Skiing
attire
bindings
boots
poles
skis
lessons
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Bindings anchor the ski to the skier by holding
the skier's boot in place. They usually are
sold separately from the ski itself, and
require expert installation. Accordingly,
when you see a price quoted for skis, be
sure to understand whether or not bindings
are included. If the bindings are indeed
sold separately, ask what the installation
cost is.
Bindings are a crucial
safety device that
protects you in a fall
or if a ski snags
or twists out of control.
Bindings are designed
to release the boot from
the ski and thereby
reduce the chance of serious
injury to your
ankles and legs. All the
better models release
the boot when a given level
of stress is
exceeded. Accordingly,
you should be willing
to pay for quality bindings.
Also, you should
have your bindings tested
during your periodic
"tune-ups."
Here are some tips for
buying bindings:
- Binding settings are as much an art as a
science. The heavier you weigh and the more
aggressively you can safely ski, the higher
the binding's stress threshold is set (otherwise,
your skis may inadvertently come off). Consequently,
bindings must be adjusted for each user.
Technicians at ski shops have tables that
help them determine the appropriate setting
for you. While hardly foolproof, the basic
theory is that the less skilled a skier you
are, the more likely it is that a given level
of stress between the ski and the boot indicates
that you are out of control and in danger
of injury if the ski is not released.
- Be sure that whatever binding you select
is compatible with the boots that you wear.
While the vast majority of boots and bindings
are made in a standard configuration, some
are not. The technician at the ski shop also
has to adjust the binding to size of your
boot.
In addition to bindings, it may be advisable
to consider devices that prevent runaway
skis. Without one, a ski may slide far down
the mountain if it releases from your boot.
Not only does this present a major problem
for you in getting down the mountain and
recovering it, but a runaway ski can be a
hazard to other skiers. A common runaway
ski device is a line attached to the ski
that also loops around your lower leg. If
the binding releases, the ski breaks free
of your boot but remains tethered to your
leg after sliding for a foot or so. Other
designs include small prongs that project
out from the skiing surface if the binding
is released; these prongs act to catch the
snow and stop the ski. |
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