Putting on your skins correctly will ensure a successful splitboard session! Removing and storing them correctly will ensure a longer life for your skins.
Splitboarding, or snowboarding, is an excellent way to discover the mountains on your own. The goal? Go up in skins, down on the snowboard (the dream)!
But for the dream to become reality, a few technical notions need to be taken into account, notably on the use of seal skins.
A skin is a blend of mohair and/or synthetic hairs all oriented in the same direction, to allow you to slide on the snow without sliding back when climbing. This anti-slip effect is achieved by the surface in contact with the snow. The part in contact with the ski adheres to the board with an adhesive (glue) or a self-adhesive system.
How do you put on and take off your skins when splitboarding?
To put on your skins before your splitboard session, there are 4 essential steps to remember:
Clean soles
Make sure that the sole of your ski is clean and dry, this will improve the adhesion of the skin and extend the life of your glue.
A well-fitting skin
Attach the loop or stirrup of your skin around the tip of the split. Make sure it fits properly.
And well positioned
Stretch the skin along the length of the sole, keeping it centred so that both edges remain visible.
Slide your hand firmly over the skins as you go, making sure the skin adheres to the base.
The bckle is fastened
Finally, attach the elastic to the heel of the ski so that the back of the skin does not come off during the ascent. Note that this camlock is adjustable and that you only need to apply pressure to adjust its length.
Now that the skins are on, how do you use your splitboard?
Once you reach the top, all you want to do is put on your shoes and ride! We get it But to ensure that your skins last longer, it is important to remove and store them properly.
It's as simple as that:
Prepare your net and
remove the rear camlock from the skin.
Gradually peel off the skin over half the length of the ski while making sure to apply the net.
Remove the loop from the ski tip
and fold the skins
Make sure that the skins are folded over each other with the sticky side against the plastic mesh.
Fold the whole
Store the skins in your backpack. Remember to dry them in a dry place when you return.
The skins are put away, that's a good thing done! All you have to do is turn your skis into a snowboard, adjust the bindings, put on your helmet, put on your boots and ride!
You are now ready to position your skins correctly on your splitboard, and to remove them in order to preserve them as long as possible.
OK for the theory, now let’s get down to practice!
