Skin Technique

[shamrockpow]

as Arty said keep the head up as it also helps with breathing, psychologically runners are taught to look up to the top of the hill since you feel closer to the top then if you're looking down at your feet

It's not psychological for running, it's the same as this example. When you drop your head, you tend bring your hips forward and that slows you down. Watch Kennedy or any of the Kenyans and you'll see how they're always upright with the hips back and limited arm motion.

[shera]

Hey, this is all cool advice. Hard to figure out what to add. For me it's really important not to waste energy. That means not slipping and regaining balance. Get on a skin line that is doable with your gear and apply just enough "stomp" to stick the skin in the snow, but not more. Also keep everything in your body loose except what has to be working. No clenched muscles - it's weird how you can have something clenched like your neck for no good reason. Also, I do my best time skinning when I keep my hips joints really relaxed, kinda putting a smooth swing in my step.

Personally, I try for a long stride to cover the ground in the least number of step/set/weightshift iterations possible. Especially on mellower pitches.

Honestly, skinning is not rocket science. You just gotta get out there and do it. Bust ass and enjoy!

[Kya]

I try to be as lazy as possible. I drag my feet and try not to lift up the ski at all. I found that encouraging myself to be really lazy and drag, that I conserve enregy.

Of course if you are out of shape then that is the real deal.

[Stu Gotz]

If you sit on the couch and eat chips and dip, you will not have any problems with skinning whatsoever.

[ski4life]

Technique on steep: Lean back a bit, rookies lean forward and slip out. Keep your poles no further forward than your boot. On really steep, put the palms of your hands on the tops of your poles and keep your poles behind you for extra traction.

Tech: Wall to wall skins on fat skis, you can skin anywhere. Leave 2mm of edge showing, so you trim your skins so they are just able to expose the edge, no base.

Great tips and advice! I am a rookine 'skinner' myself and I was wondering about steeper pitches.

[ski4life]

Another thing on speed.

Buy a pack that accomodates a Camelbak or the like. Stopping to pull out a water bottle is slow, and you get dehydrated because you don't drink enough.
Bring atleast 2-3 liters of liquid for tours longer than 5 hours, any less and your skiing dehydrated, and slow.

Also, get a pack or something that allows you to eat as you hike. If you want to speed up, don't stop to eat. My pack has pockets on the waist belt, I keep Snickers or something in the pockets and eat all day long as I hike.
You shouldn't stop to eat when your hungry, eat before you are, then you won't bonk from low blood sugar.

Keep hat and gloves easily accessible so you don't have to stop to take them off or put them on. Same goes with jackets. Jacket on the outside of the pack where you can easily put it on/off, etc.

I hate stopping for anymore than a couple minutes on a long tour. I like to stop on the summit for a bit, but not on the approach.

Just some ideas.

More great advice...Have you ever skinned with Alipine Trekkers before? Does the same apply or is it slightly different because you are so elevated? At this point in time I am only interested in skinning things just outside the resorts i.e. 2 hours or less so I am not ready to purchase touring gear yet.

[Cliff Huckable]

I made this from the tips I've learned over the years.

http://www.splitboard.com/split101/a...h.htm#skinning

Nice looking site! Good job!

[shera]

bizzump for LeeLau

[LeeLau]

bizzump for LeeLau

Thx shera - I forgot about this even though I posted in it.

[summit]

With alpine treckers you want to either go straight up or straight across when possible, too much diagonal on a steep slope and your bindings will spit the treckers out at the toe.