Ski Bindings

If you have ever skied before then you know that ski bindings  are made specifically to cater to each different type of skiing, from downhill to cross-country. It is imperative that you select the right one, since it is what will match your boot type. Chances are that you already know what type you want for the kind of skiing that you do. However, below you will see a side by side comparison of the ski binding types just to give the beginner an idea of what to look for if this is his or her first type shopping for skiing equipment. The rest of this guide will touch on recommendations about how to buy bindings for each type of skiing.

Alpine  Traditional alpine or downhill bindings are a two part system comprised of a  toe and heel piece. They are installed on the skis at the right distance from each other so that when the skier steps down into them, his or her weight locks the device down around the ski boot.	Telemark  Telemark skiing is a cross between alpine and nordic skiing, also called free-heel skiing. There are four types of telemark bindings, which are shown below in the telemark section. All types enable the heel to release by only connecting at the toe.	Alpine Touring  AT bindings, or Randonnee, are meant for slopes and touring in back country.  They allow for more versatility and convenience by either locking or disengaging the heel. It's like purchasing two bindings for the price of one.	Cross-Country  Cross-country skiing is performed solely on flat terrain, which demands a free-heel binding that enables you to skate across the snow. They are to be fitted with cross-country boots  that connect at the toe.

Alpine Bindings

Skill Level and DIN -- DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) is the measure of how easily a ski boot releases from the binding. Why do you want the binding to release, you ask? There are two reasons and the first is obvious -- dismounting the boot from the skis allows you to take off the boots, wander around the ski lodge, etc. However, in the case that you ever take a face dive into the slopes and it turns into a real tumble, your skis need to be able to release so as not to cause an injury. Depending on your skill level, you will need to choose a higher or lower DIN number. The lower it is, the easier it is to unlock the binding. Most new bindings will come with an adjustable release  to apt your needs as you become a more advanced skier.

• Beginners want the lowest DIN (3-6 ).
• Intermediates and advanced skiers can choose from 5-9  and 6-12,  respectively.
• Racers and pros need the highest level DIN (12-24 ).

Gender and Mounting Placement -- Women's bindings need to be mounted differently from men's bindings because their center of gravity is slightly lower. To counteract this, women's bindings should be mounted slightly forward of center on the skis. For-aft adjustments may help to balance skis out better.

Noteworthy Features -- Here are some other things that you might want to know about alpine ski bindings.

• A ski brake, a small lever that flips out once the boot is released from the binding, prevents the ski from sliding down the hill.
• Anti-friction devices (AFDs) make sliding in and out of step-in bindings easier. They can even be adjusted to favor a certain release direction.
• Adjustable forward pressure is crucial to allow the bindings to adapt to the torque when skis bend and twist. This is something thatadvanced skiers shouldbe concerned with.
• Vibration dampening is available on more advanced models and should be considered for pro skiers.
• For-aft adjustments can move the bindings slightly forward or backwards depending on whether you are skiing in deep powder or on the piste.

Major Brands -- Atomic,  Marker,  Rossignol,  Salomon,  Tyrolia,  Voile 

Alpine Touring Bindings

There are a few big brands to choose from, including Fitschi,  Dynafit,  Naxo,  and Silvretta.  You will want to decide whether to go with something lightweight, such as the new Dynafit (traditional alpine style binding geared towards climbing) or a touring step-in style binding that tends to be heavier but more stable. Keep in mind that Dynafit is a brand that works only with Dynafit AT boots. This is a big step which means sticking to a particular brand (all other AT bindings can be mixed and matched with other AT boots). On the other hand, these are the superior choice for climbing since they are lightweight and work with lightweight skis and boots. If you want to remain versatile and tend to do a lot of alpine skiing versus touring, opt for a step-in style binding, which also happens to be more readily available.

• Look for models that feature a brake. Not all come with it as a standard. However, if you plan to have both step-in style stability for hills, you will want this protection so that in the case that you take a tumble, your skis won't fly off by themselves.
• If you know that you'll be doing lots of climbing, stick to very lightweight bindings.
• Look for quick pole switch bindings that don't require stepping out of your bindings to switch from touring to alpine mode.

Cross-Country Bindings

There are three types of XC bindings available, each with a specific purpose and brands that they are compatible with.

NNN Bindings These are the bindings that the pros use for racing, either in the R3 or R4 classification. They are compatible with the following manufacturers: Alpina,  Atomic,  and Rossignol.	SNS Profil Salomon  and Fischer  are some of the manufacturers that make this type of binding suited to skiing from racing (equipe), active (touring/recreational), and back country, to auto touring.	SNS Pilot This type of binding is meant for skate skiers, and they are compatible with boots made by the following manufacturers: Salomon,  Fischer,  Adidas,  and Hartjes.

Telemark Bindings

Bindings will typically range in cost from $150 to $300. You will want to look at the spring tension or stiffness in a binding when selecting since that is what will determine the kind of support you will get from them. Here are the basic types, represented by popular models. For an expert article on buying telemark bindings, please see this atskis.com buying guide or this excellent buyer's guide at TelemarkSki.com.

Black Diamond Riva	G3 Targa	Roteffella R8 Binding	Voile VP II	Voile CRB
Tension	Cable Compression	Wire Compression	Plate	Releasable

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