– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Written by Lou Dawson

Fritschi Freeride Plus – Backcountry Skiing Alpine Touring Binding

by Lou Dawson November 8, 2015
Fritschi Freeride Plus – Backcountry Skiing Alpine Touring Binding

Shop for Fritschi Freeride

The first production models of the Fritschi Freeride Plus were released during late winter 2006. The binding is an incremental improvement in performance, with a red plastic base plate that’s mostly cosmetic but might have a slight effect in terms of binding stability during aggressive skiing. On the test bench this binding is virtually identical in side twisting flex to the previous model Freeride, and weighs one ounce more per binding. No doubt responding to several years of complaints by skiers of the Fritschi “back seat” feeling, the Plus has slightly more ramp angle (toe lower then heel), and ramp angle can easily be increased by mounting without the front baseplate. As of 2015 this is quite humorous, as the usual desire is for less ramp, rather than mor.

Complete backcountry skiing binding shown above. Red parts are the "Power Transmission Control." Click photo to enlarge.

Complete backcountry skiing binding shown above. Red parts are the “Power Transmission Control.” Click photo to enlarge.

Red device on heel latch is the excellent "anti insta-tele" feature.

Red device on heel latch is the excellent “anti insta-tele” feature.

Former Freeride bindings would sometimes come unlatched when the ski flexed during aggressive skiing. This was caused by the tabs on the sides of the catch sliding back and forth and eventually popping out from under the part meant to hold them. The new feature allows the catches to remain engaged with with the latch while everything else moves. Check out the video.

Another view of the ant insta-tele feature, showing the red plastic tabs engaged under the latch.

Another view of the ant insta-tele feature, showing the red plastic tabs engaged under the latch.

Detail of anti insta-tele.

Detail of anti insta-tele.

Bottom of heel unit showing legs (with holes) that rest on ski. These are farther apart and longer than those of previous models, and are said to make the binding more stable.

Bottom of heel unit showing legs (with holes) that rest on ski. These are farther apart and longer than those of previous models, and are said to make the binding more stable.

Rear base plate. Legs fit on outside of ribs, binding rail fits in the central slot. Again, the idea is to make the binding more stable but bench testing shows little difference between this model and previous.

Rear base plate. Legs fit on outside of ribs, binding rail fits in the central slot. Again, the idea is to make the binding more stable but bench testing shows little difference between this model and previous.Rear base plate. Legs fit on outside of ribs, binding rail fits in the central slot. Again, the idea is to make the binding more stable but bench testing shows little difference between this model and previous.

Front plate is totally cosmetic. The binding can be mounted without this for more ramp angle, though this model has more ramp angle than previous models. For a deeper look at this binding see Inside the Freeride Plus.

Front plate is totally cosmetic. The binding can be mounted without this for more ramp angle, though this model has more ramp angle than previous models.

For a deeper look see our Inside Freeride Plus post.

Weight: One binding with screws, 36 oz., 1022 g

Fritschi Freeride Plus thumbnail.

Fritschi Freeride Plus thumbnail.

Share
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Recent Comments

  • sherpa on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review
  • Zach on Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A
  • Nate Porter on Surf and Float — Voile HyperCharger Ski Review
  • OMR on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review
  • Nate Porter on Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review

Gear Reviews

  • Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

    January 14, 2021
  • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

    January 12, 2021
  • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

    January 5, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top