Climbing Skins

Trimming Your Skins

Climbing skins should not exceed the length of the running surface of the board. If this length is exceeded, trim with the included trim tool or scissors. It is also a good idea to trim the tail of the skin to match the curved contour of the tip of the skin where the tip loop is attached. This will prevent any glue from being exposed when the skins are folded glue to glue.

If the width of the skin exceeds the width of the board half you should trim the excess width. To do so, apply the skin to its corresponding board half being sure to align the inner straight side of the skin so that it is parallel with the inner metal edge and sits with a few mm of base exposed (the same width as the metal edge). Then use the trimming tool to cut along the outer curved edge. Once you have cut the skin, remove and reapply so that it is centred on the board half and check to ensure that the metal edges are exposed on either side of the skin.

Check out the video at Splitboard Setup.

Care and Use Tips

• Always store the skins by folding adhesive against itself. This protects the sticky side of skins from picking up other materials that will cause adhesion to be reduced.
• To place the skins on the ski, hook the tip loop over the tip of the ski then pull apart the front half. Stick the front half down, and then pull apart the rear half and stick it to the ski. At this point it is a good idea to rub your hand back and forth along the skin to ensure proper adhesion throughout its entire length.
  Note: If you are having difficulty pulling skins apart try place the tip and tailof the skin over top of each knee while knees are bent and close together. Next, holding each end of the skin with your hands on outside of knees open your knees apart. Continue this a few times to get full length of skin open if necessary.
• Skins may have difficulty adhering in extremely cold temperatures. On cold days, it is a good idea to keep the skins inside your coat when not in use as your body temperature will help keep them warm (and more sticky).
• Try not to drop skins in the snow. If you do get snow on the adhesive, it is better to brush it off with a glove rather than your hand, as the warmth from your hand will turn the snow to water, making the skins less sticky.
• In the springtime take the time to wipe off any excess moisture from the base of the snowboard before applying the skins to assist adhesion.
• In the fall and spring, when the snow is warm in the sun and cold in the shade, icing of the skins may occur. Waxing the skins with Ascension's "Glop Stopper" wax (or a similar product) will help prevent icing and improve glide.
• If the skins' adhesion becomes significantly reduced, you can purchase skin adhesive from your backcountry specialty store and restore your skins.
• When storing the skins over the summer, make sure the skins are folded tightly together. Dry skins before storage and store at room temperature.

With proper care your skins should last for several years.

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