Bindings & Leashes
Bindings connect your boots to your board. Properly adjusted bindings give you full control over your board. Improperly adjusted or maintained bindings are a safety hazard.
Using Strap Bindings (Most Common)
Putting on strap bindings:
- Sit or stand with the board flat on the snow.
- Insert your front foot boot into the binding, aligning the heel cup firmly against the back of the binding.
- Buckle the ankle strap first, then the toe strap. Pull each strap snug but not so tight that circulation is cut off.
- Check that the heel is held firmly — no wobble.
- Repeat for the rear binding.
Adjusting strap bindings:
- Binding stance position: The binding is mounted at a specific angle (e.g., front foot +15°, rear foot 0° or -6°). Your stance angle is set when you mount the board; you adjust straps daily.
- Highback angle: The rigid plastic back of the binding can be angled forward for more responsive heel-side turns. Most beginners set it neutral.
- Strap length: Straps are sized at purchase; adjust the ratchet so two fingers fit under the strap at full tension.
Binding Methods Compared
| Type | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strap bindings | Two adjustable straps over toe and ankle | Universal fit, most adjustable | Slower to strap in |
| Rear-entry bindings | Highback drops down, you step in and pull highback up | Very fast to enter and exit | Less adjustable |
| Step-on bindings | Boot clips directly into binding without straps | Fastest of all; clean feel | Requires specific compatible boots |
Strap bindings
- How It Works
- Two adjustable straps over toe and ankle
- Pros
- Universal fit, most adjustable
- Cons
- Slower to strap in
Rear-entry bindings
- How It Works
- Highback drops down, you step in and pull highback up
- Pros
- Very fast to enter and exit
- Cons
- Less adjustable
Step-on bindings
- How It Works
- Boot clips directly into binding without straps
- Pros
- Fastest of all; clean feel
- Cons
- Requires specific compatible boots
Maintaining Bindings
- Inspect before each use: Check straps for cracking, fraying, or broken ratchets. Check highback for cracks. Check all screws that attach the binding to the board — cold temperatures can cause screws to loosen.
- Tighten loose screws with a screwdriver or board tool. Loose bindings are dangerous.
- Replace worn straps — a snapped strap mid-run leaves you with no control over that end of the board.
- End-of-season storage: Remove bindings from the board for storage if possible. Keep them dry and away from prolonged UV exposure, which degrades plastic.
The Need for Leashes
A leash is a strap or cord that attaches your board to your boot or leg. It is required at many ski areas whenever you remove a boot from a binding — for example, while riding a chairlift with one foot unstrapped or when stopped on the hill.
Why leashes matter: A snowboard without a rider attached is a runaway sled. On a slope, a free board accelerates quickly and can reach speeds capable of seriously injuring another person. This is why Your Responsibility Code requires safety devices to prevent runaway equipment — and a snowboard leash is that device.
How to attach: Loop the leash around your front ankle or boot before clicking into your bindings. Confirm the leash is secure before heading onto a slope or chairlift.
Official Resources
🎬 Video: How to Adjust Bindings (video) — https://youtu.be/1NQ-G0qn4UA