Can you drill new holes in skis?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 07, 2026
A small change in boot fore/aft location is totally within spec for ski performance, and as long as the edges of your new holes are a few millimeters from the old, you'll be fine drilling and using the new ones.
Can you reuse ski mount holes?
As long as the threads are not stripped, it's okay to reuse the ski binding holes. However, using marine epoxy and stuffing steel thread wool into the binding holes help in eliminating the problem of stripped threads.
How many times can you drill holes in skis?
How Many Times Can I Remount My Skis? Most professionals would recommend not remounting a ski more than 3 times. You can remount your skis several times, but each new mounting point should sit far enough away so that the drilled holes are at least 8mm away from the previous holes.
How do you put screw holes in skis?
Plugging the unused screw holes is critical to keep snow and water out of your skis core material which can freeze, expand and cause major damage. Drop a dab of waterproof binding glue into the unused binding screw holes then firmly tap in a hole plug with a rubber mallet.
Can you're drill skis?
Can I remount my skis on my own? You can BUT we highly, highly, highly, highly recommend that you DO NOT! While the process itself seems somewhat simple, a trained and certified professional will know how and where to drill the new holes, fill in used holes and perform a full safety check.
15 related questions foundHow long do skis last?
The average skier replaces their skis every 8 years but your skis peak performance diminishes after 100-125 full days of use – that's five years if you ski 20 days a year.
Can I put new bindings on old skis?
Q: Can I mount new bindings on old skis? A: Yes, it is possible to install new bindings on skis that have already been drilled to accommodate different bindings. However, you will probably have to drill new holes in your skis to accommodate the new bindings.
How close can ski binding holes be?
They concluded 7 mm center-to-center, which is only about 3 mm material between holes. The old rule of thumb of 1 cm center-to-center seems more than enough. I would think this depends heavily on the build of the ski.
Do skis come pre drilled?
Most of the newer products now built by ski manufactures have an integrated binding system or are pre-drilled by the factory requiring only assembly with a large Phillips screwdriver to install bindings onto your skis.
What are quiver killers?
Quiver Killer binding inserts are installed into your skis allowing you to easily remove and swap bindings between skis using only a screw driver. Why binding inserts? Quiver Killers make a bomber connection to your ski giving roughly twice the strength of a regular binding screw.
What to fill old ski binding holes with?
I usually fill the old holes with something like JB Weld or epoxy steel, and poke steel wool in the hole as well. It's important to fill the holes completely with some sort of hard filler, do so by poking the epoxy and wool in with a small probe such as a tiny drill bit.
What is the purpose of the ski break?
The brakes stop the skis from sliding away when they are left on the snow, and stop the skis from sliding too far if you crash and your skis release, although in some snow conditions this doesn't always work as effectively as it could.
Can you reuse screw holes?
Assuming that the screws don't feel loose when you remove them due to inadequate length or pilot holes that are too large, you can reuse the holes.
How often do you replace ski bindings?
But, generally speaking, 150 days is a reliable guideline. So, if you average 30 days of skiing each season, plan on getting a new pair every five years. Last, the underside of the boot is crucial in the boot/binding/ski interface. If it's worn down, that condition can impact how well the binding does its job.
Can you mount ski bindings in the same holes?
As long as the holes aren't stripped, you should be fine. Drill the plugs out, re-tap to clean them out, and mount bindings. If the holes are stripped out, they can be heli-coiled and then have your bindings mounted.
Can ski bindings be repaired?
Slightly bent poles can be repaired, as can missing pole baskets. Bindings that are too old should be replaced. Your ski shop can provide guidance on which models of bindings have aged out.
How much do ski bindings cost?
Ski Bindings
Beginner bindings will cost anywhere from $100 to $200 on average. Expert level bindings can be over $500. Depending on the shop you buy from, you may need to pay a bit extra to have your bindings mounted to your skis.
What size are ski binding screws?
All binding screws are standard diameter, 5.5mm. All Adult screws are made to penetrate the core 9.5mm , youth screws 7 or 7.5. The only difference is if the ski had a metal layer or not. If you tap your holes you don't need to worry about compressing core material.
Are 20 year old skis still good?
Imagine you have 20+ year old skis, you used them 7-10 days a year, so the total work days would be 200-300 days. Can you still use them? If they have no major delamination, cracked edges, broken sidewalls, then yes.
Is it OK to store skis standing up?
DO STORE IN DRY AREA Your skis and boards could be stored standing upright on the tails or on their sides in a damp free environment. A great storage place could be under your bed, or in the corner of an interior closest in the house. DO NOT store in the garage, damp basement or attic.
Are 20 year old ski boots safe?
Most people don't like to change ski boots often, though there is always a limit. We are talking about boots that are 15-20-plus years old. Shell: If you see cracks in plastic, your soles are worn out and won't have good contact with the binding. If buckles are broken and nonrepairable, go to a ski shop.
Are new skis worth it?
A brand new pair of skis can cost a small fortune, and if you will ski just one week over a year, you may not get your moneys worth. The good news here is that they will last you an awfully long time – decades even – which will save you money in years of rentals.
Should skis come off when you fall?
The first rule for falling with skis is when possible: always try and land with your skis on the ground. Chances are if you're a new skier and not jumping off objects then once you start to fall, you'll either land on your side, back or front.
How tight should ski boots be?
Ski boots should be snug, but not too tight that they are painful. With your foot in the liner in the shell, there should be enough room around the toes that you can wiggle them back and forth, and the toes should be slightly touching the front of the boot when the heel is all the way back.