Here are some suggestions on how to best set-up your
alpine gear!
Length
and Flex:
For giant slalom I ride a 185cm. 21 waist width Burton
Factory Prime and a 163 cm. 21 waist width Burton
Factory Prime in slalom. It's important to pick an
appropriate length and flex for your size and weight.
If the board is too stiff it won't bend properly in
the turn to permit a clean arc. If it's too soft you'll
fold it under pressure and go over the bars. Pick
a good medium flex pattern that works well in soft
and hard conditions, and not too long for the designated
discipline.
Angles:
As for stance, I would suggest riding as shallow of angles
as possible without overhang. I ride 57 degrees front foot
and 54 degrees back foot for giant slalom on a 21waist width
board. I've got big feet! In slalom I can go slightly shallower
with a 54 degree front foot position and 51degree back foot
stance. I believe that if you go too steep with you binding
angles it limits your versatility and balance. As a general
rule of thumb if you can't ride powder on your alpine gear
you're angles are too steep or your board is too narrow.
Canting:
My front binding is positioned flat on the board and my rear
binding has seven degrees in-ward canting with heel lift.
This is what I would suggest, but I know lots of top riders
that ride with toe-lift on their front foot and perform well.
"Gas pedals and high heels," as Kevin Delaney used
to say. My binding stance width is 19.75, shoulder width apart
or slightly wider.
Positioning:
I suggest between 2-4 centimeters back of center in giant
slalom and 1-2.5 cm.'s back of center in slalom. I ride 2.5
centimeters back of center in giant slalom and 1 cm back in
slalom.
I hope this helps you when setting-up your gear!
See ya out there!
Length
and Flex: