Replying to Mounting Points along the Sidecut (hope this helps a bit)

People keep asking where to mount their skis, how to decide, ect. Here is a mini calculus lesson that will attempt to explain how mount lines are decided.

As you may know, skis have an hourglass shape, some more defined than others. The arc that is created is called the sidecut. The sidecut radius is measured by the radius of the circle that would be drawn if the sidecut continued. There is a mathematical equation to define this circle, and its midpoint. The midpoint of the sidecut does not usually match up with the center of the core, or Core Center.

Traditionally the mounting line puts the center of the boot at the center of the sidecut. This could mean anything from 0-10cm behind the core center based on how wide the ski is at the tip vs. the width of the tail. Most park skis have a rather equal sidecut, so the standard mounting line is only a short distance (say 5cm) from the core center.

Some skiers prefer to have the same amount of tip and tail, mounting the center of the boot at the core center regardless of the sidecut. By moving further away from the sidecut midpoint it becomes more awkward to ski outside of the park, especially in moguls or powder where a rider may prefer to have more surface area out front to keep the tips up.


Many ski companies today have taken rider preference into consideration and added multiple mount points. For traditional skiing, I would suggest mounting on the standard lines. As I said before, most park/freeride skis are rather straight and equal, which compensates for the sidecut and allows a more centered stance. Mounting a few cm forward will allow for a more balanced stance which a rider may prefer for jibbing/jumping.

For basic all mountain riding, including mad jibbing and fun in pow and trees, I would recommend mounting dead center between the core center line and the center of the sidecut. This will help balance the ski giving slightly more tail, without being too far in front of the sidecut and creating drag, as the edge continues inward under foot then proceeds back out again )( make sense?

The best way to find out where you want to mount is to demo the skis first. A demo plated binding will usually allow the user to move both toe and heel pieces. You can move them around a bit and align your boot center in multiple places along the ski, then measure to where you feel the most comfortable.

Here is a list of a few Liberty Riders and where they mount their new Liberty KGB Pro Twins.

Spinks (me!): 1.5cm behind Cab Forward line, 2.5cm forward from Standard mount line (Park/All Mountain)

Charlie Macarthur: 2cm behind Cab Forward, 2cm forward of Standard. (Park/All Mountain)

David Bird: 3cm behind Cab Forward, 1cm forward of Standard. (All Mountain/Pow, Cliffs and Trees)

Dave Lesh: Right on Cab Forward line (Urban Jibbing/Park)

Hopefully this helps explain how mount lines are derived and encourage you to go try different positions when you DEMO SKIS BEFORE YOU BUY THEM!!!!!

Peace!