The manufacturer’s recommended centerline is in slightly different places on different types of skis. For example, on all-mountain skis the mark is usually 2–3 cm (0. 79–1. 18 in) behind the true center of the skis.
Keep in mind that since the true mounting point is a few centimeters forward of the factory-recommended centerline, the skis will feel shorter and won’t be as responsive and stable at high speeds. However, they will be easier to maneuver at lower speeds, which is very helpful for park riding. Many skis have other lines pre-marked on them in addition to the manufacturer’s recommended centerline, so you might not have to measure your skis to find the true center mark. For park and pipe riding, there might be a line that says something like “freestyle. ”
Mounting your bindings further back shifts your weight back and makes your skis more stable, which helps you “float” on top of fresh powder or deep, wet snow. For powder riding, your skis might have a line marked behind the recommended centerline that says something like “freeride. ” You can use this for powder skiing instead of measuring yourself. Be careful not to confuse the freeride line with the freestyle line, as they are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
If you have an old pair of boots and are mounting bindings on a new pair of skis, try your boots on first to make sure they still fit you and that you don’t need new boots as well.
A ski binding jig locks securely onto your skis and has holes that you drill through to ensure you drill in the proper places to screw your bindings into the skis. You can purchase a jig online for about $250 USD. If you don’t have the proper tools for mounting your bindings on skis, including the jig and ski mounting drill bits, it’s best not to do it yourself. You could accidentally drill the holes in the wrong places or drill all the way through your skis and ruin them. You can get your bindings mounted at a ski shop for about $20-$30 USD or maybe even for free with a purchase. Note that you must do this whole process 1 time per ski.
Ski binding mounting drill bits are special drill bits that only let you drill down to the proper depth. They prevent you from accidentally drilling all the way through your skis. You can buy a ski binding mounting drill bit online for about $20 USD.
The jig will guide your drill bit and the bit itself will assure you drill down to the right depth. This is why it’s essential to use the proper tools for installing your ski bindings.
The glue will also prevent water from getting into the cores of your skis.
You can also use a hand-held screwdriver to screw the bindings onto your skis.
