Your Guide to Purchasing Ski Poles and Bindings

Poles

The ski pole is the most basic but essential piece of ski equipment in providing balance and preventing falls, and length is the most important criterion in purchasing a set of poles. Poles that are too short will cause you to lean to far forward and thereby throwing off your balance.

Poles should be somewhat shorter than your shoulder height. They should fit under your armpits when you're standing straight up. The handle of the pole should fit your hand comfortably. Bring your ski gloves with you when you shop for a set of poles to be certain that the strap fits easily around your wrist.

The ski pole basket prevents the pole from going too deeply into the snow. Poles used in soft snow should have larger baskets than those used for groomed trails. Buy a set of poles to match the typical snow conditions of your ski area.

Bindings

Bindings have 2 critical objectives. First to provide a connection between you and your skis and second breaking that connection when the stress is too severe. They provide some safety by discharging the ski from your foot when you fall or collide with someone or something, but will otherwise remain firmly attached under 'normal' skiing conditions. Since normal is a relative term, bindings can be adjusted for a range of skiing styles and abilities. They are also set according to the height and weight of the skier.

There is a subtle balance to adjusting ski bindings. If they're too loose they will release at unsuitable moments, while if they're too tight they won't release when they're needed. Either condition can be hazardous. There are several components that can be adjusted. It's a good idea to let a ski technician make the original settings, but if you're familiar with how your bindings work you can make your own further adjustments.

Bindings are rated according to an international standard of DIN settings. Each pair is made within a certain DIN range. Intermediate bindings, for instance, may be rated at DIN 3-7. Bindings set at a low DIN release under sudden or excess pressure. Intermediate settings require more pressure to release, but will still release swiftly to abrupt pressure changes. A low DIN setting lets the ski release quite easily, which is good for beginners. Skilled skiers use a higher DIN setting. Expert skiers require high DIN settings, so that the ski does not unexpectedly release under normal condition, but will still respond to excess sudden pressure changes.

A DIN setting that is either too high or too low can result in serious accidents. A ski that releases under high speed will cause a crash. A ski that fails to release when the skier falls can result in torn ligaments and broken bone injuries.

Step-in bindings are most common for alpine skiing. They have separate toe and heelpieces that are connected to the top of the ski. The heelpiece will release with excess upward pressure, the toe piece releases the ski boot from excess sideways pressure. Some advanced binding designs combine these release motions.

Bindings are also fitted with brakes. This is a metal attachment that springs downwards and digs into the snow when the ski boot is released to stop the ski from escaping down hill when it's released.