Climbing Skins 101

[@dick91p]

Brad does a great job. The guy in the orange jacket barely explained what skins are for and doesn't sound like he planned his points ahead of time.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

We've had similar comments to this one and he's been schooled, future videos will be much better. Thanks for the feedback, keep watching!

[@EmDKee]

Next time I would make Brad the main dude, he is way more fluent communicating on camera.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for the feedback Emily, we typically prepare our own product review videos and occasionally work on camera together with each of us sharing the lead on various video topics.

[@urineil5091]

Brad is way better on video. #brad2020

[@PickledShark]

How on earth did this make the final cut.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

And this was the good version!

[@adamsacchetti290]

hard to listen to orange coat guy

[@davidgilbertson7750]

Thanks Andrew. My intro to skins after years of skiing. I'd heard about them but never actually seen them or how they are applied. The 101 is appreciated!

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Glad you got some good info from the video, this is why we make them. Visit the site www.backcountryskiingcanada.com for more info on all things backcountry!

[@tsr7198]

Great video if a little awkward. Thanks Brad, your reviews are excellent

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks, glad you like the video. Yes, we've heard that comment a few times and steps have been taken to make them more professional.

[@tsr7198]

Backcountry Skiing Canada Andrew was the comic relief. Still a good video like all of your reviews!

[@Vitor-1981]

an advice... plan the points to talk about and the terms to use to describe the aspects...

[@ChillyDippers]

Maybe you should let Brad do the talking from now on.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

+Chilly Dippers Thanks for the feedback, noted.

[@andrewtemple5419]

wow, that was awkward...

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@joshuamoore1091]

Is skinning comparable to snow shoeing? Would skinning be faster? What grade would skinning lose it's grip? Best regards

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Hey Josh, great question. No, not really. Skiing is walking with your skis up a slope. The hairs on the skins grab the snow and prevent the ski from sliding backwards while allowing it to glide forward. It' is more efficient than snow shoeing especially for climbing up a mountain - plus you then get to ski back down!

[@simplelivingmontana]

Thank you.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

You are very welcome!

[@philipthecow]

How many times can you re-use skins if you're careful to only ski on snow? Does the adhesive on the ski side wear off?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for a great question. For those new to ski touring it may seem that the adhesive would quickly wear off the skin after each use. When in reality good quality climbing skins can last for years and years of use. The glue does not degrade that much unless it becomes contaminated with dirt, hair and other fibres. I have had skis for over 5 years and used them more than 30 times per season. It is also important to store the skins properly in the off-season so that the glue maintains it tackiness.

[@GrumpyOldMan9]

Why does it have to stick. Isn't the tension enough to keep it in place?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

I'd never heard that term before and just couldn't help it.

[@lochkeetv8909]

Thanks Brad! Lol

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

You bet Chad!

[@yewtoobbrute]

So when you get to the top and prepare to ski down, aren't the bottom of the skis all sticky?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

No, the glue should not transfer to the skis, it is very tacky but stays on the skins if the glue is in good working order.

[@abrar1khan1]

Brad is a natural. He should try media.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, I'll continue to produce and host most of the reviews in future. Keep watching!

[@juliepilon4670]

I'd like to add more patches of skin on my Altai Hok Skis to be able to climb when the elevation of the hill is more abrupt. What do you recommend ? And I would also like it to be easy to take off when it's time to go down the hill ! Thank you, I'm north of Montreal, QC.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Not quite sure what you mean when you say "

[@ecphotographer]

How does one buy the Gecko Skins? Are there any distributers in Canada or the US?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Great question, sadly they are no longer made. Most glueless skins are no longer being made as they just didn't catch on. They were finicky but still effective if you treated them right.

[@joshsimonds653]

Maybe Brad should do these?

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Agreed. Brad is not doing them!

[@eda7875]

I was told rolling skins is better than sticking them together. plus, no glue problem.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

You can roll them but you still need to ensure the glue is stuck to itself and not the plush!

[@DonnePlummer69]

This guy should probably have prepared himself at least slightly before doing this.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

That seems to be the consensus and he's learned from it - thanks for the feedback.

[@Phillijr100]

What a goon in the Orange

[@JBanchiere]

Hi Brad!

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Hey Jeremy.

[@JulieLerman]

"don't try this at home" ? But I'm here to learn how to do this ...at home (and in the woods)

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

:) Hopefully you got the basics from this video, it's an old one and should be updated.

