| Considering the fact that downhill, | | | | This additional elevation can put more strain |
| cross-country and telemark are all different | | | | on a skier's knees when dealing with powder. |
| forms of the same sport, skiing, it is | | | | Accordingly, a downhill skier will usually |
| interesting to note how different the | | | | select separate or integrated bindings |
| equipment is for the three styles. Nowhere is | | | | depending on the type of terrain his |
| this more apparent than in ski bindings. | | | | anticipates encountering. |
| These essential pieces of equipment provide | | | | |
| the link between a skier's boots and his | | | | Cross-country bindings are very different |
| skis, and they immediately identify which | | | | from their downhill relatives. A |
| style a skier favors. Ski bindings are | | | | cross-country skier attaches his boots to his |
| designed to meet the specific challenges and | | | | skis only at the toe. This system allows for |
| needs of each type of skiing, and | | | | the up-and-down heel movement necessary to |
| accordingly, they take on quite different | | | | cross-country skiing. Cross-country bindings |
| forms. | | | | have evolved quite a bit in recent years. The |
| | | | most common is the NNN (New Nordic Norm). In |
| Downhill bindings usually function by | | | | this system, the boot has a small bar that |
| attaching the ski boot to the ski at the toe | | | | runs width-wise across the toe. This bar is |
| and heel. When getting into his skis, the | | | | hooked into a catch in the binding. Other |
| skier thrusts the toe forward into the front | | | | systems are essentially variations on this |
| bindings and then shoves his heel down into | | | | one and as with downhill bindings, a skier |
| those at the back. This dual attachment | | | | will select his bindings based on the |
| allows for the high degree of control | | | | anticipated terrain. A BC (Back Country) |
| necessary in downhill skiing. However, this | | | | version of the NNN binding, for example, |
| style of skiing also has a high likelihood of | | | | allows the skier to deal with more rugged |
| injury. To lessen this likelihood, the back | | | | topography. This binding features two small |
| bindings of downhill skis are designed to | | | | ridges that run along it, corresponding with |
| release the foot in the event of a fall. This | | | | slits in the boots. The ridges create more |
| release is triggered when a certain amount of | | | | interface between boot and ski, allowing for |
| torque is applied. Anyone who has ever | | | | greater control by the skier. |
| "totally biffed it" on the slopes will tell | | | | |
| you that when falling, plenty of torque is | | | | Telemark bindings, like those used for |
| usually involved. | | | | cross-country, attach only the toe of the |
| | | | boot to the ski, leaving the heel free to |
| Downhill ski bindings can be purchased | | | | move. The main difference is that Telemark |
| separately or as an integrated part of the | | | | bindings are more heavy-duty. Telemark skiing |
| skis. There are advantages to both | | | | involves high speed descents that are |
| approaches. Integrated bindings generally | | | | (hopefully) not encountered while |
| provide a more natural flex and better power | | | | cross-country skiing. Hence, telemark |
| transmission to the ski, but they also create | | | | bindings must be able to withstand the |
| more distance between the boot and the ski. | | | | increased forces encountered such descents. |