Ski Bindings
Ski bindings are a retention device that secures the boot
to the ski safely. On alpine versions the heel and toe are secured over
a ski brake that pops up when the skis are not in use. The brake prevents
the ski from sliding all the way down the mountain if the binding releases,
another aspect of alpine bindings. They release under certain pressures
to protect the skiers legs and joints when the get going out of control.
Alpine ski bindings are set to a specific force retention which is
based on the weight, height, age, size of ski boot as well as their
skiing ability. A beginner has a very light setting so their skis will
pop off under much slower conditions. This same setting on an advanced
skier would pop out under normal turning so it would have to be increased.
This is the DIN setting which ranges from 0 up beyond 12 for racers
and professional skiers.
There are many other types of ski bindings for different types of skiing.
Nordic bindings only secure the toe to the ski allowing the skier to
let the ski glide much further back behind them which is important for
going up hills. A telemark binding is similar but typically has a wider
securement in the front and an additional cable going around the back
for added support. Again only the toe is secured to the ski but this
allows for different downhill turns as well as limited uphill capacity.