How to Mount Fritschi Bindings

While it is advisable in most cases to hire a reputable ski shop to mount bindings, with patience and the right tools a handy skier ought to be able to complete the task at home in about 20 to 30 minutes. Often the hardest part of this job is mustering the courage to drill into a new ski, but by carefully following the directions that follow, mounting Fritschi bindings is quite straightforward.

Things You'll Need

• #3 pozi-drive
• Electric drill and 5/32 inch bit
• Electrical tape and clear tape
• Center-punch
• Ruler
• Tape measure
• Fine-point marker
• Epoxy or wood glue
• Paper binding template
• Scissors

Instructions

Make Your Marks

1. Find the mid-sole on your ski boots. Usually this is marked with a line or small arrow on the boot, but if not, simply measure the distance between heel and toe of the boot and mark halfway.

2. Find the mounting point on the ski. This is will be marked with a line near the center of the ski.

3. Mark the center of the ski, running from tip to tail. To find the middle of the ski, wrap a piece of paper around the ski, creasing it over the edges. Remove the paper and fold it in half. Replace it over the ski, using the center fold as a guide, and mark the ski center.

4. Insert boot into binding. Place boot and binding on ski, and align boot sole center and ski mounting point. Carefully mark the location of the binding screw holes on the ski.

5. Repeat this same process for the other ski. Place both skis side by side and verify that the marks are lined up evenly.

The Template

1. Download and print a binding template from: http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/fritschi-freeride-mount/fritschi-freeride-template.pdf

2. Line up the template on the front binding screw holes marked earlier on the ski. Using a center punch and hammer, mark a sharp divot at each screw hole marked on the template.

3. Using a binding screw as a guide, place a mark or small piece of tape on the drill bit to ensure you do not drill too deeply into the ski. Drill each hole as marked previously with the template.

4. Line up the heel module and check that the binding engages and releases smoothly. Mark and drill holes for the heel unit.

5. Put a small amount of epoxy or wood glue in each hole, place binding over holes, insert screws and tighten by hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to measure twice and drill once. Check that the binding is aligned on the ski before drilling.

• Be careful not to drill too deeply into the ski. Do no over-tighten the screws.

References

• Fritschi Binding Template

Resources

• Wildsnow.com