What Is a Moveable Binding on Cross-Country Skis?

If you’ve recently purchased cross country skis with moveable bindings, you may have noticed that the bindings aren’t fixed in one place on the ski like they used to be. Instead, they are designed with the ability to slide forward or backward on a plastic mounting plate built into the ski.

This feature isn’t a gimmick — it’s one of the most useful tools for fine-tuning how your skis feel on snow, especially in this era of skin skis.

Understanding when and why to move your binding position helps you get better grip, glide and control so your skis work for you the way they are meant to.

How Binding Position Works Relative to the Balance Point

Fixed bindings are mounted so the binding head is over top of the balance point of the ski. This is the spot the ski naturally balances when supported at its centre.

Moveable binding systems allow you to slide the binding forward or backward relative to that balance point, changing how your weight is distributed over the camber (bow shape) of the ski.

Small changes can make a noticeable difference in how your skis behave:

• how easily they grip
• how smoothly they glide
• how stable and controllable they feel

Most major ski brands have their own plate/binding systems which are often not interchangeable. However almost all of them have this movability feature, although the actual mechanics for moving each binding differ. Most systems use numbered markings to show the level of adjustment (such as +1, +2, or -1, -2 etc). These numbers show the binding position relative to the balance point (0) of the ski.

Classic Skis: How Binding Position Affects Grip and Glide

Moving your binding on a ski influences how much pressure you put on the tip (front part) of the ski, and where that pressure comes down over the camber of the ski.

Moving the binding forward on a classic ski causes pressure over the front end of the camber, where your grip zone is (whether that is grip wax, fishscale pattern, or a skin). This results in more grip.

Binding Forward: More Grip

When the binding is moved forward of the balance point:

• more weight is applied to the front of the grip zone
• kick becomes easier and more secure
• useful for beginners, if you're getting tired, or firm snow conditions
• the trade-off is slightly less glide

Binding Back: More Glide

When the binding is moved back behind the balance point:

• pressure is taken off the front of the grip zone
• skis glide more freely
• best for good technique, flatter terrain, or fresh snow
• too far back, however, and you may struggle to get enough grip

Why Binding Position is Especially Important on Skin Skis

With a waxable ski you have the ability to choose how sticky a wax you want for grip, and how long a wax pocket you wish to have. You do not have this control over your grip and glide with a skin, as it is not adjustable. Therefore binding position is your ticket to fine-tuning how much grip and glide you want with a skin ski.

Skin skis are especially sensitive to binding position, and small adjustments can dramatically improve how they feel. This is one of the biggest advantages of modern binding systems when they’re set up properly.

Binding Position on Skate Skis: Control vs. Glide

So how does this work with skate skis that have no grip zone? Skate skis use moveable bindings differently than classic skis. Here, it’s less about grip and more about control and ski feel.

Binding Forward: More Control

Moving the binding forward:

• weights the ski tip, improving edge control
  
• helps the ski track and respond more predictably
• this can be especially helpful for newer skate skiers or in firm conditions
• too much forward may make the ski tips "plough" however, slowing you down

Binding Back: More Glide

Moving the binding back:

• takes pressure off the tip
• allows the ski to glide more freely
• can feel smoother and faster in good conditions
• if moved too far back, however, the ski may lose tracking and feel unstable

When and Why You Might Adjust Your Binding Position

With new skis we recommend positioning the binding at the neutral balance point of the ski (0) so you can get a feeling for the ski first. The skis may feel fine at this binding position, in which case there is no need to move the bindings forward or back.

If the skis don't feel quite right, try adjusting the bindings to get the amount of grip and glide that is comfortable for you. Everyone's technique is different - some people shuffle ski, and some have an aggressive and powerful kick action - and the way you ski will determine what's a comfortable binding position.

Conditions are another variable that affects how much grip and glide you want. Fresh snow for example has very sharp snow crystals that tend to "grab" the ski, so your skis may feel slower than usual. On a fresh snow day you may wish to move your bindings back temporarily for extra glide. On hard pack transformed snow you may need extra grip.

Terrain is another factor. You may want extra grip when skiing hilly courses, or extra glide when on flat courses.

Remember, there’s no single “correct” position — just the position that works best for you on that day.

Getting Help with Binding Setup

If you're not sure how to adjust your bindings or if you’re unsure how your skis should feel, that’s completely normal. We are always happy to help if you have questions.