Before the season starts, some basic routines are the nearest we can get to skiing. Change the battery in your avalanche beacon; clean and re-impregnate your shells \u2013 and give your skins, skis and bindings a once-over. Here, we’re talking skins.<\/p>\n
Skins are often neglected. Spring, especially, can be hard on the glue; the snow can be dirty, and we pass over vegetation and rocks. But skins are the most important tool we have for getting to the top so we can come down again. We really want them in good condition on the first good snow day!<\/p>\n
First of all, some basic skin-care tips (we repeat these elsewhere, but they\u2019re important \u2013 so here we go!<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skins are a wonderful tool for opening the door to experiences in nature. There are just a couple of things you can do to keep them performing as they should. Here\u2019s what every skin-owner should know.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nOne of the most important rules for keeping skins happy is to keep the glue away from dust, dirt, vegetation, stones, dog hair, carpets, and anything else that can get stuck in there.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nOut in the mountains, snow and ice get on to the glue. It\u2019s just the way it goes. You can usually just brush it off with a glove. If there\u2019s a lot, you can scrape the back of the skin over a steel edge. You can also just fold them up and put them in an inside pocket. The ice and snow melt, the glue warms up and the skin might dry a little. Then it\u2019ll stick.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhen it\u2019s really cold, the skin gets cold too. This means a stiffer skin and stiffer glue \u2013 maybe even a skin that doesn\u2019t want to stick to the ski. When this happens, warm the skin with body heat under your jacket. On long days below -15\u00b0 or thereabouts, stick the skin into your inner pocket when you\u2019re not using it.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nGlue tends to fail at the back of the skin first, sometimes at the front by the attachment. This is where snow, ice, water and dirt are most likely to get into the glue. Check your skins regularly; remove vegetation and other obvious stuck in the glue; store the skin in an inner pocket if necessary. Also bring a stick of skin wax to prevent the skin from absorbing moisture. Maybe even a tube of skin glue for spot-repairs in the field if necessary.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nIf things really go south, a ski strap, gaffa tape or sports tape<\/a> can save the day. Or at least give you enough to get out of the mountains. But we repeat: routines!<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nWet snow exists. In the spring, it\u2019s a real hazard. This can lead to very damp skins. These are perfect conditions for skins becoming ice-magnets. Especially if temperatures fluctuate.<\/span>\r\nAt this point, enter skin wax. You should ALWAYS have some skin wax in your pocket; it can save the day! The other thing you can do is stick glide wax on your skins in almost the same way you would with your glide zones. The wax protects from wear; it stops moisture getting in; it improves glide.<\/span>\r\n\r\nBetween uses (and out in the field) skins can dry and warm up in your inner pocket.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAgain, good routines and preparations are key here. Give you skin a good waxing<\/a> before you set out, or at the start of the season!<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nOK, so \u2013\u00a0you forgot to wax and your skins are covered in ice. Well, no one\u2019s perfect.\u00a0All is not lost.<\/span>\r\n\r\nFirst, scrape away what you can using a steel edge, a wax scraper, or whatever you have to hand. One of us has used the old iPhone 5 with the sharp sides before. Leave the skins on.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTry to scrape from the front tip all the way back to the rear tip. You\u2019ll probably be able to squeeze and scrape enough out.\u00a0If it\u2019s sunny, you can put the skin in the sun with the problem side facing the sun. They might dry out a little when you have your sandwiches.<\/span>\r\n\r\nFinally, you should apply skin wax \u2013 and LOTS of it. If you don\u2019t have any to hand, use what you have. Vaseline. Sunscreen. Silicone. Cooking oil. When you clean it off, don\u2019t spray base cleaner on to the skin \u2013 use a rag.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nAll wet equipment should be unpacked and dried. This is particularly important for skins, because, as we say in Point 6, a dry skin is a happy skin. However, skins should NOT be exposed to direct heat<\/strong>. Don\u2019t put them on heated floors, or near a stove. Hang them on a drying line at normal room temperature.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhen dry, store them somewhere cool, away from sunlight. A cellar, a garage \u2013 somewhere like that.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nMost of us store our skins stuck glue-to-glue. But when skins are to be stored for a long period, over the summer for example, it may be good to use a mesh skin-protector between them. Just to be safe.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAgain, store your dry skins somewhere cool, away from sunlight. In the cellar or in the shed.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\r\n\r\nSooner or later, glue wears out. It ages; it\u2019s had enough of snow and fingers and grip wax and being dried above a wood-burning stove in huts. This doesn\u2019t mean that the skin\u2019s finished, though: skins get better and better with use. Re-gluing a skin takes a little time from your afternoon, but there are several methods now. And glue\u2019s much cheaper than a pair of mature skins with stories to tell.<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n1.\u00a0Keep the adhesive clean and dry<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
2. Remove ice and snow from the glue \u2013 they\u2019ll stick<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
3. Beating the cold<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
4. Good routines<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
5. Emergency solutions<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
6. A dry skin is a happy skin<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
7. Icing? No thanks<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
8. Always dry skins \u2013 at room temperature!<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
9. Proper storage between use<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n
10. Re-glue your skins when necessary<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\n\n\n