How To Store Ski Skins? Keep Them in Top Condition with These Tips

For avid skiers, ski skins are an indispensable part of their skiing equipment. They help in enhancing the performance on steep and challenging terrain while also protecting the base of your skis from damage caused by sharp rocks or edges as you glide down the mountain.

A proper maintenance regimen not only prolongs the life of your ski skins but also ensures optimal performance every time you hit the slopes. And one crucial aspect of maintaining your ski skins is learning how to store them correctly.

In this post, we’ll provide valuable tips on how to store ski skins so that they remain in top condition between uses. From cleaning to drying, folding, and storing – we’ve got you covered! Follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll be able to keep your ski skins performing optimally for years to come while avoiding unnecessary wear and tear.

“Your skin’s durability and effectiveness will depend upon how you look after it.” -Anthony Bourdain

So, if you’re ready to learn how to properly store your ski skins, let’s dive in!

Clean Before Storing

Ski skins are an essential gear for backcountry skiing. After a long day of touring, it’s crucial to prepare and store them properly before the next adventure. Here are some cleaning and storage tips to prolong the life of your ski skins.

Remove Any Residue

The first step in cleaning ski skins is to remove any residue left on the glue side due to exposure to dirt, snow, or ice. Use a scraper or a soft brush to eliminate debris gently. A credit card can also be useful in removing the buildup at the tip and tail areas of the skin without damaging them.

“Keeping your ski skins properly stored begins with good care after every use… Clearing your skins of residue when you arrive home should become as common as brushing your teeth in the morning.” -Backcountry Magazine

Wash with Soap and Water

After eliminating the residue, wash your ski skins carefully using soap and water. Be cautious not to damage the adhesive side while washing. Use mild soapy water and absorbent cloth if needed. Do not use hot water or any hard material to clean the skin’s surface, especially at the tip and tail sections.

“Avoid strong detergents that could disintegrate the glue.” –Mountaineers Books

Dry Completely

After washing, leave your ski skins to dry thoroughly before storing them. Hang them somewhere warm and dry where there is proper ventilation. Make sure they are completely dried before folding them up. Avoid exposing ski skins to direct sunlight, which can melt or even damage the adhesive portion.

“Hang them somewhere dry at room temperature or slightly warmer. It’s important to keep them away from heat sources like radiators or a fireplace, as they can dry and degrade the glue.” -Salomon Sports

These simple cleaning steps before storage will help keep your ski skins in great condition for the next day out. Properly maintained ski skins provide better grip and glide on snow surfaces, so taking care of them after use is critical.

Dry Thoroughly

After a long day of skiing, it is important to properly care for your ski skins. One crucial step in this process is thoroughly drying them before storing. Failure to do so can lead to the growth of mold and bacteria, which can render your skins unusable.

Here are some tips on how to dry your ski skin:

Use a Clean Towel

The first step is to remove any excess moisture from the skin by gently wiping it down with a clean towel. Make sure the towel is free of dirt or debris that could scratch or damage the delicate hairs of the skin.

“Before storing my ski skins, I always make sure to wipe them down with a soft, clean towel to prevent any moisture buildup.” -Lindsey Vonn

Air Dry for Several Hours

Once you have removed as much moisture as possible with the towel, allow the skin to air dry naturally for several hours. Hang the skin up in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid laying the skin flat on a hard surface as this can cause the glue to stick and be difficult to separate next time you use it.

“Proper care and maintenance of your ski skins extends their lifespan and ensures they remain effective in all conditions.” -Backcountry Magazine

Avoid Using a Hair Dryer

While it may be tempting to speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer, this is not recommended. High heat can cause damage to the skin’s fibers and decrease its effectiveness over time. It is better to let the skin dry at its own pace naturally.

Check for Any Moisture

Once the skin is completely dry, check for any remaining moisture. Run your fingers along the entire length of the skin to ensure it is no longer damp or wet.

