One of the most important components of skis and ski boots are the bindings that hold the two together. Without whole and functioning bindings, your ski boots won’t adhere to your skis properly.
They might come undone while you are in the middle of an intense ski down a double-black diamond course, and that can be extremely dangerous.
There are also other issues with ski bindings that may arise. However, the main question of the day is how long these bindings last for. I’ll answer this: why they deteriorate, how to tell if you need new ones, and how to choose your next set of ski bindings.
What Are Ski Bindings?
The bindings on skis are the connection points between the skis and your ski boots. When you have your ski boots on, and you clip the heel and toe of your ski boot into that mechanism on a pair of skis that holds your ski boots in place, these are the bindings, those clips.
These are designed to keep your ski boots firmly attached to the skis even when moving at high speeds.
They’re also designed to keep you safe by allowing your boot to disconnect from the skis in the event that too much lateral pressure is applied to the front of the boot or too much upward force on the back of the boot.
If bindings don’t keep your boots in place, this can be very dangerous, especially if you are in the middle of a run. This has happened to me last season and I went flying, which is extremely dangerous.
I started to wonder if my old skis, but more specifically, my old bindings, were the issue at play.
How Long Do Ski Bindings Last?
Exactly how long ski bindings last depends on a variety of factors, which I will discuss in detail.
In short, the average lifespan of ski bindings is between 150 and 200 days of full skiing, which is about 3 to 5 years of regular skiing.
If you ski just 10 or 15 days of the year, they could potentially last for up to 15 or 20 years, although that is admittedly a bit of a stretch, as age also plays a role in other lasting factors. Let’s take a look at the main factors that determine ski binding lifespan.
Frequency of Use
How often you ski will determine how long the bindings last. As mentioned above, they should last for up to 200 days.
If you ski 50 days per year, they might only last 2 to 4 years. If you ski only a few days yearly, they might outlast you. The more something is used, the faster it breaks, also there is more of a chance that they get damaged during use too.
Conditions of Use
The conditions that you use them in can also play a role. If you are skiing over extremely rough terrain, hitting jumps, going over moguls, and generally being rough with them, chances are the bindings will break much faster than if you just ski leisurely down a mountainside.
The weather can also play a role here. Ski bindings are generally made out of plastic and metal, and both can only handle temperatures down to a certain point. Extreme cold can make both metal and plastic become fragile over time.
Care and Maintenance
Just like with anything else out there, the better you care for and maintain the ski bindings, the longer they’ll last for. If you bring your skis into a professional shop on a yearly basis for some maintenance, they’ll probably last much longer than they otherwise would.
Why Do Ski Bindings Deteriorate Over Time?
If ski bindings are so well built, then why do they start to break as time goes on? There are actually a few reasons.
Wear and Tear from Use
The main reason why ski bindings start to deteriorate over time is due to simple wear and tear. The more you use your skis, the more pressure and stress you put on the bindings.
The harder you are on your skis, such as if you are skiing very rough terrain, the faster they’ll break. This is not unlike any other product that you might purchase. The more you use it, the faster it breaks down.
Effects of UV Exposure and Freezing Conditions
As mentioned above, extreme cold can make plastic and metal quite fragile over a prolonged period of time. If there is a lot of extreme cold, especially if moisture regularly freezes to various parts of the bindings, it will cause them to deteriorate much faster.
UV exposure can also play a role here. UV rays break down various substances, and over time, can cause plastic and other materials to weaken. If you’re constantly skiing in extremely sunny and cold conditions, chances are those ski bindings won’t last nearly as long as they otherwise would.
Mechanical Stress
Ski bindings have to handle a lot of mechanical stress. They have to hold all of your weight in place securely.
Furthermore, if you’re really rough and bail often, it will cause them to break faster. Every time the ski bindings are forced to release the boots when you bail is an instance where they suffer stress and pressure.
Potential Risks of Worn-Out Bindings
Skiing with bindings that are worn out is very dangerous. They won’t hold you in place properly while you ski and may release unexpectedly. In some cases, worn out bindings may also not release you when you bail, which also comes with a risk of injury.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Ski Bindings
There are some telltale signs that it’s time to replace your ski bindings, so let’s take a look at the main ones.
Visual Inspections
Do some visual inspections to see what kind of shape they’re in. If you see visible wear on the plastic or metal parts, cracks, rust, or any other type of damage, a replacement is called for. Don’t keep skiing with bindings that are visibly damaged.
Performance Issues
If you’re having difficulty getting the bindings to lock your ski boots in, or you’re having trouble releasing your ski boots when you want to step out, it might be a sign that it’s time to replace the bindings. If the bindings release your ski boots in the middle of skiing, and there was no cause to do so, it’s another sign that the replacement is imminent.
Age
Even if your ski bindings look alright, once they reach a certain age, they might become obsolete or just stop functioning properly. If your ski bindings are over 10 years old, it’s probably time to consider replacing them or just buying new skis as a whole.
After a Heavy Impact
If the skies suffered an extremely heavy impact, even if there is no visible sign of damage, you might want to consider replacing them. Bindings are designed to keep you safe, so it’s essential that they are in working order.
Have Your Bindings Checked by Professionals!
If you’re unsure whether or not the bindings are still usable, your best bet is to go to a professional ski shop and have them inspected by an expert. They’ll be able to tell you whether or not the bindings are still good or if they need to be replaced.
How to Choose New Ski Bindings
There are a few important factors to consider when choosing your next pair of ski bindings.
They Style and Type
There are six main types of sea bindings to consider, including alpine, integrated, frame, tech, telemark, and cross-country. Each type is designed for a specific purpose, and we recommend looking into this in much more detail. Each type of binding correlates to a specific type of skiing and ski level.
Compatible with Your Boots
Not all types of bindings work with all three boots, so make sure that the two are compatible with each other. You don’t want to buy a pair of bindings just to realize that your boots don’t fit into them.
Boot Size + Age/Height
Bindings also come in different ratings based not only on boot size, but also your age, height, and weight. If you’re a 250-pound person, getting bindings designed for a 100-pound child will not work properly and will wear out quickly.
Bindings designed for much smaller and younger people usually release with much less pressure than those designed for older and heavier people. How well bindings perform for your specific case depends on this heavily.
Have a Professional Install Your New Bindings
Unless you are a trained ski maintenance technician, there is no good reason why you should install bindings yourself. These are mechanisms that keep you safe, and they can be rather difficult to install.
Never try to do this yourself unless you plan to pursue becoming a ski maintenance technician; then you should work with an expert to fully understand what you need to do to install ski bindings.
Related Ski Bindings Questions:
What Should You Do with Your Old Ski Bindings?
If the ski bindings are no longer functional, the only option is to throw them out. You can offer them to a ski shop to see if they can be reused, as they are the ones who would know if they can be saved or not.
Is it OK to Buy Used/Second-Hand Ski Bindings?
As long as they are in good condition, and as long as you’ve had them inspected by a professional, then yes, it is alright to use second-hand ski bindings. The downside is that you are unsure of the condition until you try them out or if an expert has guaranteed you that they are in good condition.
Furthermore, you do not get any warranty on second-hand ski gear, meaning if you go out and use them for the first time and they break, you can’t return them for your money or for another working pair. Just something to consider if you plan to spend a lot of money on ski bindings.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!