You took the ski, balanced it on one finger and mount the binding pin (the front of the foot) aligned with that point. In comparison, alpine skis are mounted by placing the binding at the position that will align the center of the boot sole with the center of side cut. Binding Mounting Next Adventure is a certified service center for all currently manufactured bindings. We can mount most bindings manufactured in the ski industry. We use a mounting template, which is provided by the manufacturer to ensure all holes are drilled correctly. Mounting bindings on a ski two or three times is usually good, and make sure you have a decent amount of material between screws. Now, mounting plates have different woods, denser hardwoods, even metal. Blizzard changes the actual metal profile underneath the bindings so they have more of a firm feel. So mounting skis multiple times is less of.
Pattern recognition is an evolved specialty of the human brain. This innate ability allows us to recognize faces, spot a lion in the jungle, and see objects in the clouds. Despite the effortlessness of employing this skill, it is not well understood nor can it be replicated by machines, even after decades of computer science research. So take some pride in it.
A somewhat confusing array of holes, letters, numbers, and arrows on the Hagan jig by ATK.
But before we get too cocky, let’s test our abilities by taking it to the next level. Can we recognize patterns of patterns? In this case, we mean screw-hole patterns. The kind needed to mount tech bindings to your skis. Let’s see if we can spot any “meta patterns”:
| Binding | Toe Pattern (WxL) | Heel Pattern (WxL) |
| Atomic Backland | 40 x 38 | 27 x 58 |
| BD Helio 110/145/200LT | 30 x 27 | 25 x 34 |
| BD Helio 180/200 | 30 x 27 | 25 x 86 |
| Dynafit Low Tech Race | 30 x 39 | 23 x 25 |
| Dynafit LTR 2.0 / PDG | 30 x 39 | 28 x 30 |
| Dynafit LTR 105 | 24/42.5 x 25 | 28 x 30 |
| Dynafit Speed Superlite | 30 x 39 | 23 x 37 |
| Dynafit Superlite 150 | 24/42.5 x 25 | 34/28 x 28 |
| Dynafit Superlite 2.0 / 175 | 30 x 39 | 34/28 x 28 |
| Dynafit Speed / Speedfit | 30 x 39 | 28 x 38.5 |
| Dynafit Speed Turn | 30 x 26.5 (+19) | 32/36 x 52.5 |
| Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0 | 30 x 39 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
| Dynafit Vertical Series | 30 x 26.5 (+19) | 32/36 x 52.5 |
| Dynafit Radical Series | 30 x 39 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
| Dynafit Radical 2.0 | 42.5 x 58 | 35.5 x 88 |
| Dynafit Rotation 10/12 | 42.5 x 58 | 35.5 x 88 |
| Dynafit Rotation 7 | 42.5 x 58 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
| Dynafit Expedition | 30 x 39 | 25 x 25 |
| Fritschi Vipec / Tecton | 43.5/39.5 x 65.5 | 28.5 x 60.5 |
| Fritschi Xenic | 44 x 33 | 28.5 x 60.5 |
| G3 ION / Zed | 40 x 45 | 36.5 x 52.5 |
| Hagan Core | 30 x 27 | 45 x 60 |
| Hagan Core Pro | 45 x 44 | 45 x 60 |
| Hagan Pure | 30 x 27 | 45/25 x 60 |
| Hagan Ride | 30 x 27 | 25 x 86 |
| Hagan Ultra / ZR | 30 x 27 | 25 x 34 |
| Kreuzspitze SCTT/GT | 30 x 27 | 20.5 x 25 |
| Kreuzspitze EL | 30 x 27 | 32/36 x 52.5 |
| La Sportiva RSR | 30 x 27 | 25 x 25 |
| Marker Alpinist | 38 x 46 | 36 x 40 |
| Marker Kingpin | 38 x 46 | 36 x 77 (+115) |
| Plum Race 99/120/135/145/150 | 30 x 26.5 | 20.5 x 26 |
| Plum Race 165/170 / Oazo | 30 x 26.5 | 25 x 55 |
| Plum Pika / WEPA | 30 x 26.5 | 32/36 x 53 |
| Plum Caribou | 35.5 x 68.5 | 32/36 x 53 |
| Plum Guide | 30 x 26.5 | 32/36 x 53 |
| Plum Summit | 35.5 x 68.5 | 35.5 x 71.5 |
| Plum Yak | 50 x 50 | 55 x 58 |
| RC1 by PG | 32 x 32 | 28 x 33.5 |
| Salomon MTN | 40 x 38 | 27 x 58 |
| Ski Trab TR Race / Titan / Vario | 30 x 27 | 25 x 31 |
| Ski Trab TR / Titan Adjustable | 30 x 27 | 40 x 40 |
| Ski Trab Vario Adj. / Vario.2 | 30 x 27 | 45.5 x 37.5 |
| Ski Trab TR-2 | 36 x 28 | 45.5 x 37.5 (+51.5) |
The numbers are the distance between sets of holes in width (across the ski) and length (along the ski) in millimeters. The 'slash' widths (e.g. 32/36) indicate the front holes differ in width vs the rear. The 3rd number on the Vertical toes is the 5th hole behind the lock lever which is also present on older TLT Speed and Comfort series bindings from Dynafit. It is located 19mm up the ski from the first set of holes (+19). Similarly, the Kingpin and TR-2 have a 5th heel hole far in front of the others.
