How to Adjust Bindings

[box type=”warning”] DISCLAIMER: ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SKI BINDINGS MOUNTED, ADJUSTED, SERVICED AND INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED SKI BINDING TECHNICIAN.[/box]

Every year at the Vail hospital there are dozens of people who have destroyed knees because they “adjusted” their bindings. Most people borrow a pair of skis from a friend and think that adjusting the binding themselves is a good idea. It’s not. Unless you are a certified binding technician, messing with the bindings can get you in big trouble. There are mainy elements that go into getting the right fit.

1.) DIN Setting

DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardization). It is the industry standard release scale for bindings. Height, weight, boots size, skier ability  are all used to calculate your DIN. A low DIN setting causes your bindings to release easier than a high one. A DIN setting is unique for each skier and must be adjust at the toe and heel of the binding.

2) Centering

There is a mark in the middle of the sole of a ski boot that marks the center of the boot. On the ski there will also be another center mark. You want these to points to be lined up when adjusting your ski.

3) Adjusting

How to adjust a binding varies from ski to ski. There is usually a screw or a lever that controls the position of the toe and heel piece of the binding. Check the sole length of your boot and adjust the binding to that length.

4) Check the Safety Window or Marker

There is a safety window or marker on every binding that tells you whether the toe and heel are adjusted properly. This varies on every binding and must be looked into before using the skis.

As you can see there is a lot that goes into binding adjustments. Don’t even get me started on mounting them. Do yourself a favor and swing by a ski shop to get them set up. You don’t want to spend the next year rehabbing a shredded knee.  Leave it to the professionals.

[box type=”warning”] DISCLAIMER: ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SKI BINDINGS MOUNTED, ADJUSTED, SERVICED AND INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED SKI BINDING TECHNICIAN.[/box]

Helmets: Yes you need one. It’s not always your fault when you get into an accident. Some Hot Dogger might smoke you while he’s doing a spread eagle off a cat walk.

Quality ski wear can be expensive but it will make all the difference on your trip. It also lasts forever.