Is it hard to adjust ski bindings (DIN & pressure)?

Question

So I've ordered skis and adjustable bindings from levelninesports and I'm not going to have any time to take them into the shop before catching a plane to CO. I'd rather not spend time on-site getting these worked. The skis will not need waxing, but I'll need to adjust the bindings to fit my boot (I know that's pretty easy) and the DIN & release pressure. Is the latter adjustment hard to do? I found the number that I need them adjusted to on the web, just don't know how. I'm a beginner/early intermediate skiier. Skis & bindings are arriving Thursday night & I'm getting on the plan Friday afternoon. I already had the boots (prior to ski purchase). Just wondering if this is something I might be able to convince my husband to do - with instructions. We're going to Breckenridge. Thanks!

Answer 1

It is very easy to do,  but,  for safety sake I would advise yoiu to bring the skis and bindings to a ski shop and have them fitted and set for the proper settings.   An injury is not worth saving a few dollers or an hour or too of skiing time.  Trust me.

Answer 2

I've been skiing and teaching for 40+ years, until about15 years ago I'd adjust my own with out a care. The new bindings are more dependent on the forward pressure and the DIN both being correct so I now take them to the shop every year just so I don't have a failure at the wrong time.

  Spend an hour if you need to have them adjusted, pay the fees. It's cheaper and less painful than a fracture or a bad sprain which could end the whole trip on the first run.

   The shop also will verify the calibration of the binding for reliable release at the proper setting.

Answer 3

Hey Willie D

How do you know the binding even WORKS,

what you say is very irresponsible and dangerous

Spend a few bucks at Maison De Ski in Idaho Springs, CO.

right off highway 70 on the way to all of the ski areas, including Breck

They will set and test your bindings and give you a free wax for 10 bucks, it takes 5 minutes, why risk it

And if any of your group needs to rent they are 50% less than the mountain rates and they will avoid the crowded mountain shops

Also you can get your lift tickets there for a substantial discount as well and avoid the lines, Brecks tickets are cheaper there than the Peaks discount on multiday and include days at Beaver Creek and Vail

( Which I would really recommend a day at Beaver Creek )

only 20 minutes but a very upscale experience, you'll love it

The Ritz at Bachelor Gulch is spectacular and the skiing is devine - lots of groomed blues

Have a GREAT TIME the snow is PERFECT and lots of it

Answer 4

You can adjust them on your own, but they won't be tested and if you fall and hurt yourself, you have no one to blame but yourself.  Skis have to be tested in stores for torque and whatnot, so it is important to get them tested at a ski shop.  Not only does it test that the DIN is set correctly, it also test to make sure the binding is working properly.  You will not have the right equipment to test this!

Just remember, it's your knees if you s***w up your setting and don't release properly!

Answer 5

yes just go to your local ski shop

Answer 6

It is very easy to do. Most bindings only require you to need a screwdriver. If you know how to move the rear binding to make it fit your boot, then adjusting the DIN is a simple task. Just find the DIN adjustment place on the binding and adjust it until the indicator tells you you are at the right number. Some bindings use a phillips head s***w, others use a straight. You might find one that takes and allen wrench, but that would be rare...I can't even think of one that does...but I threw it out there just in case.

I actually applaud you for taking the time to learn how to do this. Most "advanced" skiers that post questions here don't even know what a DIN is.

Others may give you a whole line of BS about taking it to the shop and that you are putting yourself at risk....yadda, yadda, yadda. In all actuality a lot of rental techs at mountain shops have about as much training as a chimpanzee. The main guys in the shop have certifications, but most of the line workers are taught by the shop pros. If they can do it, so can you.

Have Fun.

Later:

I knew I would invoke the wrath of a few ski techs.

If you walk into any rental shop, on any given saturday, a tech will pull a set of skis, look at the rental sheet, make an adjustment or two, and send you out the door. There is nothing mystical and magical about it. It's simple mechanics. I've worked my fair share of on-snow demos adjusting and setting up both alpine and tele skis. It's not freakin' rocket science. I learned how to adjust DINs and sizes when I was 14. Anyone who can read and has access to simple tools can do it. Ski techs get all tweeked when skiers take mechanics into their own hands because it just means one less customer will be returning to thier shop for a $30 service. If I owned my own ski shop, I'd be sure to tell people that only I should work on thier stuff because it's money out of my pocket if they don't.