Mounting and Remounting Your Ski Bindings: 2023 FAQ’s

How well your skis are bound to your ski boots is one of the most important aspects of having a safe and comfortable ride. This article covers all you need to know about mounting and remounting your ski bindings.

Mounting ski bindings is the process of attaching the bindings (the part of the ski that attaches and secures your ski boots) to your skis.

Remounting ski bindings is when you move and/or replace the bindings on your skis. Typically, remounting is done if you want to change the position of your stance on your ski (moving the bindings a bit forward or backward on your skis).

What Are Ski Bindings?

Ski bindings are a component that attaches and secures your boots to your skis. The most important feature of ski bindings isn’t that they secure your boots to your skis. It’s that they detach and release your boots from your skis when you fall, lowering the risk of more serious injuries.

How to Mount Ski Bindings

Most skis have integrated bindings already attached to the skis, but they need to be adjusted. This is done by adjusting the toe and heel piece on the rails according to your boot sole length. You can install and adjust your bindings by following these simple steps.

1. Place the boot on the binding. The front of the boot needs to be pressed into the toe piece.
2. The heel piece of the binding needs to be unlocked by lifting the brake arm and sliding the heel piece onto the rail until it makes contact with your boot heel.
3. Release the locking mechanism and ensure the binding is secure and does not move at all.

If your skis do not have integrated bindings, it is highly recommended that you ask a professional at a ski shop to help you, as bindings need to be installed properly to avoid serious injury.

When Should You Remount Your Skis?

Skiers remount their skis for one of two reasons: First, they are going up a boot size-this could be due to foot growth or more comfort. Second, they want to change the position of their stance on the skis to improve performance under different conditions or to try a different stance for other reasons. These are the typical types of ski remounting:

Forward Remounting

This type of remounting is usually necessary when a ski is too stable and not responsive enough for the moves you want to make while skiing the slopes. Forward remounting is also done for those skiers who want to powder ski and require extra flotation.

Backward Remounting

Conversely, backward remounting is done when the ski is too responsive for your style of skiing and you would prefer a more stable fit. It is also done for growing kids and boot size increases.

Other Remounting

Another reason for remounting-either forward or backward remounting is when you have purchased used skis that need to be adjusted to accommodate your boot size. Usually, the ski bindings can be adjusted by one boot size up or down without requiring the drilling of holes.

If the size is more than two sizes up or down, a remount is necessary and should be moved forward or backward depending on whether they are being remounted up or down a boot size.

Sometimes, ski bindings need to be remounted when the bindings are older and have worn through. Regardless, you should adjust your bindings every season.

How Often Can You Remount Skis?

Skis can be remounted several times. However, the industry standard is that skis should not be remounted more than three times before being replaced.

When remounting a ski, each remounting point should be at least 0.31 inches (ca. 8 mm) away from the previous hole to ensure sturdiness and strength in the screws.

This means that each time you remount your skis, you have less room to adjust your bindings, which means there is a technical upper limit for remounting your skis (depending on the ski length and the size of the bindings.

The more you remount your skis, the more you reduce their integrity. In reality, mounting twice will NOT be a problem, and the ski can easily handle this.

What Are The Benefits Of Remounting Versus Replacing My Old Skis?

You’d want to remount your skis for two reasons instead of buying new ones.

First, if you’re planning to get into skiing more seriously, you’ll probably want to invest in new skis that will last longer than you currently have. New skis can cost anywhere from $200-$500 per pair, so if you’re only going to be skiing once or twice a year, it makes sense to save up for them.

Second, if you’re considering upgrading your current bindings, you could benefit from switching to newer models. The newer models of bindings provide better support for your foot and make it easier to adjust the tension of your bootstraps.

How Do I Know When It’s Time To Replace My Old Skis?

The first thing to consider is how much use your existing skis are getting. If you’re skiing every single day, all winter long every single day, then it’s likely that your skis are wearing down faster than they would otherwise.

If you notice that your boots are rubbing against your skis or that your edges are becoming duller, it might be time to upgrade.

Can I Remount My Skis On My Own?

Remounting skis yourself is possible; many online how-to guides will walk you through the steps. However, it is not recommended. Unless you know what you are doing, you are likely to destroy or damage your skis and may be a danger to yourself.

Even though the process is relatively simple, it must be done properly to ensure optimal safety.

A certified professional will know where to put the new holes, fill in any holes, and will be able to do a full safety check to ensure that there is no injury caused down the line due to poor remounting.

What Happens To The Holes In My Skis When They Are Remounted?

Skis should be taken care of by professional ski technicians. A ski technician will replace the plug if necessary. A ski technician will also make sure to fill the hole correctly. Holes in skis are commonly filled in with plugs, glue, or epoxies.

There is a debate on the best method of filling holes, but most professionals believe that waterproof ABS plugs are the best. This is because of their all-around flexibility and durability, even in low temperatures. They will not become brittle or stiff, either.

What Are The Drawbacks To Remounting?

If remounting is done properly by a professional, there is relatively little risk of damaging or destroying your skis, and so there are little to no downsides or drawbacks to performing a remount on skis.

Is Remounting Reversible?

Generally, a technician skilled in remounting can easily reverse your remounting by unplugging the previous holes and repositioning the bindings to where they were in the first place.

Are Ski Bindings Universal?

Most bindings used for skiing are universal and can be used no matter the brand or size of the ski.

How Common Is It To Remounting Skis?

Remounting is common in the skiing community; many ski shops will do this for you. It is especially common to do for kids that have moved up a boot size.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of mounting and remounting skis generally depends on the ski shop and area in which it is done, as well as if it is skis or snowboards.

Typically, the process can vary from $15 to $60. However, if you want to rebuild your skis, that is much more expensive as you are basically buying a new pair of skis.

The Bottom Line

Remounting is an easy thing to do on your skis, no matter the reason, and is a service offered at most ski shops with a ski servicing department.

It is important to allow a professional to remount skis on your behalf as this will reduce the risk of injury when you are skiing as they will know how to secure and position the bindings properly.

Hopefully, this article has answered the most common questions about mounting and remounting skis. We’ve chosen the video below to help visually explain the process.