That's it in a nutshell, but the backstory is important and long.
I have multiple alpine skis. They are all close enough in setup that switching between them isn't an issue. My boots are Lange ZJ+ (I'm no racer, but I have VERY low volume feet).
My issue, which has opened my mind up to all sorts of further questions, is that when I switch to my new AT gear, its almost like I've never skied before. I can't get my feet behind me. When I had my old AT gear, Dynafit bindings and Dynafit boots, the problem was the opposite. That setup is known to have a dramatic ramp angle and lean. They were fine, except for the overburden on the quads, but after multiple days, I couldn't jump back on my alpine gear. I fixed them with BD shims under the toes.
So, I knew what I needed to do, and it worked. I put a heel lift and a rear spoiler in my AT setup, and low and behold, I can ski again.
My first question is this, what's the right amount of forward? I feel like I would be more chargey if I was more forward on everything including my slalom skis, but that's going to make my AT conundrum even worse.
My second question is, when do you choose a heel lift, forward lean, or change in the binding delta, making the big assumption that one you can, and two, you still have range left.
Lastly, where does boot flex play into this? I remember watching some USSA stuff that claimed that most junior racers are in boots that are too stiff limiting ankle flexion and their ability to get their feet back. That was confirmed to me by boot fitter who has worked with MANY of the US Ski team over the years. We seem to err on the stiff side, but it certainly seems, with modern skis and technique, where edge angle rather than driving the tips with the tongues is king, that erring on the soft side would be better. Assuming that to be the case, can one go too soft? Both my boots are rated 110 and feel similar.
The AT boot is a La Sportiva Spectre and the AT bindings are Hagen Core.
If you've made it this far...THANKS!!!
I have multiple alpine skis. They are all close enough in setup that switching between them isn't an issue. My boots are Lange ZJ+ (I'm no racer, but I have VERY low volume feet).
My issue, which has opened my mind up to all sorts of further questions, is that when I switch to my new AT gear, its almost like I've never skied before. I can't get my feet behind me. When I had my old AT gear, Dynafit bindings and Dynafit boots, the problem was the opposite. That setup is known to have a dramatic ramp angle and lean. They were fine, except for the overburden on the quads, but after multiple days, I couldn't jump back on my alpine gear. I fixed them with BD shims under the toes.
So, I knew what I needed to do, and it worked. I put a heel lift and a rear spoiler in my AT setup, and low and behold, I can ski again.
My first question is this, what's the right amount of forward? I feel like I would be more chargey if I was more forward on everything including my slalom skis, but that's going to make my AT conundrum even worse.
My second question is, when do you choose a heel lift, forward lean, or change in the binding delta, making the big assumption that one you can, and two, you still have range left.
Lastly, where does boot flex play into this? I remember watching some USSA stuff that claimed that most junior racers are in boots that are too stiff limiting ankle flexion and their ability to get their feet back. That was confirmed to me by boot fitter who has worked with MANY of the US Ski team over the years. We seem to err on the stiff side, but it certainly seems, with modern skis and technique, where edge angle rather than driving the tips with the tongues is king, that erring on the soft side would be better. Assuming that to be the case, can one go too soft? Both my boots are rated 110 and feel similar.
The AT boot is a La Sportiva Spectre and the AT bindings are Hagen Core.
If you've made it this far...THANKS!!!
Last edited: