Alpine Ski Skins

Ski skins are an absolutely amazing invention that are even better now that they’re no longer made of real seal skin! The concept works like this: one side of the skin is covered in a special glue that sticks to the base of your ski. The other side of the skin is covered with angled fibers, or hair, that slide when moved across the snow one way and grip the snow when pushed in the opposite direction. This allows a backcountry skier to move up the hill without sliding backwards (…at least in theory. Good technique makes things easier and if the slope is too steep or too icy then the skins will lose their grip). Choose wisely because the quality of skins varies greatly and nothing will ruin a day of ski touring more quickly than skins with glue that won’t stick to your skis, or that won’t grip the snow.