What's the DIN all about?

Have you ever bought skis/bindings or tested a pair of skis, only to be asked what your DIN setting is? Or have you been asked questions about your height and weight, do you really have to share that? Well, the answer is yes and it all comes back to setting your binding correctly for your skiing ability.

The DIN, or the Deutsche Industrie Normen setting, on bindings is a determination of how easily the binding and subsequently the ski will release if you fall. The DIN was set by the German Institute for Standardization and is a scale that was adopted by the ski industry to determine the release force of ski bindings. And this is important in preventing injuries when skiing.

While I will tell you how to determine a DIN, I'm not going to really tell you how to set you DIN. This is because, in all honesty, this is not something you should be messing with on your own. To change your DIN, go to your local ski shop. They are the experts for a reason...

Binding Toe piece

Binding Heel piece

To find the correct DIN for you and your ability a number of factors are considered. First off your hight and weight are considered. This is based on the fact that a larger person will put more pressure on the binding than a lighter person. So a taller or heavier person will have a higher base DIN setting. You age is also in there as a factor. This is because when younger you might need the binding to release easier (sooner in a tumble). Also as you age and your bones and joints can't take the same force, you need your binding to release sooner.

Another factor considered is your boot sole length. This is a measure of how long your boot is from heel to toe on the outside. This number is in mm (millimetres) and is written somewhere on your boot. This measurement comes into play as it a factor in torque. Larger and smaller boots create different levels of torque on the binding as affect how easily it can pop off.

A final competent for determining your DIN is your ability. Skiers how are more cautious and ski at a slower rate have a lower DIN setting. More aggressive skiers, who ski faster will have a higher DIN setting. These levels of ability are ranked into a “type” of skier chart and used to help determine your setting.

Here's a summary of the types:

Type 1 - Cautious skiing at lighter release/retention settings.

Type 2 - Average/moderate skiing at average release/retention settings.

Type 3 - Aggressive, higher speed skiing at higher release/retention settings.

Type 3+ - For skiers who desire visual indicator settings higher than settings for a Type 3 skier.

Type -1 (neg. 1) - For skiers who desire visual indicator settings lower than settings for a Type 1 skier.

And here's a copy of a chart that is used you determine your DIN:

Finally, here is a quick link where you can enter your data and get a sense of you DIN setting.

                           DINsetting.com

So what all this means is that with a lower DIN setting your ski will release more easily. This is a great thing for a person skiing slowly, and who weighs less. When you fall and have a lower DIN setting, your ski will release easily and without a lot of pressure and twist. This is beneficial at preventing injury from a ski being attached to you while you tumble.

A DIN on the higher range means that the ski will stay attached to you. This is great for a more aggressive skier, who is pushing their limits and skiing lots of variable terrain. This also means that you wont pop out of you ski. We've all experienced this, where you're happily skiing and all of a sudden your ski is no longer attached to you. While, a higher DIN setting helps prevent this. But this also means that your ski doesn't come off as easily when you fall, so there is an increased risk of injury from your ski still being attached to you as you tumble down the hill.

And there you go, a brief breakdown of DIN and what it's all about. I know I've not told you how to adjust this, and as I said before, that's for a reason. It's for your safety as you really shouldn't be messing around this with on your own. If you feel that you DIN needs adjusting based on what I've said or the link I've shared with you, please visit your local ski shop. They will be happy to help you and help to ensure that you really are riding at a safe DIN level.  

Seeing the sights in Smith I/O goggles

Ignitor Mirror lens

I had the chance to take a pair of Smith I/O goggles out for a test run a few times recently. These goggles come in a variety of looks. The ones I was testing our were the Charcoal Batik - black and white band with mainly black detailing. These are a frameless goggle that have a quick release lens system to allow for efficient changing of lenses. They even come with two pairs of lenses, so you can buy a lenses for different sun conditions. You can always buy a few more pairs if you want really specific lenses for different light, or if you sadly scratch a lens.

