How Can You Tell Which Is Left and Right on 75mm Cross Country Bindings?

Traditional 3-pin bindings, also called 75mm or Nordic Norm, are completely symmetrical. They do not have a left or right. For casual skiers, who tune both left and right skis identically, this isn't an issue. More advanced skiers normally tune left and right skis differently, doing more aggressive beveling on the outside than the inside edges. If you do this, you will need a method of distinguishing left from right ski.

Things You'll Need

  • duct tape
  • electrical tape
  • key or nail
  • red nail polish
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Instructions

  1. Identifying Left and Right Skis

    • 1

      Place two small pieces of duct tape or electrical tape in the pattern of the letter "L" just in front of the binding of your left ski. Always tune the marked ski as a left ski with a more beveled left edge and flatter right edge, and tune the unmarked ski as a right ski, with a beveled right edge and flatter left edge.

    • 2

      Make an "L"-shaped scratch on the metal toepiece of your left ski, using a nail, key or other sharp implement.

    • 3

      Paint an "L" on the binding of your left ski with bright red nail polish or a paint specifically designed for use on metal. The best position for this is the outside left wall of the binding, where it won't get abraded by your right ski.