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You set out each morning in search of quick, steep skin track laps in order to bag as many pow turns as possible in the shortest amount time. Black Diamond made the Ascension Nylon STS Skins just for you. Plush on the bottom and fully adjustable, these skins conquer grainy or sticky conditions on the skin track, and they'll accommodate your fat skis or your skinnier sticks.

  • Plush nylon material provides steadfast traction on the steepest slopes and smooth glide when you need to conquer a rolling track
  • Gold Label Adhesive sticks to the bottom of your skis in the coldest and warmest temps and remains sticky season after season
  • Strong metal wire tip loops fit a wide range of ski tip sizes and can be easily adjusted or replaced
  • STS Tail straps are riveted in place and have an even stretch to provide the snug, secure fit you need to keep skins in place

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Black Diamond Ascension Nylon STS Skins

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Here's what others have to say...

4 5

Blake Carley

Member since 

These are the basic gold standard of skins - classic heavyweight nylon. Cut them yourself after watching the video a few times. I was never that good at it, never cutting straight lines, etc. But thanks to the adjustable settings, you cant screw it up that bad. I also have the Dynafit skins and much prefer those over these. The combination of Mohair and Nylon makes them MUCH more packable and saves a few ounces. Just my .02!

5 5

Joshua

Member since 

What else can I say except these get me up the mountain without fail. I usually prefer a steeper skin track and these never cause me to slip backwards.

5 5

Carver Shaw

Member since 

These are great skins from Black Diamond. They stick nicely to you ski and perform well on any tour in various snow conditions. A great buy!

have a ski tech cut a slot on your skis

Todd Kehoe

Member since 
Posted on

If your skis don't have a skin slot, you want one, otherwise they'll slide the tail & you get snow on the tail of the skin making you 'have a bad day'. Any good tech can help you right.

5 5

Todd Kehoe

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

Awesome skins, just make sure the skins are tight as possible when sizing them up to your skis. Make sure you utilize the mesh 'skin saver', it will make your glue on your skins last much longer.

Another thing people sometimes don't do is have a ski tech cut/drummel a slot for the tail clip of the skin so it won't slide off while skinning. This happened to me at first on Teton Pass. Once it does you'll get snow in the skins, won't stick on & 'you'll have a bad time' having to cut your bc ski tour short.

In general, I don't think I have ever hated a product from Black Diamond.

Don't wanna have 'A Bad Day'

Todd Kehoe

Member since 
Posted on

Your skins will stay on so much better & won't be cursing in the backcountry when doing switchbacks. I learned the hard way my first time I was skinning with this setup for the first time. I only did 1.5 laps while my amigos did 2 full laps on Teton Pass. Have ski cut a a slot on the tails of your skis if you don't have one already.

Christopher Columbo

Member since 
Posted on

Todd Kehoe

Member since 
Responded on

If you have a buddy that has a G3 skin trimmer, that is hands down the BEST one. I never used my BD trimmer, I used my amigo's G3 trimmer.

It goes along the edge of the ski cutting it at 1.5 mm from the edge, so you have an edge when it get hairy on icy spots of the tour. Last thing you want to is screw up you skins when trimming them.

Joshua

Member since 
Responded on

The G3 trimmer is definitely the way to go.

Christopher Columbo

Member since 
Responded on

Well, I agree that the G3 trimmer looks sweet, but it really doesn't take THAT much effort to let the skins overhang a bit on each side while trimming to allow 1-2mm edge exposure. Plus the BD cutting tool comes with the skins (or just use a box cutter).

5 5

colp431051

Member since 

Great fit, great grip. I think they went a little overboard on the glue. My skis are 110 at the narrowest and it took 2 of us to get them off my skis the first time I used them. A tip~ make sure to use the skin saver mesh at first at least, glue to glue and you may never get them a part. This is my 2nd pair of BD Ascension Nylon STS Skins and I'd buy another pair in a heart beat!

5 5

Kayla Weiser

Member since 
Groups:

These skins are AWESOME. I didn't know that I could be so happy with a set of sticky nylons, but by goly- I love em. They glide very well, and they grip very well in varying conditions- what more do you need in a skin? They've done a great job sticking to my skis, and they're incredibly easy to cut/fit. I absolutely would recommend these, hands down!

Todd Kehoe

Member since 
Responded on

I second that, I've gonna up some steep stuff that I was not sure about & held in 'Like a Boss', I would recommend these skins. Make sure get slots cut in the tails of your skis if they don't have them. Those slots help SO MUCH, & the skins never slide off the tails when skinning switchbacks.

5 5

Evan Tougas

Member since 

What makes these so effective? they work, well. These skins are burly, grippy and still slide well. I've only used these on crud and ice, but they held way better than I would have expected. The tail clip has a tenancy to slide off on my skis, but it's not too annoying. I would buy another pair, but I have a feelingI won't have to for a while.

My skis are 177 lenth, and 138 w at the...

bbsp450697

Member since 
Posted on

My skis are 177 lenth, and 138 w at the tip. What size climbing skins do I need? 65 80 or 95

Arthur Debowski

Member since 
Groups:
Best Answer Responded on

You can either size them to the tip (so at least 138mm) and then trimmed to the ski. That gives you wall to wall coverage and more grip. Or you can save some weight and size to the waist and then just trim to that. This leaves you with a little missing coverage at the tip and tail but its a lighter setup.

5 5

Andrew McLean

Member since 
Groups:

Different skins work well in different parts of the world, but for straight-up skin tracks in cold, dry snow (such as the Wasatch), the BD Nylon skins are the schnizzel. The climb very well and are durable enough to last for years.

Probably my ideal skin is a high-mileage nylon skin like this. They have lost all of their rough edges and thus glide better, while still retaining their grip.

I also like trimming my own skins (instead of pre-cuts) as I can get them exactly as I like - just a bit off the edges and full tails.

5 5

MattAckley

Member since 
Groups:

These skins have excellent durability and will last you several seasons if you take care of them properly.

5 5

Will Cardamone

Member since 
Groups:

It seems that a lot of people are counting ounces these days with backcountry gear. Sometimes cutting weight also cuts function. These skins although a little heavier will go up just about anything. This will actually make your ascents much more enjoyable and energy efficient when you are not slipping backwards half the time. Great tip loop and tail clip system at well.

What size should i get for the armada...

Catalina

Member since 
Posted on

What size should i get for the armada vjj!

Will Cardamone

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Depends on the width of the ski underfoot. I think it's 115mm so you should get the 125mm skins and just cut them down to the right width.

what size skins should I order. I have...

bskp405605

Member since 
Posted on

what size skins should I order. I have Liberty Helix 176 long 135/105/122 wide

Will Cardamone

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Check out the Black Diamond Ascension nylon custom sts skins. They are the same skins but you can get them in 110mm. With a little bit of trimming with the included trim tool they should fit your skis just fine.

5 5

Cory Akin

Member since 
Groups:
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I've used BD Ascensions for a number of years now and have always been impressed. The grip is great (I'm in the Wasatch, so there's lots of steep skinning). And I haven't noticed any issues with glide (Mohair may glide better, but I'm willing to give up a little for more grip).
They are very easy to cut as well.

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