Heel unit for a downhill or a combined downhill and alpine touring ski binding

A heel unit for a downhill or a combined downhill and alpine touring binding for a ski, comprising:

• a vertical-release functional group with a tensioning device with a sole holder and a first spring assembly for holding a ski boot in the downhill position, and
• a horizontal-release functional group with a base plate that can be positioned on the ski and a slide that can be deflected laterally opposing the ski longitudinal direction against the force of a second spring assembly, on which the vertical-release functional group is arranged, and a compression spring assembly acting on the horizontal-release functional group,
• wherein:
• the vertical-release functional group can be rotated on the horizontal-release functional group around an axis, which runs vertically from the top side of the ski or at an angle of up to 5° from a vertical axis, in such a way that, after a limited lateral deflection of the slide against the force of the second spring assembly, the vertical-release functional group rotates to release the ski boot into the respective lateral-release direction.