Most people understand that movable bindings allow fine-tuning of glide and grip on skin skis, where waxing adjustments are not an option.

However, movable bindings also allow you to optimize ski performance for all types of skis: by adjusting the binding position based on conditions, terrain, and other factors, you can expand the usability of each pair of skis. This means you can manage with fewer pairs stored in your garage or shed.

How to Move the Bindings

Most modern bindings are movable and can be adjusted with a fairly simple mechanism.

For several binding types, you need to take off your skis to move the binding. Older models also require a small tool that comes with the bindings. This tool can be attached to a keychain, making it easy to access whenever you need to adjust your binding.

The newest (and most expensive) movable bindings have a “screw” in front of the toe area, allowing you to turn it one way to move the binding forward and the other way to move it backward. Rottefella’s MOVE Switch has been on the market for several seasons, and this year, Salomon/Atomic’s Prolink Shift-In has been introduced—offering their own version of movable bindings that can be adjusted without removing the skis.

Classic Skis

For traditional waxable classic skis, glide and grip are typically adjusted by how much and how far you apply grip wax. However, movable bindings allow you to further fine-tune grip and glide according to the conditions and terrain—even for traditional waxable classic skis. Moving the binding forward on the mounting plate provides better grip, while moving it backward improves glide.

If you encounter a section of terrain with steep uphill climbs, shifting the binding forward will improve grip. This way, you won’t have to stop and reapply wax, nor will you have to sacrifice glide in easier sections just to ensure grip on the uphills.

If you are approaching a flatter section of the trail, you can enhance glide by moving the binding backward.

Zero Skis / Roughened Skis

Zero skis, or roughened skis, are designed for conditions around the freezing point, particularly in situations with falling precipitation and/or very humid snow and air. Under such conditions, traditional waxing can be challenging, often leading to either icing or poor grip.

Zero skis come from the factory with a specially treated grip zone that can be roughened with sandpaper to achieve the right grip. The roughness can be adjusted with finer or coarser grit, depending on the conditions. Although less common among recreational skiers—especially since the rise of skin skis—zero skis are still used in competitive racing as they provide better glide than skin skis.

On zero skis, you can adjust grip and glide by moving the binding, just as with other classic skis.

Also Read: Train smarter, not harder: How to optimize your ski training

Body Weight

Many people think of movable bindings primarily as a way to adjust grip and glide on skin skis, where waxing adjustments are not possible, or as a way to adapt skis to different terrain. However, movable bindings offer another advantage: they allow you to adjust the ski for different body weights.

Movable bindings provide adjustment options based on body weight. If you have lost weight and struggle to get grip because your skis now feel relatively stiffer than when you first bought them, moving the binding forward can help. Conversely, if you have gained weight and your glide has worsened, moving the binding backward can improve it.

This trick works for skin skis, zero skis, and regular waxable skis alike.

Smart, right?

Skate Skis

Many associate movable bindings primarily with classic skiing, particularly skin skis. However, this type of binding also plays a crucial role in skate skiing.

When the binding is in the middle position, the ski remains neutral, functioning like a traditional skate ski with a fixed binding positioned at the ski’s balance point. By shifting the binding forward or backward, you can modify the ski’s characteristics to suit different conditions and terrains.

Moving the binding forward increases control at the expense of glide. This is useful in hard-packed conditions where glide is not a problem, but the ski feels unstable, making it difficult to maintain full weight on each ski for optimal power transfer.

Moving the binding backward enhances glide but reduces control. This can be beneficial in softer conditions or when the front part of the ski tends to “dig” into the snow, making skating more challenging.

Just like with classic skis, movable bindings on skate skis allow for adjustments based on the skier’s weight.

If you have lost weight and find your skate skis unstable or difficult to get good glide with full body weight on each ski, shifting the binding forward can provide better stability and control. If you have gained weight and feel that the ski is “digging” into the snow, moving the binding backward will help create better glide.

Children and Young Skiers

The same principle applies to adjusting skis for growing children and young skiers, whether for skate or classic skiing.

However, keep in mind that skis for younger skiers must fit correctly from the start. Proper fit is crucial for developing technique, building skills, and, most importantly, ensuring skiing enjoyment.

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