Choosing skis can be a daunting task. There are many brands with many models to choose from. How are they different? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Which of them will work with your individual skiing style? Looking up reviews and details about shape, weight, and ski feel is an excellent place to start, but the mount point is also a critical piece of the puzzle that directly impacts how a ski will perform. Furthermore, the mount point is a variable that you control. While the ski is set in epoxy, you get to choose a mount point that matches your specific style and goals.

Terminology

• Ski center: The physical center of the ski.
• Boot center: The physical center of the boot under your arch.
• Factory recommended mount point: The location on the ski where the manufacturer recommends the boot be centered when mounted.
• Pin line: This is the recommended mounting location for many race skis and is placed close to a ski's balance point.
• Forward: Distance towards the tip of the ski from the factory recommendation. Denoted as +1cm.
• Back: Distance towards the tail of the ski from the factory recommendation. Denoted as -1cm.
• Progressive: More maneuverable design characterized by a farther forward mount point.
• Traditional: More stable design characterized by a farther back mount point.

Ski Character

When selecting a recommended mounting point, manufacturers arrive at this magical location via a randomized selection process involving Gallup Polls and unsolicited toll-free phone calls. If you’ve ignored those, you’ve lost your right to complain! Well, perhaps not. The recommended mount point is usually found through a skis-on-feet iterative process until they’ve identified a mount point that performs best for a specific ski shape.

While there are some exceptions, a ski mount point is an excellent indicator of the skiing style a ski is intended for. For example, a stiff and cambered ski typically has a traditional mount point designed for those who value high-speed stability and edge control when laying the ski over. Alternatively, a softer ski with a rockered profile might opt for a progressive mount point that lets you more easily pressure the tips, release the tails, and pivot the ski, rewarding those who have a "slashy" and “playful” style.

Generally, skis with a recommended mount point of ≤-7 can be considered progressive, while a mount point of >-7 can be considered traditional. Of course, with the number of options on the market, plenty of skis are in the middle of this spectrum that can't be easily pigeonholed.

Where Should I Mount?

When mounting new skis, a common question we get asked is, "Should I follow the manufacturer's recommendation?" Our answer is yes in most (not all, see chart) cases. However, if you've already mounted your skis and aren't exactly vibing with the ski's character, you can always play with moving your mount to achieve the characteristics you're missing. We recommend no more than ± 3. If you want to go further, you likely aren't on the ski for you. Please keep in mind skis have a finite amount of times they can be mounted, so continuously remounting may shorten the life expectancy of your ski.

If you have trust issues or want to experiment with different mounting locations on your skis without continuously remounting them, there are a few options. First, you can get a rental binding, which, depending on the model, will allow you to adjust the toe and heel to achieve your desired position. Second, toe and heel plates are available for certain bindings that allow you to move the toe and heel to your desired setting.

If you want to speak about specific mounting positions for your skis, please contact us.

Methodology

Skis of noted lengths were measured with a measuring tape in an unweighted, at-rest cambered position from tip to tail. If the tail has a cut-out skin clip, it is measured to the furthest point forward in the cut-out. The factory mount point is then measured from the tip, and the distance from the tail is calculated. If a manufacturer does not mark their skis, the straight pull length is measured, and appropriate mount point data is found. The mount points below represent the average mounting location between all measured lengths. This article aims to help you find a ski that matches the character you are after, and it should *not* be used as a guide to find the mounting position of a specific ski/length.

Please note that skis of the same model and size can and do vary in length! The measurements listed here are from physical skis in the shop, with a tolerance of ±0.5mm. All units are centimeters (cm).

If you don't see your specific ski listed below, please leave a comment so we can make sure to include it. Happy hunting!