New skins?
If you’ve just got some new skins, or your first full set for the mountains – boots, beacon, helmet, poles, skis and skins – you’ll be anxious to get your skins right.
Today, most skins come in fixed lengths and widths. They also have fixtures at the front, and preferably an adjustable fixture at the back, allowing you to adjust the length for your skins. Skins typically come in “clothes sizes”, from extra-small to extra-large. A glance at the size chart or packaging well tell you which one you need.
Does the skin have to cover the entire sole?
No. A skin made for getting you to the top of a mountain doesn’t have to cover the entire ski base. That would be a lot of skin. Neither the tip of the ski and the rear 20cm of the skin are used when you’re propelling yourself. It’s also not a big problem if the skin’s slightly narrower than the ski’s widest points. All you need is relatively good coverage underfoot. Less skin under the ski means less resistance. Which means better glide. You don’t want to lift your skis from the snow while you’re ascending. Generally, most “universal skins” come in 120–130cm widths. This should work in most cases.
Tailoring your skins
Prepping and waxing cross-country skis for the backcountry – simply
When we wax cross-country BC skis, the best approach is often the simplest. If you’re in the mountains for several days, you want something that works, well enough, without fuss, for most of the day. Luckily this isn’t rocket science
Tyre training
Get started with tyre training – the best way to prepare for an expedition or the coming ski season.
Mounting bindings on cross-country BC skis
If you’re going to mount bindings on cross-country skis built for breaking trail, you have a choice. You can let professionals do it for you and avoid water damage to the wooden core, screws sitting proud of the holes or crooked bindings… or you can bid farewell to your warranty cover, prepare the polyurethane glue and drill, and read on…
Clothes for dogs in the cold
When it gets cold, spare a thought for you dog. Even dogs with a lot of fur can freeze if they don’t have an insulating undercoat. It doesn’t actually have to be much colder than -5° before many dogs can have problems – but there are still some who think dogs are unfreezeable. Here’s how to make sure they don’t.
Preparing for Åsnes Expedition Amundsen
Dreaming of an adventure in the winter mountains? Or a lover of endurance races? Maybe Åsnes Expedition Amundsen is for you. But you’ll need to be ready.
Menstruating on skis
Periods. Because we menstruate in winter too. Stomach cramps while overnighting in the wild aren’t often discussed – which means they ought to be. So curl up with some ibuprofen and a glass of water for some good tips for menstruating in the winter mountains.