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Backcountry Skiing Bindings

Virtual Museum (collection index)

Through years of testing and product development, backcountry skiing bindings have progressed from simple cable bindings to engineered machines that represent state-of-art materials science and mechanicals. This collection of backcountry skiing bindings covers the full historical range of modern bindings.

Emery Chrono 1991
Backcountry Skiing Alpine Touring Binding

As early Dynafits came on the scene, other binding makers tried to enter the lightweight game. In 1991 the Emery Chrono was a contender, and somewhat popular among the fanatic light-and-fast crowd. While basically a plate (frame) binding, the Chrono had one incredibly innovative feature: A vertical heel release that was built into the heel clamp lever, with spring tension provided by rubber bands. Check it out.

Emery Chrono backcountry skiing binding.

Complete Emery Chrono binding shown above. Binding is in tour mode with climbing lift in up position. Please click photo for larger version or click here for zoom presentation.
 
Emery Chrono rando binding heel clamp.
Heel clamp shown above. Note black rubber band that provides safety release tension for backcountry skiing. You add rubber bands to increase release tension. Check out our video to see how it works. I doubt anyone has ever invented a ski binding vertical release mechanism this light.
 
Emery Chrono mode change unit.
To change between touring and downhill with latched heel, these pins slide in and out of holes in the bottom of the binding plate. The same system is used on Emery's other model binding from the same period. Video shows how it works.
 
Emery Chrono backcountry skiing binding toe.
This backcountry skiing binding's toe jaw couldn't be simpler -- just an aluminum wing that you raise and lower using shims. Plus-minus adjustment shown at top is for side release tension that uses an ingenious combination of ramp and vertical compression spring. When the jaw rotates, it climbs up a ramp and thus meets resistance from the spring, creating release tension. While not ideal in terms of elasticity and friction, this weighs a fraction of most other toe-wing style release systems.
 

In all, we're still amazed that a plate binding could be made this light in weight. While probably not suitable for high energy extreme skiing, the Chrono no doubt stood steed for many excellent tours in the early 1990s.

Weight (one binding with screws and adapter): 17.2 oz, 488 gr

Thanks goes to David Erskine for donating these bindings to the WildSnow collection.

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