How do you rate your own skiing skills?

Beginner:

You've just started skiing or have not skied for a very long time. You prefer alpine skiing and you feel most comfortable on blue slopes. Your skiing day average is not above a few days per season (under 10 days).
A beginner-level boot will be the right option.

Advanced:

You have been skiing for several years and have gained some experience. You feel at home on red slopes and do not stop before hitting a black one. Occasionally you drop off-piste looking for some powder lines. Your skiing day average is above 10 days per season.
An advanced-level boot will be the right option.
 

Professional:

Skiing is your passion and you cannot imagine a life without it. 
You feel comfortable in all conditions and are safe on all slopes. You love hard pack as well as steep powderlines. Your skiing day average is above 15 per season.
An expert-level boot will be the right option.

What exactly is a pin-binding?

A pin binding is a special type of touring binding, especially suitable for longer ascents. Pin bindings require special inserts from your boots in the toe and heel section, in order to enable the binding to “hold” your boots properly. Not all boots are compatible with pin bindings.

What is the difference between a pin and a frame binding?

The frame binding is similar to alpine bindings and therefore offers an easy entry and optimal power transmission, but you will have to rise a part of the binding with your shoe. These bindings can be used with almost all types of boots. Furthermore they can be adjusted to your individual DIN settings.

In the case of the pin binding, the boot is fixed at the front with two pins, which requires special inserts. Depending on the model, there is a normal heel or a heel with two pins at the back, which also requires special inserts on the heel section of the boots. During the ascent only the shoe is raised, the binding remains flat on the skis - and this generally safes weight. The boot must be pin-compatible and a setting of the individual DIN values ​​is usually not possible.

Uphill - or downhill: what are your preferences?

What does ascent-oriented mean?

If comfort and performance on the ascent are more important for you than your equipment´s downhill performance, you'll be among the ascent-oriented touring skiers. Very light equipment is most important for you. The downhill performance of your skiing equipment comes second-rank. Reaching the summit as fast as possible is what you are looking for.

What does descent-oriented mean?

If an excellent downhill performance of your set-up is what you are looking for, you are definitely a descent-oriented touring skier, who will not be scared of carrying up a few grams on top, in order to not sacrifice any fun when skiing down. The weight of the equipment is second-rank, your goal is a perfect experience on the descent.

What does Allrounder mean?

An allrounder hikes up on slopes as well as in the backcountry. Your ski boots should offer the best possible comfort in the ascent as well as good performance when skiing down.

What are the most specific differences in the available telemark binding systems?

What is an NTN binding?

The NTN binding (New Telemark Norm) no longer needs a characteristic beak on the telemark shoe. The binding grabs the boot right under the ball of the foot. Entry and exit are easy and comfortable.

For telemakr-tourers there is also an alternative NTN-PIN binding, perfect for ascent and descent.

What is a 75mm binding?

The 75mm bindings have two types of cable ties, and 3-pin set-ups. They offer optimum power transmission and very high lateral stability. But your boots must have the charecteristc telemark "beak" in front of the toe section.

What does "flex" mean?

The ski boot Flex-value describes the stiffness of the shaft in forward movement. This "flex" is meant to allow you to transmit your leg´s power to the ski´s balde or tip. The softer the flex, the more freedom of movement the ankle joint has - which simply feels more comfortable.

If the flex is too soft, the power dissipates making it more difficult to turn the ski, furthermore a more "unstable" feeling will be the result. The harder the flex, the less movement the ankle has, providing more stability at the same time. If the flex is too hard, the power can not be transferred to the ski. Therefore the flex-value should not be too soft or too hard. Your personal parameters entered in our skiboot finder will determine the flex-value of the recommended boots.