Before hitting the slopes on your next skiing adventure, you need to set up your equipment correctly and ready for you to tackle the slopes.
Skis and the way they fit or are bound to your ski boots are arguably the most important aspect to having a safe and comfortable ride.
Mounting skis is the process of attaching the bindings (the part of the ski that holds onto your ski boots) to your skis. Ski bindings are very different from snowboard bindings and require specific equipment for each.
Remounting 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 a bit forward or backward on your skis).
How Do You Mount Your Skis?
Many skis have integrated bindings which are already attached to the skis-thus making choosing a ski for your purpose relatively easy.
After installing the bindings, they need to be adjusted by sliding the toe and heel piece onto the rails according to the length of the sole of your ski boots.
This is done by placing the boot on the binding and ensuring that the front of the boot is pressed into the place where the toe piece lies.
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 is in contact with the heel of the boot.
Release the locking mechanism and make sure that the binding is secure and does not move.
If the skis do not have integrated bindings, it is highly recommended that you ask a professional at the ski shop to help you set up your gear, as it needs to be installed properly to avoid serious injury.
When Should You Remount Your Skis?
People remount their skis for one of two reasons. First, they are going up a boot size-this could be due to growing or other physiological changes.
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.
Sometimes, skis need to be remounted when the bindings are older and have worn through.
If you’re planning on skiing a lot of powder, then you might want to consider replacing your skis every season.
If you’re planning on skiing hard pack, then you might want to keep your skis for one season.
How Often Can You Remount Skis?
Skis can be remounted several times, however, the industry standard is that a ski should not be remounted more than three times before they are 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 put 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 its integrity. In reality, mounting twice will NOT be a problem and the ski can easily handle this.
Why Should You Remount Skis?
Skis should be remounted when there is a specific reason to do so, usually because people outgrow their ski boots.
Forward Remounting
This is done when a ski is too stable and hard and not responsive enough for the moves that you are wanting to make while skiing the slopes.
Forward remounting is also done for those people who want to engage in powder skiing and therefore require extra flotation.
Backward Remounting
This is done when the ski is too responsive for your style of skiing, and you would prefer a more stable or harder ski.
It is also done for growing kids and needs to accommodate a growing boot size.
Therefore, just because your kids are growing, it does not mean that they need to get new skis every time they go up a boot size.
Instead, their skis can more often than not be remounted to accommodate their bigger boots.
Other Remounting
Another reason for remounting-either forward or backward remounting, is when you have bought used skis which need to be adjusted to accommodate your boot size.
Usually, the ski bindings can be adjusted by one boot-size up or down without having to drill holes.
If the size is more than two sizes up or down, then a remount is necessary and should be moved either forward or backward depending on whether they are being remounted up or down a boot size.
What Are The Benefits Of Remounting Versus Replacing My Old Skis?
There are two main reasons why you’d want to remount your skis instead of just buying new skis.
First off, if you’re planning to get into skiing more seriously, then you’ll probably want to invest in new skis that will last longer than what 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 looking at upgrading your current set of bindings, then you could potentially benefit by switching over to newer models.
The newer models of bindings provide better support for your foot, as well as make it easier to adjust the tension of your boot straps.
How Do I Know When It’s Time To Replace My Old Skis?
The first thing to do is take a look at how much use your existing skis are getting.
If you’re skiing all winter long every single day, then it’s likely that your skis are wearing down faster than they would otherwise.
So if you notice that your boots are rubbing against your skis, or that your edges are becoming duller, then it might be time to upgrade.
Can I Remount My Skis On My Own?
Remounting skis yourself is possible, and there are many how-to guides out there on how to do it.
However, it is not recommended to do so. 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 needs to 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.
If you are really keen for a DIY project, it is best to trial out the process on some old skis first and then get those approved by a professional.
Once this has been done, you may attempt to do this on a pair of skis you are actually going to use and get a professional to check these again.
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 correctly fill the hole. Holes in skis are commonly filled in with plugs, glue, or epoxies.
There is a debate on what the best method of filling holes is, but most professionals believe that waterproof ABS plugs are the best.
This is because of their all round flexibility and durability even in low temperatures. They will not become brittle or stiff, either.
If holes on a ski are not filled correctly, the wood of the skis can become waterlogged and swell up the ski, which will cause your ski to become damaged overtime.
What Is The Difference Between A “Remount” And A “Rebuild”?
A rebuild is when the entire ski is replaced. A remount is when only the binding is changed.
The main reason why people choose to rebuild instead of remount is because the cost of rebuilding is usually less expensive than remounting.
However, if you’ve got a couple of small holes in your bindings, then you’ll want to remount rather than rebuild.
When you rebuild your skis, you’re basically putting new parts onto an old frame. This means that your skis will still wear out over time.
Even though the new parts are stronger than the original ones, eventually your old skis will break down.
When you remount your skis, you are simply changing out the binding. This means your current set of bindings will last much longer than your old pair.
You will need to purchase a new set of boots to go along with your new bindings. If you decide to rebuild your skis, then your boot(s) will likely need to be replaced at the same time.
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 that is 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 a common practice in the skiing community, and 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 is generally dependent 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 in cost from $15-$60. However, if you are looking to rebuild your skis, that is much more expensive as you are essentially buying a new pair of skis.
The Bottom Line
Remounting is an easy thing to do on your skis, no matter what the reason, and is a service that is offered at most ski shops that have 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 properly secure and position the bindings.
Hopefully this article has given you some answers to the most common questions around mounting and remounting of skis. Happy skiing!