Smith considers the I/O to be a medium fit goggle. I found them a bit big on my face. They sat nicely against my helmet, they are advertised as being helmet compatible. But I found that they sat low on my checks and over my nose. They weren't so low that it made breathing annoying, just low enough to notice the fit. I did adjust to the fit and was less bothered by it as time went by, but they were big. But there is a bonus to the large size, they have an amazing field of view. With the frameless design and the large size, I could see everything. There was no interference from the goggle in my field of view. I really enjoyed this aspect of the I/O.

Red Sensor Mirror lens

One thing I did note about this goggle was how cold my face got at one point. We were riding the chair with a strong wind blowing into our faces. With the frameless design there is a lot more venting and this meant that the wind was blowing right into and through the goggle. Not much fun. While I can say I didn't enjoy the goggle at this moment, it's also not an issue I had when skiing. I never left that they were windy or cold when I was moving. Like I said, the only time I had this issue was when we had a strong head wind. But it is something to note and consider.

During my test days with the I/O I had the opportunity to give two lenses a preview. I was lucky enough to test out the Red Sensor Mirror lens and the Ignitor Mirror lens. Both were great lenses.

The Red Sensor Mirror is a lens for all light conditions that has a strength in falter lights. As the name implies there is a rose tint to the goggle. As with all rose tints, you notice it a lot when you first put them on, but adjust to the colour tint in no time. I was wearing these lenses just the other day when we ran the range of sun. Bright sun, to overcast, to snowing. In all situations I found that I had fairly good definition. And I can tell you that the light was quite flat when the sun left and the snow started. I really enjoyed this lens and the definition it gave me. A good option to have in your pocket.

The other lens I tested was the Ignitor Mirror. This lens is meant to be a bit more of a broad spectrum lens. Smith states that it enhances contrast and depth perception. I tested this lens when there was variable lighting, but nothing too flat. Overall, I really enjoyed this lens and the visibility that it gave me. I felt that I had good definition and was able to easily visualize the terrain I was skiing.

My final take on the Smith I/O is that it's a great goggle option. If you have a larger face or enjoy larger goggles give this one a thought. There are a number of goggles in the I/O line so if you have a smaller face, but like what I've been mentioning, give the Smith I/OS a glance. Or if you want something even bigger than the I/O, take a look at the I/OX. Smith really has you covered with the I/O series. If you want to go for all the bells and whistles, take a look at the I/O Recon – I think I would find this one overwhelming...

The Goods:

-medium size

-great field of view

-helmet compatible

-come with two lenses

-quick release to make lens switches easy

-lifetime warranty

The Not-So-Goods:

-a bit big for my face size

-frameless set-up allowed for lots of air flow and a cold face in certain situations

Heads down...

The final ski brand that I tested on demo day was Head. I had the chance to test out two skis that day, but sadly, I can't say that I've saved the best for the last.

The first Head ski I rode that day was the Total Joy. The Joy line is a new series that Head is bringing out for the 2014/15 ski year. The dimensions for this ski are 133 tip, 85 underfoot, 113 tail and is considered an all mountain ski. The ski has good, basic graphics – white background with a nice blue detailing. As well, this ski comes with a binding that it well matched colour wise. Overall a good looking setup.

When I started out on this ski, I felt okay with it. As I picked up speed and started to put the ski through it's paces, I felt like the tune was off. I can't say for sure if the tune was off or if it was simply that the ski was not wonderful. I found that the Total Joy edged easily enough. It didn't take much to get the ski to carve a turn. It was also easy to transition between between big and small turns. But, I still felt like there was something off about this ski. I just felt like the ski wasn't doing exactly what I wanted and also like the ski had it's own plan for the run, and not at all what I was wanting.

Overall, I really didn't enjoy this ski. And based on the difficulties I had with it, I really can't think who I would recommended it for. I can't see a beginner having much luck on this ski and based on my results with it, I'm not sure a more advanced skier would enjoy it either.

