Instead of using ski lifts, ski touring and splitboarding offer an alternative way of exploring the mountain.
The secret?The use of seal skins is essential for an easy ascent.
Read our step-by-step guide on how to slide properly with seal skins and mistakes to avoid to help reduce fatigue.
The tiny hairs on the skins help the skis stick to the snow when climbing, producing a smooth glide to aid your ascent.
Conversely, they make it impossible to slide backwards, creating a "breaking" effect. This back-stop effect provides you with sufficient support so you can propel your back leg forward, producing what is known as a" "sliding step.""
#1 stand upright using your pre-adjusted poles to help you balance.
#2 To move forward, glide your skis along the snow, one after the other but without lifting them! Bear in mind that you want to "drag your feet."This will encourage you to keep your toes in contact with the ground when you make your sliding step.
#3 Exaggerate the movement for the first few metres, taking generous sliding steps. Keep your feet close to each other, without taking large strides.
Keeping your skis running smoothly with each step will help minimise skin glopping (when snow accumulates on the skins, making the ski feel much heavier and tiring the skier more quickly.
Clumsiness, bad habits or lack of knowledge can make progress slow which means you will tire quickly.
Here are our TOP 3 mistakes to avoid and good habits to adopt.
#1
Don't do the duck walk!
Trust your skins!
"Duck walking" is a natural reflex which you do unconsciously for safety and to prevent yourself from sliding backwards. Take a slow sliding step to check on the grip and try to keep your skis parallel, side-by-side when moving.
#2
Don't lift up your skis!
If you lift up your skis, although they're very light, the feeling of carrying your equipment will eventually tire you out.
Drag your feet! This will encourage you to keep your toes in contact with the ground when you make your sliding step.
#3
Don't put too much weight on the front of the ski!
If you lean too far forward (upper body bent over), you may lose your grip and slide backwards. If the slope is too steep (which will force you to adopt this stance), use your heel lifts and straighten up; you will be less tired and will move more easily.
Wintersports lover