Kitvore.com

Kitvore.com

Specs that matter. Gear that fits.

Ski Bindings · Climbing Aid / Heel Riser · None

I only ski at the resort — do I need bindings with climbing aids or heel risers?

No, you don't! If you're strictly a resort skier who rides lifts up and skis down, bindings without climbing aids are exactly what you need. In fact, virtually all standard alpine bindings come with no climbing aid — it's a feature designed specifically for backcountry touring, where you're hiking uphill on your skis.

Climbing aids (also called heel risers or climbing bars) lift your heel during steep uphill skinning to reduce calf strain. Since resort skiers never skin uphill, there's zero benefit to having them. They'd just add weight and complexity you won't use.

If you ever decide to venture into the backcountry later, you'd need a touring-specific binding with climbing aids. But for lift-served skiing, stick with a traditional alpine binding — they're simpler, often more durable, and typically offer better power transfer for aggressive downhill skiing.