Some folks think I’m nuts, but I have just as much fun visiting ski touring equipment factories as I do Europe’s historic cities, lakes and mountains (though the ultimate gasthaus might be superior to any of those). The Fritschi plant in Switzerland looks, well, Swiss. Clean and well lit, lots of space. Binding parts everywhere along with specialized assembly machines and jigs, much of the stuff made custom in their own machine shop.
The release checker in video above is important. They run every binding toe through it and record the results. Serial number is stored along with the numbers in a database. We watched several tests and the results were impressively consistent. Way closer than what I recall the DIN/ISO binding standard allows for variation.
Where is the Vipec ski touring binding? Can you spot the telemark binding? Ever use it?
Aha, a Vipec backcountry skiing toe in 'walk' mode, with small white plastic tab (circled) jammed in slot to block play in the binding.
Play that the 'lockout' blocks is caused by the release mechanism. Shown here, the 'carriage' that slides left and right, allowing the binding to open up and hopefully prevent things like ripping ligaments.
At this station in the plant, the Vipec toe carriage gets more assembly. Manufacturing of individual binding parts happens around Europe, final assembly is at Fritschi facility here in Switzerland.
Brakes for Diamir ski touring bindings, similar selection will be available for Vipec, only with Vipec you'll simply swap in the metal arms.
The 3-D printer. These things are so radical. Soon just about anything you buy will be printed at a local location? Even ski bindings?
Ah, lunch. One of the best potato soups I've ever had and the historic gasthaus wasn't too shabby. During these press trips we appreciate being hosted to authentic local cuisine, even if it seems a yawner to the locals.
Brakes? We have brakes!
Screws? We have screws!
Assembly of this backcountry skiing binding is mostly a hand process, automation of this is quite difficult.
Yeah, we published this before but did it again. The adjustable toe pin on Vipec is factory set to what Fritschi feels is the 'standard' pintech width dimension. And indeed, it IS adjustable because no real standard exists.
In our Switzerland hotel we watched watch wide-screen TV, it's tuned to the Fritschi binding safety release checking machinery. Seriously, anywhere in the country you can hit channel 142 and see the Fritschi release checker, real-time action. See video above for an example. Remember, channel 142 for binding checker action!
Each binding is packed with a user manual stamped with the binding serial number. This occurs after the safety release check, the data set of which is stored for later retrieval if for example someone does get hurt while using a binding.
Packing is done by hand, carefully arranged.
Heel unit, showing the length adjustment 'forward pressure' spring.
Reception area has a nice historical display.
The binding toe side units (wings) are pressed from hollow aluminum pieces, very strong.
Since the question keeps coming up, another photo of Vipec in walk mode showing how the small white plastic tab inserts into a slot and blocks some of the toe carriage movement. Again, know that this is NOT a release lockout, the binding can still easily safety release in tour mode.
The usual CAD action we see during most industry visits, but it always looks good.
And finally, what I was told is an injection molding masterpiece.
In all, a fun visit that inspired a lot of confidence in what Fritschi is doing with tech ‘pintech’ backcountry skiing bindings.
13 comments
Interesting report. Did they allow you to see all that you desired? No verboten zones in the factory?
I would let others adopt and user-test the bindings for at least 2 seasons. With such a new approach and change of paradigma, there is a great chance that reality will reveal unknown imperfections.
Yes, I am one of Tristep owners;)
Matus, they were quite relaxed. Perhaps put a few things away before we got there, but it was yes, relaxed. Nice guys. Fun. Lou
Skyhoy telemark binding right in the middle of the first photo. I skied them once. Not bad for resort skiing. The design was way ahead of it’s time, although durability issues killed it.
Only moderately nuts for enjoying the binding factory visits, the needle starts to head up the scale when you are watching it on TV at the hotel.
I’d visit a binding or ski factory at the drop of a hat, though there would be a lot of withering looks if I tried to take my wife with me.
Frame, good on you for catching the joke. Let’s see if the Fritschi boys catch it (grin). Lou
Amazing the apparent depth of that owner’s manual. Some similar pintech bindings have reduced the manual to virtually no useful information–and they used to come with mounting instructions (no more). Can’t wait to see these Vipecs in a couple seasons. Oh, and I did see a pair of Tri-Steps in use in Montana recently. Guess a few survived unscathed.
I too skied some skyhoys. I think they might still exist up in the barn somewhere.
I too had the Skyhoys. I liked how they skied. I found the brake to be near impossible to step into so ended up running them with leashes. They were way ahead of their time.
Soon after the Linken binding hit big popularity and I moved to them, better for touring.
What’s truly impressive are the amount of machine tools in your hotel room along with the binding checker TV. In the US, all I ever get is a little coffee machine. Must put visiting Schweiz on the to do list.
wow, Skyhoy’s and a Gurten beer in the same post…..only on Wild Snow!
I love all the info on this site about these bindings. One of the only places online right now with actual hands-on experience. So my real question for you, Lou, is this: given your ski tour with these bindings, combined with the factory tour, would you be an early adopter? I understand the risk with “first-run” products, but somebody has to do it, right?
I need to replace an old Fritschi Freeride rig for a big trip this spring, and already use Radicals on another setup, but a lot of the features in these bindings seem really appealing. How comfortable would you be using these on a multi-day trip? Any concerns about the amount of plastic vs metal? Other thoughts? Thanks.
I’d never use a first-year product on a multi-day trip. That’s just plain dumb in my opinion, looking at past history of nearly all binding brands… sad but true.
Regarding plastic. Know that many of the failures in past bindings have been the METAL parts. It’s not a matter of plastic vs metal, everyone needs to get over that misconception about materials engineering.
Lou
I have a problem with crampons and ski brakes on Vipecs. Mounted them on Live Free 191, 120 mm width. Had to manually bend skistops – they fit now, Crampons slide down, but they touch edges – will not work in snow. They rate them 120 in US, but 115 in Europe – they really are 115. I wonder, will they make 130 available, like Dynafit does?
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