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