Ski binding settings

I recently fractured my tibial plateau when I fell awkwardly on an easy blue run. The ski bindings didn't release, which resulted in me dragging my skis with me when I fell and my left ski dug in and torqued my leg in an awkward position. Now as I recover from surgery to insert a metal plate I have lots of time to think. I'm curious about whether the bindings might have been set too "firm" or whatever the technical term is. When renting the skis I was honest about my weight and ability level, not overestimating my ability or underestimating my weight. I want to make sure that when I return to skiing next year (not put off by my accident at all) if I should be asking the hire shop to set the bindings at a particular setting or if it's safe to leave it to their judgement. The setting was between 7 and 8 on a 10-point scale. I took a photo but it didn't come out very clear.
Any opinions out there from experienced skiers?

Hi
Just read your thread but you haven't stated what your weight is or your ski level

Firstly, sorry to hear you got broken and all the best for a speedy recovery!

acarr wrote:Any opinions out there from experienced skiers?

As birdymiller says, weight, ability (and height) are all important; but a correctly set modern binding should release when you need it to and not when you don't - so if it didn't release when you "fell awkwardly on an easy blue run" then you're right to ask why.

It's a good idea to know your own optimum DIN setting and give your skis a quick visual check every time you click in (or collect them from the hire shop). There are various guides online and if in doubt, chat to a ski tech so you know enough that you can tell the shop how to set your bindings.

Thanks for the input so far. Height 5' 7, weight 85kg, ability not a beginner but stay on easy blues and reds - a work in progress really

Hi
I'm an advanced(not expert)skier with over 20yrs experience and ski 3 times a season 75kg weight 5'9 tall my din setting is 6 so thought yours was too high but as admin says you need to have a chat with a reputable tech guy to work your setting. Pop in to a snow & rock or Ellis Brigham branch

This gives a little more information about the bindings & DIN http://www.mechanicsofsport.com/skiing/equipment/bindings.html

flat country skier wrote:This gives a little more information about the bindings & DIN http://www.mechanicsofsport.com/skiing/equipment/bindings.html

Incredibly useful thanks. I put my info into the DIN calculator and it gave me a value of 5.5! No wonder my bindings didn't release

The optimum setting for ski bindings seems to presuppose that you fall when you are travelling fast. So many breaks occur after slow speed falls - even falls from the standing position when there is no short, sharp action on the binding. I'm an intermediate skier and always test my bindings by clamping the empty boot in the binding and hitting it hard with a gloved hand from the side. It should release!