Mounting Ski Bindings

My first encounter with snow was when I turned 15. It was my first trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, and I was really excited to try my hand at snow skiing and snowboarding. Although it looks fun on television and movies, the sport is pretty tough. The very first day I went straight to the ski shop so that I could rent some skis for everyone. But to my luck, all of them were already rented out. So my cousin and I decided to buy new ones. And soon as I had them in my hands, I had a question mark on my face. I didn't know how to mount the skis and what exactly I was supposed to do. I was really trying to understand what kind of skis they were and how to get my feet inside so that I wouldn't fall while skiing out there. Nothing seemed to work and I was getting frustrated by the minute. My family wasn't even there to help me out. So I started looking for someone to help me out. Thankfully, a skier saw me sitting on the bleachers with my ski bindings and came over to help. What I am about to write in this article will give you specific directions (courtesy: a noble skier). You don't have to go through an awkward situation like I did while I was busy with mounting ski bindings.

Instructions on Ski Bindings

If you have bought the skis, then there will be specific instructions provided with them. Read the directions carefully as different manufacturers have slightly different positioning instructions from one another. Read more on skiing tips for beginners.

• The first toe piece needs to be taken off from the ski boot. You can guide yourself from the mark in the middle of one ski. Keep the boot in the center of the ski's surface where it should be installed at. Use a ruler so that the boot will be exactly in the center (width).
• From the middle of every screw hole, you will make a dot with the marker. Hold the boot and binding properly so they don't keep sliding everywhere before you have the chance to make the marks. The toe piece comes off the boot once you're done marking.
• Match the screws which came with the bindings and select the one which is a tad smaller than the rest of the screws. Install the screw with the help of an electric drill.
• Don't go overboard and drill a hole with the screw. It should go just enough in the marked location, more specifically, halfway in the ski.
• Take some epoxy and apply a little in each hole. Only apply to fill half the hole and not completely seal it. Place all the screws in the marked locations and screw them properly. Let the epoxy dry completely.
• The toe of the boot will snap in the newly installed binding. You will have to make another mark on the base of the hell.
• The mark you just made will guide you into aligning the bindings piece in the back of the hell. Once again use the ruler to center the piece (width). After the heel is in its correct place, take a marker to make another small mark in the center of all the screw holes.
• Follow the same drilling instructions mentioned above and follow the same procedure with epoxy. This will secure the heel piece in place. Let the epoxy dry completely. Follow all these instructions for the other side.

Instructions on Snowboard Bindings

The first step towards becoming a good snowboarder is learning how mounting snowboard bindings are done. Depending on which brand of snowboard you've just bought, follow the instructions mentioned below.

• Place the bindings over the snowboard. The left side of the binding will be close to the front of the board.
• According to your stance over the snowboard, you will align the bindings on each hole on the board. If you're new at snowboarding, use the holes in the center. Adjust the distance which depends on how comfortable you are riding the board.
• You will find that the middle disc will go inside the empty circles in the bottom. There are angles on each discs which should be pointed at zero degrees towards the side of the board. Each of these holes need to be perpendicular to the side of the board.
• Rotate the bindings while you keep the center discs motionless. Place the boots inside the bindings sliding them backward and forward till it latches on perfectly in the snowboard. You can take the boots off now keeping in mind that the bindings are in place.
• All the screws on the bindings should be tightly secured and aligned properly.

If you have any issues while mounting the ski or snowboard bindings, take both the skis and bindings to the shop you bought them from. They will easily install them for you. Incorrect installation of the bindings can cause some kind of injury when you're on the slopes. Take care of yourself out there!