The Goods:

-good colour and graphics

-great ski binding match

-responded easily

-all mountain

The Not-So-Goods:

-tune felt off

-ski didn't respond as excepted

-really didn't enjoy my ride on this ski

-can't recommend

The other Head ski I rode that day was the Super Joy. Another new addition to the Joy lineup for 2014/15. This ski has a darker graphic – black background with a florescent yellow detail. Again, the binding matches the ski very well. I'm not a keen on this skis colours , but it does work well enough. The dimensions for this ski are 128 tip, 75 underfoot and 108 tail. The Super Joy is considered an all mountain ski.

I have to admit to feeling about the same for this ski as I did for the Total Joy, maybe a bit worse. When I went to turn the ski it really popped around, especially at the end of the turn. I could see that this ski would be easy to overturn, which is not necessarily a good thing. I also felt like I was catching my edge or tail. Again, maybe the tune was off on the ski. But this is not a good feeling when you are testing out a ski. I actually had to pull up and drop some speed when I came to one face as I felt totally out of control, not something I felt the need to do on any other ski that day. My overall experience on this ski was not good and I was more than happy to hand it back after my testing.

As with the Total Joy, I'm not really sure who I would recommend this ski for. If the issues I had are the ski, and not the tune, than this could be a tough ski for a beginner to ride. And a more advanced skier would have a hard time with it as well. Again, really just didn't like this ski.

The Goods:

-decent colour and graphics

-great ski-binding match

-all mountain

The Not-So-Goods:

-tune felt off

-ski felt like it was overturning

-really didn't enjoy my ride on this ski

-can't recommend  

Super fast Salomon W-24

Can you believe I still have skis to talk about from my demo day? Well I do. I'm such a lucky girl to have skied so many skis that day.

I want to tell you about a Salomon ski to rode that day. It's the Salomon W-24. This is a new ski to the Salomon lineup for the 2014/15 year. This ski is listed as an All Mountain Front side ski. It has a carve rocker and a semi-twin tip on a wood core. The W-24 comes in a few lengths, I skied the 160cm ski. Its curves are 120.2 tip, 71 underfoot, and a 101 tail.

The graphics of this new ski are pretty basic – black background with just a hint of colour on the tip and tail.  Even though I love colour, the graphic somehow really work. It makes the ski look very sleek and sexy. Not a bad descriptive in my world.

I quiet enjoyed this ski – once I let it do its thing. When I first took it out, I tried to ski it slowly. Not a good idea. When moving at a slower speed I found the ski sluggish, hard to edge and turn. Needless to say I was a little unhappy. Then I stopped to considered the type of ski I was on and decided to let the ski run a bit and thus picked up some speed. When I did this the W-24 came alive! At a faster pace the ski carved wonderful turns. I simply had to put in a bit of effort and the ski carved a nicely shaped turn. It did medium sized turns with ease, as well as bigger radius turns. At these faster speeds the W-24 became very responsive. There really was not much effort needed to get the ski to make the turns I was asking of it.  Simply enjoyable and energizing.  

I only had the chance to ride the W-24 on groomers, so I'm not sure how it would react in the choppier stuff. With it's need for a faster pace it might be a tougher ski to ride in these areas.  But until I take it out again in these areas, I really can't say for sure.  And I will be taking this ski out again.  So, if you are a mainly groomer kinda girl that is looking for speed and responsiveness in a ski, than the W-24 might just be the perfect ski for you.

The Goods...

-sleek graphics

-fun, fast ski

-great turns at a fast pace

-responsive

-great on groomers

-intermediate to advanced skier who likes to go fast

The Not-So-Goods...

-sluggish at a slower speed

-not the best ski for a slower skier

K2 Magical Fun

During my demo day the K2 rep and I had some fun with ski selections. I tested three skis and fell in love with one of them. Two of the skis I tested were new to K2 – the Potion line. It's a great new line with a wide variety of skis.

