How to Mount Kids' Snowboard Bindings

Your child just received his first snowboard and is ready for the big trip out to the mountains. The last little item on the to-do list is mounting the snowboard bindings onto the board. As a skier, you're not quite sure how snowboard bindings need to be mounted. Since your child isn't too experienced, he can't offer you much help as to proper placement. Don't worry, mounting bindings is a simple matter of determining a few factors and inserting a couple of screws.

Things You'll Need

• Large Phillip's-head screwdriver (#3) Mounting hardware (discs, screws, washers)

Instructions

1. Determine which foot goes first. Your child will be goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward). If she's never ridden before, it might be a little unclear. A simple test is to have your child stand with her back to you, both feet together. Give your child a gentle push and the foot that she falls on should be the front foot on the snowboard.

2. Verify the left and right bindings, and set up on the board accordingly. Bindings are curved on the inside of the foot much like a shoe or boot. The plastic ladder straps are usually located on the outside of the bindings.

3. Determine the stance width. You want the width to be an inch or two wider than your child's shoulders. Have your child stand in front of the board and line the bindings up with the proper mounting holes that correspond to the correct width. Keep the bindings centered on the snowboard.

4. Determine the stance angle. This will be the trickiest part since your child probably has no preference and there are many different options. A good start for beginners is to angle the front binding about 10 to 15 degrees pointed toward the front tip of the board, and the back binding 0 to 5 degrees pointed toward the tip.
   Some argue that a duck stance in which the front binding is angled toward the tip and the back binding is angled toward the tail is optimal for beginners. Here we recommended the former with both bindings being angled slightly forward. Use the degree markers on the mounting disc to set the angles. Each marker is equal to 3 degrees.

5. Insert the screws. With the angle set and the bindings lined up with the appropriate insert holes, insert all screws into each binding mounting disc. The majority of bindings use either three or four screws to mount. If there are long, linear mounting holes on the discs, mount them so they are perpendicular to the edge of the board. This way you can slide the binding toward the toe or heel edge to adjust. Be sure to use the washers that were included.

6. Before fully tightening down all the screws, insert your child's boots into each binding, and make sure that they reach as closely to each edge as possible without hanging over. Slide the binding toward the heel or toe edge, if needed, double-check that the angle is still correct, then tighten down all mounting screws.

7. Fine tune. Be sure to discuss the mounting with your child after she's had a chance to ride, and make sure that it's comfortable. Also, if your child will be taking a lesson, ask the instructor for any recommendations based on what he sees from your child. Sometimes, a little fine tuning is necessary to get the most comfortable binding position. Unfortunately, this varies for every rider, but it need not take too long to establish it.

Tips & Warnings

• Binding screws often come lose. Use Loctite for a more secure mounting.