How to Tune Ski Bindings

Many new skiers wonder how to tune ski bindings. However, when applied to the bindings, the word "tune" is a misnomer. It's your skis that need to be tuned, not your ski bindings. That said, in some cases, your bindings may need to be adjusted.

Although some people try to install ski bindings as part of a do-it-yourself project, it often turns out to be a disaster. Unless you are a professional ski technician, you probably do not have the proper equipment to make a secure binding installation. Additionally, the ski shop will have professional binding testing equipment. Since this type of equipment is quite expensive, most people do not have it in their homes.

Fortunately, if a binding is correctly installed by a ski-shop technician, it will stay secure for the entire life of your skis. That said, there are some basic maintenance principles that should be followed so that your bindings can properly serve their function.

Your ski bindings are designed to create a secure connection between your ski boots and your skis. The security of this connection is determined by a formula known as a DIN setting. Your Din setting is calculated by your height, weight boot sole length and skiing style, and is used to determine the release settings on your ski bindings. In general, novice skiers, and often, people over age 50 use a low setting, which means that the binding will easily release in the event of a fall. In contrast, an expert skier, or a skier who spends a good deal of time in powder will choose a higher setting, since a pre-release can cause injury on steep terrain or in deep snow.

Although this crucial connection between your ski boots and your skis should be secure, it will occasionally require some tender loving care.

Many novice skiers confuse the words "tuning" with maintenance. Although a professionally installed binding should require only a minimal amount of maintenance, it does have one mortal enemy: rust.

If you observe skiers after they have completed a day on the slopes, you will notice that they are probably paying meticulous attention to the bases of their skis. While this is admirable, the ski bindings also require some apres ski attention. Just as you wipe down your skis, you should also wipe down your bindings. Additionally, if you transport your skis on a car rack, a 20 dollar set of binding covers is a worthy investment. While placing your skis on the outdoor rack of a ski shuttle may be convenient, any ride over 20 minutes can wreak havoc on your ski bindings. If possible, bring your skis inside the bus.

This is one of the most controversial questions in the ski industry. Some binding manufacturers suggest that you lubricate your ski bindings on a regular basis. For example, according to the Salomon shop manual, every 30 days the heel tracks of your ski bindings should be re-lubricated with Salomon grease. The look Look and Rossignol shop manuals say to re-lubricate the binding's anti-friction device with waterproof grease at the same 30-day interval. However, they do not mention the need to lubricate the binding's heel piece.

Come summer, you will want to rinse your ski bindings with fresh water in order to remove the accumulated salt, dirt and debris. After they are dry, you can spray the bindings with a thin film of silicone, and wipe off the excess with a paper towel.

When the season begins, go to the ski shop and have the technicians check your DIN settings. Do not ask how to tune ski bindings. The tech may get confused, and you might end up paying for a ski tune that you did not need.

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