Key takeaways
- Skinning is climbing uphill on skis with climbing skins for grip and the heel released.
- You slide the skis forward (not lift them), letting the skins grip to prevent backslip.
- Kick turns let you change direction on steep switchbacks without taking skis off.
- Efficient technique — gliding, weighting the skins, using heel risers — saves huge energy.
From 'climbing skins'.
What skinning is
Skinning is the technique of climbing uphill on skis using climbing skins stuck to the ski bases for grip, with the touring binding’s heel released so you can stride. It’s the core uphill skill of ski touring and backcountry skiing — how you ‘earn your turns’.
The technique
The key is to slide the skis forward, not lift them, letting the skins’ directional grip prevent backslip. Keep your weight centered over the skis so the skins bite, take smooth gliding strides, and use heel risers to ease your calves on steeper grades.
Kick turns
To switchback up steep slopes, you use a kick turn: pivot one ski to point the opposite way, then bring the other around to match — reversing direction 180° in place without taking your skis off. Kick turns let you zigzag up terrain too steep to climb straight.
Heading up a backcountry bowl, a tourer sets a moderate skin-track angle, glides their skis forward in a steady rhythm with heel risers up, and links kick turns at each switchback — ascending efficiently instead of exhausting themselves lifting the skis.
For snowboarders, the equivalent is skinning on a split splitboard.
The bottom line
Skinning is how skiers climb — striding uphill on skis gripped by climbing skins, heel released, the foundational skill of ski touring and the backcountry. Efficiency is everything: glide rather than lift, weight the skins, use heel risers, set a smart track angle, and master kick turns for switchbacks. Good skinning technique turns a brutal slog into a sustainable rhythm.
Frequently asked questions
What is skinning?
Skinning is climbing uphill on skis using climbing skins attached to the ski bases for traction, with the touring binding's heel released so you can stride forward. It's the core uphill technique of ski touring and backcountry skiing — the way you earn your turns by ascending under your own power.
How do you skin efficiently?
Slide the skis forward along the snow rather than lifting them, keep your weight centered over the skis so the skins grip, take smooth gliding strides, and use heel risers (lifters) to ease your calves on steeper grades. Setting a sensible skin-track angle (not too steep) and using kick turns to switchback up steep slopes also conserve energy.
What is a kick turn in skinning?
A kick turn is a technique for reversing direction on a steep skin track without removing your skis: you pivot one ski to point the opposite way, then bring the other around to match, changing your direction by 180 degrees in place. Kick turns let you zigzag (switchback) up slopes too steep to skin straight up.
Sources
- Ski touring technique — The Mountaineers
- Backcountry travel — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education