Vintage Backcountry Skiing Binding – 1970s Gertsch with Touring Adapter
Post by WildSnow.com blogger Lou Dawson | March 26, 2007
We recently acquired a vintage 1970s Gertsch binding with touring adapter. Donated to our collection by Tony Thompson of Canada, the Gertsch is primarily an alpine binding, yet by using an ingenious adapter it worked as a touring rig as well. Interestingly, this binding may have been the prime ancestor of the Fritschi models. Read more in our Gertsch Binding museum display.

Complete Gertsch binding with adapter installed shown above. Binding is in tour mode.
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Posted by Lou Dawson on March 26, 2007 | Filed Under Binding Reviews, History
Tags: backcountry skiing, Binding Reviews, Canada, Fritschi, gertsch, History, touring,
Tags: backcountry skiing, Binding Reviews, Canada, Fritschi, gertsch, History, touring,
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Comments
3 Responses to “Vintage Backcountry Skiing Binding – 1970s Gertsch with Touring Adapter”
Your Comments
- Christopher: Lisa: This seems to work well for you. Makes me think that maybe the right...
- Kristian: The picture of the fire extinguisher reminds me of the Ohio Players. And...
- Collin: Hi all...had to take a break from all the binding nonsense and actually ski...
- Jim Milstein: Since you survived your fall, Lou, I'm just wondering whether your cuffs we...
- Jim Milstein: Just curious, Lou, since you survived your fall, I'm wondering whether your...
- Lou Dawson 2: I think it could cause some wear after quite a few days, I don't prefer it....
- Lou Dawson 2: I fell today. Skiing downhill with my heels unlatched. I guess I'll never m...
- Kyle: I just purchased some ZED bindings but haven't mounted them yet as I have b...
- Jim Milstein: To Lou's question, Who falls, anyway? If it is you, stop right now! You cou...
- Lisa: Chase, total weight for my set is 3lbs 11oz. I didn’t notice the weight, p...
- Mitch: Thanks for the thorough review as usual. I've had a tlt7 for two seasons bu...
- XXX_er: hey Alberto, I figured Dynafit would probably stiff ya but thats that's gr...
- Rickardo H: Well that's all rum. Via my ski shop at home the UK rep also confirmed that...
- HBS: Why not adjust the canting of the boot instead of shimming the binding and ...
- Chase Harrison: Hey Lou, How do they perform skining up hill? Do they add weight at all...
- Lou Dawson 2: Hi Pavol, first, try using our site search function, at top of page, to lef...
- Alberto: After a couple of mails with Dynafit support they sent me 2 new Radical ST ...
- Pavol: Hi Lou, can you expand on your comment about use of ramps and shims with te...
- Kyle: That's fantastic that the device is letting you ski pain free, a great gift...
- Lou Dawson 2: Seemed ok in that regard David, though of course the rod and spring cartrid...
- DavidB: Hi Lisa / Lou, if you were skiing the mojo inbounds on firm snow and crashe...
- Jim Milstein: Ditto Kristian. The other day I popped in the cramps for the first time. T...
- Kristian: I use the ATK Trofeo elevators as opposed to rotating the binding also. Th...
- Jim Milstein: This season I am using the ATK Trofeo, which really has but one heel height...
- VT skier: John B, I regularly ski inbounds, at the resort, on a similar AT binding t...
- eric: https://www.folksam.se/media/S40056-folksam-ski-helmet-test-report-2019_tcm...
- Kristian: Chemical battery technologies like lithium can hold more energy, but they h...
- Joe John: Ha ha! Way to go Lou. My knees probably will need a pair soon!...
- Lou Dawson 2: After I right-click translated, it seemed to default to English, or else Go...
- Christopher: Apparently hoji is compatible despite what was dynafit repsonse in a previo...
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Hi
Just responding to your request for Gertsch touring adaptor info.I came across a set in my garage the other day,you are welcome to them for your collection.
Gertsch plates were very popular in Scottish ski resorts in the 70s for the ski hire trade and the adaptor plate gave the binding a ski mountaineering application.There was a ring with a keyed bit that went over the spring tube
on the front of the binding when you turned it downwards it locked the adaptor in place.(hard to describe)
I realise it was about 5 years ago that you requested these but thought I woul;d offer anyway.
Regards
Steve
I had a binding like this for alpine skiing made by Besser. I do not know if the binding was picked up by them or simply re-branded but I was quite surprised to meet someone with a set of Voile bindings using the same plunger set up, just with the Voile name on it. The parts are identical. My binding was the plastic version.
In my experience, I had one binding release prematurely on a slope while skiing at speed which resulted in me breaking my hand in the ensuing crash. Fortunately I did not get whacked in the head or get a twisting fracture of my leg since there were two safety straps, one at each end. Upon examining the bindings, I also found the toe piece of the binding that had not released, had broken instead. Not exactly the “safest binding on the market” to quote the salesman at the ski store. I still have some of the parts kicking around the basement. The stainless steel friction plates make pretty good base scrapers!
I bought a pair of skis with these bindings on , second hand, from an instructor at Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, in about 1980. I first used them with my leather winter climbing boots then upgraded to some cheap ski touring boots with Vibram soles.
They did release and they did give enough control to be able
to ski with. And I managed to sell them to someone else when I moved onto new skis with a pair of Marker bindings.
What more do you need!!