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
Replacing and renewing glue on skins
Unfortunately, skin glue doesn’t last forever. The skin itself, on the other hand, only gets better and better until it wears out. So if you replace the old glue, your skins can last many years. Moribund glue can be replaced, either with tape or sheets, or from a tube. We explain how.
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.
Tips for taking a dog into the wilds
Positive training and positive experiences in the outdoors make for a confident dog. But setting out in winter is something a little different – especially if you’re overnighting. So we’ve put together some good rules, tips and tricks to make the experience the best it can be. There’s nothing to prevent these tips being applied in your everyday life with your dog, either!
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…
How to use Åsnes short skins
Wondering how to use Åsnes short skins? Not sure what these skins are good for and what the point is? Or wondering how to install a short skin? How to customize them? Whatever it is, here are the answers.
Eight things to check before you start the season
Before you drop everything at the first sign of snow and rush out to ski, keep yourself and your crew safe by checking that you’re “avalanche ready” before the season really starts!