Tips and Tricks for Ski Touring

Loose Skins
To avoid skins getting loose during touring, make sure there is no snow on the ski base or on the skin when putting them on. The clip in the back should be tight, and once the skins are on, push with your hand on them once or twice to make sure they’re well in place. Avoid stepping too much on your skis when you are turning. If the clip gets loose for some reason, make sure to tighten it as fast and as much as you can. The longer you wait, the worse it can get.

Kick-turn
To avoid getting stuck when turning, remember to lift the back of your foot and get the entire ski out of the snow before you start turning. You can improve your skills by doing some active stretching to open the muscles around the hip. To turn around, it is easier to have your feet as close together as possible. The best way to actively train this movement is to do it on soft but compact snow on a gentle uphill.

There are many ways to do turns efficiently. Ask around and guides will often have good tips that will improve your skills going up.

zen Skins
I always bring some ski wax and like to keep it in an easy to reach pocket. I use it to rub on my skins to prevent them from freezing. This is more common during springtime, or when going from wet and hot snow to cold and dry snow.

Glue vs. Silicone
Personally, I prefer using skins with glue instead of silicone. If the skin is completely covered in snow, I take it off and put it inside my jacket for a long time to get the snow to melt. Sometimes, I drag the skin fast back and forth on my knee to create friction. The heat from the movement removes the snow from the skin. This tip is a quick fix that might not always work, but it’s worth a try.

Snow Heels
Preventing a buildup of snow under the heel is very hard. Most binding producers have not solved that problem completely yet. Silicon spray might help in the short term, but try to remove it regularly with your hand or with your pole during your climbs.

Remember to have fun and stay safe in the mountains. If you want to learn more about mountain safety, click here.