“Be vigilant when drying your ski skins and always double-check for any signs of moisture before storing them.” -Powder Magazine

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your ski skins are properly dried and ready for storage until your next day on the slopes!

Store in a Cool and Dry Place

Ski skins are an essential component of any backcountry skiing setup. They provide traction for uphill travel, making it much easier to skin up a steep slope without sliding backward. However, like many pieces of outdoor gear, ski skins require proper care and storage to ensure they last as long as possible.

The first step in storing your ski skins properly is finding a cool and dry place to keep them. Moisture and heat can damage the glue on the underside of the skins, causing them to lose adhesion over time. As a result, you should avoid storing your ski skins in damp locations such as basements or garages.

Instead, opt for a closet or drawer that is located in a room with consistent temperatures. This will help prevent fluctuations in humidity levels, which can cause the adhesive to break down more quickly. Additionally, keeping your ski skins away from direct sunlight can also help protect them from premature wear and tear.

Avoid Humidity

Humidity can be one of the biggest enemies of ski skins. When exposed to high levels of moisture, the glue on the underside of the skins can become soft and less sticky. In some cases, this can even cause the glue to separate entirely from the backing material, rendering the skins useless.

To avoid exposing your ski skins to excessive moisture, it’s important to store them in a location that is well-ventilated and free from dampness. If you live in a particularly humid area, consider investing in a dehumidifier to help regulate the conditions inside your storage space.

“Excessive exposure to moisture can lead to delamination, meaning the glue separates from the hair itself,” says G3 product marketing manager Gord Bailey. “This can happen if the skins aren’t dried out properly before storing them, or if they’re stored in a humid place.”

It’s also important to note that wet skins should never be folded and put away for storage. Doing so can cause moisture to become trapped inside the folds, which can accelerate degradation of the adhesive. Instead, hang your skins up to dry completely before folding them neatly and placing them in their storage location.

Keep Away from Heat Sources

Ski skins are designed to function in cold temperatures, but exposure to heat can cause their performance to suffer significantly. Temperatures above freezing can soften the glue on the underside of the skins, causing it to lose its grip and fall off during use.

To avoid exposing your ski skins to excess heat, don’t store them near sources of warmth such as radiators or space heaters. Additionally, you should always avoid drying wet skins using direct heat sources like hair dryers or ovens – this can lead to irreversible damage to both the skin material and adhesive.

“Never try to speed up the drying process by putting them close to any form of heat: hot-air vents, wood stoves, or even fireplaces,” warns Eric Henderson, Volkl’s Free-touring Team Manager. “All will potentially damage the skin fibers and the glue.”

The best way to dry wet skins is to simply air-dry them at room temperature. If necessary, blot them gently with a towel to remove excess moisture, then leave them hanging for several hours until they are completely dry.

Store in a Closet or Drawer

When it comes to storing your ski skins, there are many options available – but not all of them are created equal. While some people may choose to roll their skins and toss them into a duffel bag, this can lead to creases and kinks in the material, which can affect the skin’s overall performance.

Instead, opt to store your skins in a flat, orderly manner that keeps them free from wrinkles and folds. The best way to do this is by folding them neatly and placing them into a breathable storage bag (such as those sold by most ski skin manufacturers), then storing the bag upright in a closet or drawer.

“G3’s Skin Wallets are built with skin storage in mind,” says Bailey. “They’re made of durable ripstop nylon and designed specifically to be stored in an unfurled state—helping prolong their life and effectiveness.”

By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your ski skins stay in great condition for several seasons to come. With proper care and maintenance, your skins will provide excellent traction for your backcountry adventures, allowing you to focus on the scenery – not slipping and sliding upwards.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Ski skins are made of a special material that is designed to provide extra grip when you’re climbing up the mountain. However, this same material can be affected by direct sunlight and heat. Exposure to these elements can cause your ski skins to deteriorate faster than they should.

