How ironic that this thread has resurfaced after going dormant nearly two years ago. When I created this thread I was trying to figure out what to do with my now non-indemnified bindings on perfectly good skis. The experts on this board convinced me there was likely nothing wrong with my bindings. Alas, I was not comfortable trying to remount them myself so I figured, why not demo new skis and see how the newest models felt with my new boots? Just a couple weeks after my post, while on day three of demoing skis in my brand new boots, I fell on steep terrain in icy conditions. Wearing skis fresh from the factory with never-before used, fully indemnified bindings, my left binding failed to release as I slid and tumbled, unable to arrest my slide. I ended up with my first ever skiing injury: a compound tib/fib fracture. Three surgeries later, countless hours of PT, and with a lot of hopeful optimism, I’m preparing to finally return to skiing this winter. I’ve got some new hardware: titanium reinforcement in my lower leg and new skis that are about to be mounted (yes, new fully indemnified bindings).
It just makes me think how silly the whole indemnification thing is. I don’t think there was anything wrong with my old bindings. Nor do I think there was anything particularly wrong with the bindings that failed to release and caused my injury. This is a sport with certain inherent risks. Modern bindings are amazing safety devices that have prevented countless more serious injuries…. But they aren’t perfect. Sometimes your luck just runs out. Thank God for the amazing ski patrol, the paramedics, everyone in the ER, my incredible orthopedic and plastic surgeons, my physical therapists. I get to ski again! Perhaps a bit more cautiously at first.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Edit: most importantly, thanks to my wife who took care of me for months while I was non-weight bearing, and at the onset of pandemic lockdown no less. Somehow she has agreed to let me ski again, though she’s convinced I’m crazy ;-)