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
Packing for alpine touring
Some extra clothes, a headlamp and a spare battery for the avalanche beacon. These go in the pack without thinking. But what else do you need? We asked mountain guides and our panel of experts what we should bring. Here’s what they said – with some useful advice and tips.
Five tips for hitting the slopes with skins!
Five rules for skinning up a mountain safely and enjoyably. A truly competent, experienced ski guide would probably say there should be about twenty. We’re sticking to five get this true wisdom to stick! Consider these rules the basic pillars of laying down ski tracks right – a checklist of things to remember the next time you point your skis to the peak.
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!
Photography on tour
Capturing moments of magic with a camera can add an extra dimension to the tour experience. With a little system and some simple steps, you can become an even better photographer. Here are some tips how.
Myths about skins – busted
Not everything you hear about skins is right. We’re here to dish the skinny on skins, busting some misconceptions about your skins, complete with counter-evidence and tips garnered through trial and error in real snow, by real skiers, in actual Norway.
Hot waxing skins
Hot waxing skins? Yes. That’s right. The rumours are true: you can wax skins. With glide wax. And an iron. And for alpine touring, it works a total treat.