Powder Ribbons

Further to the 'Ski Web Leashes' topic, is there any reason why you couldn't have the end of the ski ribbon actually tied to your boot? Or is this a Safety Issue of some sort?

I only say this as the web link posted in response to 'Ski Web Leashes' linking to 'edgeandwax' has boot leashes on sale, which look like coiled steel wire which you clip to both your boot and ski. If this is the case is it OK to tie a tracer to your boot assuming the ribbon/web is strong enough?

I am venturing into powder soon (for the first time) and fully expect to have to find my skies and do not want to unduly hold up the party I am with.

The Powder Ribbons in the link on other thread are Pink. The others shown on the site page are for Touring Ski's with bindings that have no brakes.

It's risky to tie your skis to your boots, there is a chance that when your skis detach they will come after you. Powder Ribbons tuck up the cuff of your ski trousers, simply follow the trail back to the ski.

Bandit is so correct !
Never but never tie your "ribbon" to your boots!
The function of that ribbon is not to hold the ski down! Its function is for you to locate your ski in the powder after you fall!

Just tuck ribbon in your powder cuff ( most ski pants have one) !

Many many years ago,,,there were "safety straps",,which were NOT safe at all since they were tied to boots! Many ,may older skiers have scars on their heads from the skis whipping around after a fall !

If you fall,,,you want skis to get far away from you since it is now a weapon !!!!

The lightest,,brightest, wildest ribbon will do ! Please do not get a white ribbon !

Go to sewing shop to get cheapest !

Pavel

A cautionary tale from the 1970s before brakes were integrated into bindings and we used 'safety straps'.

I was skiing in Sauze D'Oulx on a lonely piste through the trees, fell on some ice, negotiating a steep left hander. Right ski tip dug into the snow, leaving me dangling down the piste from the safety strap. I was unable to get up and led there for several minutes until someone came to my assistance!

Powder ribbons work - I've some bright yellow ones that tuck into my ski trousers.

Thanks very much everyone for all this helpful info about powder ribbons :D

Where do you attach the ribbons on the skis and what do you do with them when you're carrying the skis?

Ally

Heel or toe of the bindings - and stick em in a pocket when carrying skis.

Thanks Lota :D

You mean untie them and put them in your pocket to carry the skis in and out of gondola's etc.? It would be a bit of a bore doing that all the time. And how long are the ribbons meant to be?

They sound like an excellent idea. I was ski-ing along in a group lesson once in powder just off the piste and we came across a kids class and their instructor who had all stopped ski-ing to look for a ski belonging to one of the kids who'd fallen over and lost his ski. We joined in the hunt as well and it took us all ages to find it - it was well buried!

Ally

A couple of lengths (1.5-2m) of brightly coloured 3mm nylon cord will do the job just as well. Just tie a loop in one end and fasten them to the bindings using a cow hitch. To go up in a gondola just wrap them round the heel and toe pieces and tuck the lose end in.