Whether or not you see race bindings when you look at clouds, we can see some patterns when drilling holes in skis. Knowing something about the history of tech bindings also helps, since it becomes clear that several manufacturers have borrowed measurements from previously patented Dynafit bindings. As such, many drill-hole patterns on toe pieces can be reduced to two competing standards, what we call “Classic Dynafit” 30 x 26.5mm and “Radical” 30 x 39mm. Bindings with the same patterns can be mounted in holes drilled for other bindings using the same dimensions.
The astute will notice a half-millimeter discrepancy in some toe-hole lengths: 26.5 vs 27mm. Luckily, this doesn’t prevent us from reusing drill holes as binding hole diameters have seemingly standardized at 6mm, while screw thread diameters are set at 5.5mm, leaving a half-millimeter of wiggle room.
However, fans of race bindings know that a half-millimeter can affect binding release characteristics, amount of heel rub in flat-on-ski mode, and degree of alignment between boot tech fittings and heel pins. And since binding screws are often countersunk, the act of tightening a screw can easily move a binding by this amount. Thus you often have to be conscious of the order in which you tighten binding screws, making sure not to tighten ones that pull in an unwanted direction first.
The same half-millimeter discrepancy is apparent in drilling jigs that manufacturers provide to their dealers. So make sure to ask your shop if they are using the correct jig, as some might be tempted to cut corners and use a common Dynafit jig to drill holes for a less common Ski Trab or Plum binding, for example. The result could be a little sloppy.
The Plum jig’s combination of common and uncommon drill hole patterns.
Heel hole patterns are less standardized unfortunately, but there are often solutions to compatibility issues in the form of adjustment plates. For example, a Hagan adjustment plate can be mounted with any heel that is 25mm wide, including the La Sportiva RSR and Ski Trab TR-Race bindings. The differing lengths of those bindings will affect the resulting boot sole length (BSL) range, but they will slide fore or aft just fine. Dynafit race heels, in contrast, will only work with the Dynafit adjustment plates, as they are a unique tripod design.
As you can see, there is quite a bit of variability between mounting patterns for race heels. This means the chances of being able to swap heels with another model and no adjustment plate are low.
In summary, before grabbing a drill and turning your skis into Swiss cheese, take a moment to check the screw hole pattern. Similar to tech binding heel gaps, a few unwritten standards have evolved. It’s possible another binding or adjustment plate will fit into existing holes or some simple planning will give you future flexibility. That could free your brain to recognize more interesting patterns such as possible ski lines.
This article was originally published on 1/29/2014 and was last updated on 1/16/2020.WHAT ARE SKI BINDINGS FOR ?
Ski bindings allow the skier to control his skis. They must therefore be precise and reliable so that the skier can ski with confidence and have a maximum of pleasure.
Of course, they also have the function of limiting the risk of injury in the event of a fall, and this is a particularly important role: they are designed and certified in accordance with the applicable ISO standards. It is therefore essential to ensure compatibility between bindings and ski boots for which there are different standards.
