are using to win World Cup and World Championship races. By providing amazing communication and control between the boot, binding and ski, the Marker 12.0 TC Piston Turbo bindings eliminate the negative vibrations and oscillations that tend to occur during the counter-flex of the ski. You will be impressed with your new ability to load and bend the ski in a larger and deeper radius throughout the entire turn.

Be sure to read the next section about what components to look for in a ski binding.

Important Ski Binding Components and Ski Binding Maintenance

In addition to skier type, you can use your ski type to determine your choice of ski binding. For example, do you have very flexible skis? If so, you will need a ski binding that has advanced forward pressure mechanisms. This type of ski binding will retain your ski under pressure.

Are you a carver? To create clean arcs, you might want to consider ski bindings that come with a lifter that will keep your ski boots from scraping the snow. Advanced skiers, who ski in all sorts of conditions, should look for ski bindings that have an excellent vibration dampening device. These rubber additions can eliminate ski chatter when skiing through crud and other challenging conditions. Likewise, if you love to ski powder, you should seek out adjustable bindings that allow you to change your ski stance for different conditions. All skiers should be sure to purchase bindings that have an anti-friction device that can release in any snow condition.

Remember that a binding will only perform well if it is well-maintained. They might wear out from picking up road dirt and salt when traveling unprotected on top of your vehicle or on the ski racks of a shuttle bus. For this reason, you should always use a binding cover. After you ski, you should wipe the water off your bindings. Then, be sure to store them in a warm and dry area. This will allow the snow and ice to melt off the binding, instead of re-freezing into the binding mechanism.