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There are
a number of AT binding
options available and
valid reasons for
choosing any of them.
We’ll give you the best
reasons for buying each
model that we carry.
The most popular is the
Fritschi system which
has toe and heel
release, is a step-in,
will accommodate either
AT or Alpine boots, and
does not require the
user to get out of the
binding when changing
modes from uphill to
downhill (or
vise-versa). Because
this system is so like
an Alpine binding, it is
easier for most people
who started on Alpine
skis and bindings to
relate to.
Fritschi offers a couple
of options. You can
choose a binding that is
lighter and more touring
oriented (the Express),
or a heavy-duty binding
that comes with ski
brakes and is stout
enough for use on
groomed snow (the
Freeride). The Freeride
is a bit heavier and
more expensive.
There are two excellent
alternatives available
to the Fritschi, and
they are functionally
quite different. The
Dynafit system is
significantly lighter.
Oddly enough, it has a
better track record in
durability (at least in
our shop’s experience).
Many of the Canadian hut
guides use them because
of their reliability and
lightweight. They often
do 4,000 to 6,000
vertical feet a day
throughout the winter
when they are with
clients… a pretty strong
endorsement! There are a
few things to be aware
of with the Dynafit
bindings. They require a
boot that is compatible
with the binding, and to
transition from downhill
to uphill, it is
necessary to release
from the binding and
then reattach the toe.
This is a little more
problematic for people
who don’t use them very
often. The toe of the
boot is held to the
binding by stepping into
the toe mechanism, which
closes crab-claw-like
pinchers into small
metal holes. This does
take a bit of practice
and is particularly
tough in soft snow. One
final thing: the toe
piece can ice up in wet
snow in such a way that
prevents the “crab
claws” from closing on
the boot. As long as you
know to clean the ice
out in those situations
it is not a large
problem, but it can be
very frustrating to the
uninitiated. Put this in
your column of “get
familiar with your gear”
before you go deep into
the field.
Another excellent choice
is a Silvretta binding
called the Pure. This
binding is between the
Fritschi and the Dynafit
in weight and offers the
ability to use the
binding with not only AT
boots but some
mountaineering boots as
well. This is a
particular bonus for
people who like to
backcountry ski and
winter climb. Bear in
mind that the release is
extremely unreliable
with any welted non-ski
boot.
While all of the
bindings mentioned are
DIN standard, AT binding
release is not as
sophisticated or
reliable as Alpine
binding release. It is
important to ski more
conservatively in the
backcountry for this
reason, as well as the
fact that you are a lot
farther from medical
assistance.
These are the major
options and can cover
just about any
backcountry challenge
that a skier (or
climber) can throw at
them!
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