Finally, and this is often forgotten, your bindings help you carry your pair of skis easily when you clip the stop-skis (brakes) together .
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SKI BINDINGS ?
Marker Griffon 13 Binding Templates
1. CHOOSE THE MODEL ADAPTED TO YOUR SKIS AND YOUR PRACTICE
Most skis are now offered with an associated pair of bindings, the PACKS.
In addition to design, colour and mounting compatibility, the characteristics of the bindings offered in the pack are adapted to those of the skis and the practice for which they are intended. Therefore, trust the manufacturer and your retailer when recommending a complete package.
If you select your bindings yourself, make sure that the adjustment range of your bindings allows for a sufficient latitude of adjustement and check the width of the brakes to ensure that they are best suited to the width of the skis.
'SYSTEMS' BINDINGS
Piste skis and some All Mountain skis are equipped with interfaces compatible with only one type of binding, this is called a 'SYSTEM'.
Their interfaces (plates) have been developed to improve the behaviour of skis in curves. By slightly raising the position of the boot, the ride is more incisive and more powerful.
The KONECT system is used on high-end, high-performance skis. The XPRESS system focuses on lightness and comfort for leisure skiing. Children's skis are equipped with the KID system which is automatically compatible with children's 'C' ski boots and adult 'A' ski boots.
OPEN OR TO BE SCREWED BINDINGS
Freeride and touring skis and some All Mountain skis do not have an integrated ski system. Therefore, your dealer will have to install 'OPEN' or 'TO BE SCREWED' bindings on the skis after having drilled them beforehand.
The length adjustment range of 'open' bindings is often reduced in order to favour transmission, ski-snow contact and lightness: in this case it is necessary to be as close as possible to the snow and without interface.
Here, in a few lines, are the main families of LOOK bindings :
Ski Binding Mounting Template
The PIVOT binding is a mythical product, the reference in the world of Freeskiing for those who are looking for a product without concessions. The best riders have absolute confidence in this binding: #itrustlook.
Marker Griffon Mounting Template
The SPX technology was developed for the World Cup in collaboration with the athletes. The SPX bindings therefore ensure a high level of precision, performance and safety, both on piste and freeride. Available in a screw-on version for flat skis or on Konect systems fitted to certain skis.
NX bindings are ideal for all skiers who are looking for a secure, lightweight and easy to use binding. Available as a screw-on version for flat skis or on Konect systems for certain skis.
TEAM models are designed specifically for children, with a constant focus on safety and lightness. They are automatically compatible with children's (type C) and adult (type A) boots.
The HM, ST or SUPERLITE touring bindings with PIN TECH technology allow mountain skiers to practice touring or ski mountaineering.
2. CHOOSE THE MODEL ADAPTED TO YOUR SKIS BOOTS
There are several standards for ski boot soles:
The flat soles that you have all known for more than 30 years, conform to the ISO 5355 standard, adult 'A' or child 'C' type.
- The new GRIPWALK walking soles that make life easier for skiers when they walk... and conform to the future ISO 23223 standard, adult 'A' or child 'C'.
- The soles of ski touring boots, generally conform to the ISO 9523 standard.
All LOOK bindings (except the 'RACE' racing range) are now compatible with the first 2 standards:
- ISO 5355, 'A' and 'C'.
- GRIPWALK (future ISO 23223), 'A' and 'C'.
RACE' bindings are only compatible with ISO 5355 'A' flat soles.
The use of ISO 9523 touring boots (with metal inserts) is only possible with LOOK bindings dedicated to touring with PIN TECH technology.
3. DETERMINE THE RELEASE VALUE AND HAVE YOUR BINDINGS ADJUSTED
Weight, height, age, level of practice and boot length are used to determine on which figure to place the indicator at the front and back of the binding, in accordance with ISO 11088.
Use this 'ISO Setting' link and access the ISOSKI application to determine the release value that suits your criteria and that will allow you to ski with maximum safety.
Always ask a professional to precisely adjust your bindings to your boots and adjust them to your profile.
Visit the 'Technologies' page to learn even more and understand in detail the features that make LOOK bindings your best allies for unforgettable days of skiing.