In skiing, a ski binding is an attachment which anchors the ski boot to the ski. There are different types of bindings for different types of skis:

Alpine

• Bindings for Alpine skiing usually work by fixing the ski boot to the ski at the toe and heel. A binding acts to attach the boots to the ski but also to release the boot in case of a fall. To help prevent injury the boot is released by the binding if a certain amount of pressure is applied (usually created by the weight of a falling skier). The amount of pressure required to release the boot is typically adjusted by turning a screw on the toe and heel piece. This is called the DIN setting. The correct setting is based on height, weight, and level of the skier and is usually set by a technician when skis are rented or bought.

Cross Country

• The NNN (New Nordic Norm), where a bar in the toe of the shoe is hooked into a catch in the binding. Also exists in the more rugged BC (Back Country) variant. Two small ridges run along the binding, corresponding with slits in the boot.

• SNS (Salomon Nordic System; marketed by Salomon) looks very similar to NNN binding, except it has one large ridge and the bar is narrower. Three variants exist: Profil, the standard model; Pilot, specifically for skate-style cross-country skiing, and the "X-Adventure" variant for backcountry skiing. Because of its ease of use, it is quite common.

• 75MM (3-pin) This is the original, classic system found on cross country skis. In this system the binding has three small pins that stick up. The toe of the boot and has three holes that line up with the pins. The boot is then clamped down by a bail. This is the traditional system, and is more affordable for beginners.

Telemark

• The cable binding (aka Kandahar binding), where the toe section of the boot is anchored, and an adjustable cable around the heel (for which there is a groove in the heel of the shoe) secures the boot. Used for cross-country (to a certain extent), Telemark and ski jumping.

Non-release binding

• Binding used for snowblade , "Non-release" means that it remains attached to the boots even during a major crash or fall, whereas an alpine binding will come lose. This type of binding is possible because a snowblade is significantly shorter than an alpine ski and therefore less likely to cause injury during a fall. Also, unlike other bindings, a non-release binding can be adjusted on the fly without any special tools.

History

Modern ski bindings are based on the Fennoscandian model of the 19th century. The bindings of Telemark ski and cross-country skis were developed from the Ugro-Lapp type. See History of skiing.

See also

• Skiing and Skiing topics