The Skinny on Climbing Skins
Add to Del.icio.usTips on Cutting, Caring For & Wearing Them
by Bob MerrillWhether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting into backcountry touring, you’ll find Gear Guru Bob Merrill’s tips on cutting, caring for, and using skins super handy.
Cutting
Cut them back from the edge more than the directions say to give you more effective edge on icy traverses. Also, be sure to center the skin on the ski before trimming making for nice symmetric skins.
After cutting for full coverage fold them perfectly in half and re-cut the top section so when folded there’s no glue showing, and they are perfectly symmetrical tip to tail. Without exposed glue, they’re easier to store. Always round off the tail of Standard Skins to keep it from peeling back.
Storage
If you're skiing regularly, just leave your skins in your pack so they're ready to go every time.
Never put them in their bag without letting them dry. But avoid putting them near hot surfaces (dashboard, hut stove, etc.) as it messes up the glue.
Care
When temps warm and the snow is moist, it can clump up on the bottoms of your skins in a serious way, hindering your glide and ruining a day of backcountry skiing. Use Glop Stopper or Skin Spray to prevent this.
Pull off clumps of glue, pebbles, sticks, and other debris from the sticky side. Needle nose pliers are good for this. Apply some Ascension Gold Label glue to thin spots, dabbing it on with the applicator, especially around the tails of standard skins. Let dry 24 hours, i.e., don't do this the night before skiing!
Attaching/Detaching Skins with Skis On
Removal: While standing on an incline, cross your uphill ski over the downhill. Point the tip of the ski down so as to raise the tail up to your hand. While balancing on a firmly planted uphill pole, grab the tail portion of the skin, grip, 'n' rip! It helps to raise your ski tip as you go.
Turn around and repeat with other ski. The crossing of the ski makes this process much easier especially for the less than limber.
Application: Again it helps to be on an incline. Start by pulling your skins apart and folding them in half, but backwards plush to plush.
Cross your uphill ski over the downhill, and plant the tail in the snow pulling back the tip to check for snow on the bottoms. Balancing on a firmly planted uphill hand pole, reach out holding the backwards folded skins by the top clip, and slip the clip over the ski tip.
Now, by just holding the tail section of the skin stretch it back towards the tail, at the same time lifting your ski out of the snow. Tap the ski tail against your downhill boot to clear any remaining snow, then point the tip down, raising the tail as you stick the skins tail end to the ski (or apply the tail clip).
Make slight centering adjustments as you run your hand along the bottom of the ski to firmly attach the skin. Uncross the ski and stamp firmly in the snow to finish the job. Turn around and repeat with other ski. With a little practice this can take as little as 30 seconds.
