How to Make Your Own Ski Skins

Telemark and Alpine Touring skiers use special "skins" that attach to the bottom of the skis to climb the mountains before skiing back down. These skins use a special fabric that smooths down in one direction but ridges back up on the opposite. This prevents the skier from sliding backward down the hill while sliding the skis uphill. Make your own custom-cut skins to meet your skis' dimensions in your own workshop. The material used for skins is mounted to a rubber backing and is difficult to cut. Use an extremely sharp utility knife and a straight edge for accurate cuts. Remember to always measure twice and cut once.

Things You'll Need

  • Skin camel-hair material
  • Marker
  • Straight edge
  • Extremely sharp utility knife
  • Drill
  • Skin clips
  • Skin glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Roll out the skin material on a large and flat work bench. Place the skis on top of the skin material and trace the ski shape onto the material. Ensure the fabric side of the skin material is facing up and the rubber is on the bench.

    • 2

      Place the straight edge against one side of the marked outline and cut along the straight edge with the knife for straight and even cuts. Make several passes to ensure the knife has gone all the way through the material.

    • 3

      Remove the skis once the skins are cut out. Remove the excess material. Trim the edges of the skins to ensure a smooth edge.

    • 4

      Drill out the holes to mount the skin clips to the front and back of the skins. Attach the skin clips according to the clip maker's instructions. Different skin clips use different methods, such as hinges, tip clips or hook-and-loop tape.

    • 5

      Turn the skins over to expose the rubber. Apply a thick coating of the skin glue to the bottom of each skin, taking care to not go over the edge. Place the skins on the ski base, glue side to the ski base. Push the clips up and over the tip and tail.