[@SlothClimbingTeam]

I wish Orange guy would of let Brad actually talk as he had real info to pass along. You could tell Brad was trying to be professional and let old mate spin his unplanned nonsense. Then when Brad spoke, old mate belittles him by saying "thanks Brad for your little part" Keep in mind he had the only part that had actual information. I can't believe i watched it again and the final cut, cuts off Brad as he's giving good info, wow,....seriously, WTF

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Hi Jay thanks for your feedback and thoughts. You are not alone in your analysis of the dynamic in this video. 'Orange Guy' is no longer doing any videos so hopefully the quality and content will be higher. I appreciate your feedback and please do keep watching.

[@g33zer]

why is bald man getting cooked so hard in the comments💀 he wasnt even bad just forgot to introduce brad

[@MrSmokensurf]

DONT GET MAD GET BRAD!!!

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Never. Hopefully, we conveyed some of the important points about skins and we entertained in the process.

[@MrSmokensurf]

I think you certainly did, and I believe my comment and many of the ones below related to Brad’s on-camera prowess can attest to that. The fact that you would reply at all is a signal you take this seriously. Thanks.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

@@MrSmokensurf Just happy the video still has some educational value given how fumbly the beginning is - This one was made 6 years ago so we've refined the process since then and yes, I (Brad) am creating most if not all the videos these days. All of our new ones are pretty pro (I hope) so please keep watching and commenting, it drives us to continually improve for you, our viewers.

[@mcnulty2798]

how are you orange suit guy? i just wanna know...0

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

He's good but no longer making video's which I am sure most people will be happy about.

[@stefancodrin]

Laughing at the french name makes you guys look really professional.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

We should never take life too seriously and at the time it was funny.

[@Measure3x]

Least informative lesson on what skins are and how to use them for beginners--which defeats the purpose of the title: ClimbingSkins 101. Not to diss, but you should really pull this video and start over. I wouldn't subscribe to your channel based on the lack of quality in this video. Andrew seems nice enough, but he needs to relax a little and start over...

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for the feedback, looking forwrd to seeing your version of a Climbing Skin over video soon :)

[@411Adidas]

So what are skins used for besides making uncomfortable videos on youtube?? why would I buy one?? Now I must go somewhere else to find out what these things purpose are for.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

They are for climbing up a snow slope so that you can ski back down. You would have to be a backcountry skier in order to need these.

[@411Adidas]

so its just a protection skin??, or does it do anything special with the adhesive?? I really see no point in this item at all. I know backcountry.com sells these for a good price but I honestly don't understand it.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

The skins grip the snow on one side and stick to your skis on the other (the adhesive side)

[@411Adidas]

Backcountry Skiing Canada so you would walk up the hill with skis on?? And leave it on when skiing back down the hill??

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

yup, skis on with skins on (you need special alpine touring bindings that let you heel leave the ski) then remove the skins and ski down like normal.

[@finerbiner]

Sizing? Seems like something pretty "basic"

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Hey Larry, sizing is pretty basic but this is a 101 video for beginners so we though to include that info as well.

[@miles9294]

guys let the orange jacket guy have a chance, stop being so hard on him

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for the feedback Miles, good to know not everyone is against him.

[@MAsWorld1]

Yeah he missed all kinds of things he was too nervous

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

well, I don't think nervous so much as just not prepared.

[@MAsWorld1]

@@Backcountryskiingcanada maybe you should RE-do it, valuable info for us newbies to AT

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

@@MAsWorld1 That's a great idea MA, might just do that. We did shoot this new skin video to help explain things more. Be sure to subscribe to the channel so you get to see all our new vids as they come out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/enXGeIevj5hqm5o

[@dominiccroucher3389]

BRAD FOR PRESIDENT

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Thanks for the nomination, up here we have Prime Ministers though :)

[@sebastianwhalin743]

Boo orange guy

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

:) seems to be the concensus.

[@xwongx]

Did they just do one take and say good enough?? Geeze. Hard to watch. Do another take

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

This was 6 years ago, so our videos have vastly improved and yes we now do second and third takes if necessary.

[@admcdona]

If you find yourself, as I did, with unanswered questions after watching this video, you might try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGK9oYGXbs11qtU I found it super helpful.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

Hopefully it answered a few of your initial questions.

[@scottberry289]

This guy is a mess...watched less than half and went to someone else who was a bit more prepared

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

While he was not organized in his thoughts, I tried to prompt him to get across the information we wanted about climbing skins. Thanks for watching Scott.

[@JamNJ1985]

Should have had brad talk not this old weird dude

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

We've taken this into consideration and appreciate the feedback James.

[@cesarjom]

wow this is what happens when no preparation is put into your presentation.

[@Backcountryskiingcanada]

He's learning.