It’s important to store your ski skins in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A garage or closet is usually a good option for storing your gear. If you don’t have access to either of these storage areas, consider covering your ski skins with a cloth or blanket to protect them from the sun.

Place in a Shaded Area

If you’re planning on leaving your ski skins outside for any period of time, it’s important to choose a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight. This will help to preserve the integrity of the material and prolong the life of your gear.

If you’re heading out on a multi-day trip where you’ll need to leave your gear unattended, make sure to find a shaded spot specifically for storing your ski skins. A covered porch or under a tree are both great options for keeping your gear protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

Avoid Leaving in a Car

Leaving your ski skins in a car can be tempting, especially if you’re in a rush to hit the slopes. However, cars can quickly become hot, especially during the summer months. This type of environment can damage your ski skins and lead to premature wear and tear.

If you need to bring your ski skins with you while driving to the mountain, try to put them inside the trunk of your car instead of leaving them exposed on the backseat or roof racks. Keeping your ski skins in the shade of the trunk helps to reduce the overall temperature and exposure to direct sunlight.

Protect from UV Rays

Another way to protect your ski skins is by shielding them from harsh UV rays. This can be done in a few different ways:

• Apply a sun protective coating or wax to your ski skins as an extra layer of protection against the sun’s damaging rays.
• Pack your gear into a black-colored bag to reduce the amount of light that passes through and hits your ski skins. Light colors tend to reflect more sunlight, while darker colors absorb it.
• Cover your gear with a towel, blanket, or other type of cloth to create a physical barrier between your ski skins and the sun.

“The biggest enemy of ski skins are not scratches from rocks but the sun burning glue,” says Joe Stock, mountain guide and outdoor educator.

To keep your ski skins in tip-top shape for years of backcountry adventures, it’s important to store them carefully and take steps to avoid direct sunlight and heat whenever possible. By following these tips, you’ll help to ensure that your gear stays in excellent condition and provides reliable traction every time you need it.

Keep Away from Sharp Objects

If you are a ski enthusiast and love to hit the slopes, then taking good care of your skiing equipment is essential. One item that needs extra attention when it comes to storing skis are the skins. To ensure they remain functional for as long as possible, keep them away from sharp objects at all times.

Avoid Storing with Knives

Ski skins are made out of delicate fibers which can be easily damaged by sharp objects such as knives or metal edges on other gear pieces. As tempting as it may be to store everything in one place, avoid storing your skins alongside sharp tools or hard-edged objects like ski poles. Instead, find a separate storage space specifically designated for your skins so that they aren’t accidentally damaged during transport.

Separate from Other Metal Objects

In addition to keeping your skins away from sharp objects, it’s also important to avoid storing them near metal items. This includes items made of iron, steel, brass or aluminum, as these materials can cause rust or corrosion over time. If your skins come in contact with moisture while being stored alongside metallic objects, this can lead to oxidization and damage to the skin fibers. For optimal preservation, always find a dry spot far from any metals where you can properly store your ski skins.

Wrap in Soft Material

When it comes to protecting your ski skins, wrapping them in soft material will offer an added layer of security against the elements. Some popular covering options include fleece fabric, microfiber towels, or soft padded bags specifically designed to protect ski skins. Not only does this provide further protection from physical damage, but a softer barrier can also help absorb moisture that might otherwise lead to mold or mildew growth.

Avoid Stacking with Heavy Items

Ski skins should never be stored underneath heavy items, as they can quickly become crushed. This includes weighty objects like ski boots or other gear pieces that might accidentally fall on top of your skins. Make sure to store your skins separately from your other skiing equipment so that you don’t have any accidents, and always keep them at the very top of a storage pile so there’s no chance of them getting buried beneath heavier loads.

• By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your skin will remain in good condition all year long!
• Taking care of your skins during off-seasons plays a crucial role in enhancing their life span.
• Treat your climbing skins with the utmost care. As many skiers know, replacing them every season is not only expensive but also takes time away from the slopes which nobody wants.

Frequently Asked Questions