The first ski I tested was the K2 Potion 84. This is a new ski for the 2014/15 ski year which K2 has classified as an All Terrain Rocker ski that is meant for all mountain and free ride skiing. The Potion 84, as with all the Potion skis, get their Potion number from the width underfoot. You guessed it, this ski is 84 underfoot. It had a tip width of 128, and a tail width of 112. I rode the 160cm length, which had a 14m turn radius.

I liked the graphics of this ski. Dark, simple colours, but the swirling adds a nice depth to the visual appeal. I think they have done a good job in designing the visuals of this new line-up.

The Potion 84 is a responsive ski, fairly easy to turn when put on edge. There were times that I felt I had to work the ski a bit to get it to bite, this was mainly on the icier sections of the hill. But I liked the turns the ski made and felt that it was a good intermediate ski. The ski flexed well and the rocker allowed the ski to react like it was shorter ski.

I didn't get to take this ski into more choppy terrain, but from what I experienced I think that it would be fun in these conditions. The Potion 84 is light weight enough that it would make some good turns in choppy snow, but has the width underfoot to allow it to float.

The Goods:

All terrain

Responsive

Intermediate ski

Good graphics

The “Not-So-Goods”:

Hard to edge on some terrain – icier areas

Not overwhelmed by the ski – maybe a bit boring

The other ski I rode in the Potion line up was the Potion 90. The ski is again listed as an all mountain ski, but also comes touring ready – for those added parts you need to tour. I rode the 163cm ski, that has a turning radius of 15m. It had measurements of 132 tip, 90 underfoot (had you already guessed that one?), 115 tail.

The graphics of this ski are much brighter than the Potion 84 – which I really liked. They have a darker background, but lots of colour on top. Green, purple, and a few shades of blue all swirled together. In the end it creates an eye-catching look.

Now that I've laid out the details of this ski, I can let you know how much I loved the Potion 90! I ended my time on this ski grinning from ear to ear. It was a super fun to ski to ride. It was responsive and turned really well. I only had to slightly edge the ski for it to react with gusto. By no means did it over-turn, it just responded really well and quickly. I rode the Potion 90 fast and it gripped the snow really well, giving me total control.

I would love to get my hands on this ski again to take it into powder and loser snow. I imagine that it's light weight and ability to react will make it very fun and versatile in these snow conditions.

The Goods:

I loved this ski!

All terrain – it would be super fun in the choppier terrain

Responsive and agile

Intermediate/advanced ski that will have you smiling

Great graphics and colours

The “Not-So-Goods”:

huuummmmm, can't really think of one...

The final K2 ski I had the luck to ride on demo day was the K2 Remedy 102. This is a ski in the current K2 line-up that has received some tweaks for the 2014/15 ski year. One of note is the tapered tip that still allows for float, but also allows the ski to cut nicely through deeper snow and chop. They have also changed the graphics for this year. The ski is now mainly a green colour with some blue on a darker background. Not sure that I love the new colouring, but there are more important things to a ski than colour, right?

I skied a long ski (170cm), but it is available in a size that I would be better suited for (163cm). At the 163cm length the ski has a turning radius of 16m. The Remedy has the following dimensions: 131 tip, 102 underfoot, 125 tail.

I found the Remedy to be a large ski, good for big sweeping turns – remember that it has a 16m turn radius. While the Remedy was great for big turns, it took some work to do shorter radius turns. Not surprising when you consider the turn radius and the length of ski I was riding. I also found that when I tried to power the Remedy 102, I didn't get a great ride on the ski, physically draining and unresponsive. As soon as I relaxed and let the ski do the work I found it much more fun and it carved enjoyable turns.

I think that this would be an enjoyable ski to get into an open bowl, but sadly I only tested it on groomers. This ski is considered an all terrain ski, but I think that it's strength lies in deeper snow and chop.

The Goods:

All terrain

Tapered tip update

deep snow and chop

good for big sweeping turns

The “Not-So-Goods”:

Not in love with the new graphics

sluggish at quicker turns