HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CROSS-COUNTRY SKI BINDINGS?
A sport that combines endurance and beautiful walks, cross-country skiing is ideal for staying fit. Still a novice? Here are some tips on choosing, installing and adjusting cross-country ski bindings.
Specifics of cross-country ski bindings
As it is closer to walking than gliding, cross-country skiing requires the heel to be kept completely free in order to move forward, both uphill and downhill. There is therefore no "heel piece", only a front binding to allow the boot to be held on the ski.
Cross-country ski binding standards
There are 5 different standards for cross-country ski bindings:
The 75mm standard
Created by Rottefella in the 1920s, this cross-country ski binding system has 3 spikes on which the 3 holes at the front of the boot fit. Some models are equipped with cables that join at the back of the boot, in order to reinforce the support.
The SNS standard
This system, created by Salomon, has a notch where the shoe's bar attaches. There are 3 models:
- The SNS Profile: with a notch for a single hanging bar.
- The SNS Pilot: with 2 notches to accommodate two bars on compatible shoes, which offers better stability for beginners.
- SNS BC: designed for off-track skiing.
The PROLINK standard
This is another cross-country ski binding system designed by Salomon that also has a single notch for the attachment bar. It has the big advantage of being compatible with many boot brands, including Salomon, Alfa, Rossignol, Fischer, Alpina, Atomic or Madshus.
The NNN - IFP & NIS standard
Introduced by Rottefella and widely popularised from 2005 onwards, this binding system has a single notch for the attachment bar as well as two slats that fit between the slots in the sole of your boot. The special feature is that it is mounted on an IFP or NIS plate, which makes it unnecessary to drill into the ski. This system also offers compatibility with many brands of boots.
The Turnamic Standard
The latest, this Turnamic cross-country ski binding was born from a collaboration between Fischer and Rossignol. Its specificity is to have a rotating lever that facilitates the putting on and taking off. If it is compatible with a large number of brands of boots, it is however only suitable for Rossignol and Fischer cross-country skis.
GOOD TO KNOW: CHOOSING YOUR CROSS-COUNTRY SKI BOOTS PROPERLY
Your cross-country ski binding must be compatible with your boots. These vary depending on the technique you practice. Boots for classic cross-country skiing are softer to allow more freedom of movement, while those designed for skating are more robust and have an ankle reinforcement.
Can we use universal bindings?
Universal cross-country ski bindings are very practical as they allow you to use your own hiking boots or snow boots. However, make sure that your soles are soft and not rigid. If they have a sliding system to adjust their length in relation to the sole of your boots, these bindings offer less support than standard systems.
Adjusting a cross-country ski binding
The thing to adjust on a cross-country ski binding is its position on the ski. NNN and Turnamic standards with a plate make it very easy to change the position of the bindings even after mounting; just slide them forward or backward a few millimetres. This improves your comfort on the skis or enhances the feeling of skiing. This adjustment depends on the type of cross-country skiing you do:
- Adjusting a classic cross-country ski binding: a binding that is slightly more forward improves grip on the snow and makes it easier to progress. Conversely, to get a better gliding sensation, you should move the binding back slightly.
- Adjusting a cross-country skating binding: a forward binding reinforces your stability when sliding. To have more manoeuvrability, you should instead place the binding a little further back.
As you have certainly understood, the adjustment of cross-country ski bindings is rather simple, just as the practice of this sport is accessible to all. So let yourself be tempted by this type of skiing!
THE 3 KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT CROSS-COUNTRY SKI BINDINGS:
- They do not have a heel piece.
- There are 5 binding standards for cross-country skiing.
- The setting of the binding varies depending on whether you are skating or classic.