As with any ski or snowboard equipment, touring skis and skins require a little maintenance to preserve their technical qualities and keep them in good condition for as long as possible.
You just need a few simple gestures - we’ll explain everything!
You should look after your touring skis in the same way as your Alpine skis. Wax them every 5 to 10 uses, when the soles begin to whiten.
Also remember to sharpen the edges when necessary. As edges wear out faster on the piste, you will need to sharpen your touring skis less often that your alpine skis.
In order to slow down the wear and tear of the soles and edges, use ski velcro straps when transporting them to avoid friction.
It is possible to wax and sharpen your skis yourself, as long as you have the equipment and tools that you need.
If you prefer to have your skis maintained by professionals, you can go to the specialist workshops in Decathlon stores, where a dedicated team will take care of your equipment. From cleaning to waxing, and not forgetting sharpening the edges, sole repair or storage, they take care of everything!
The main maintenance that your skins will need is re-gluing (except for new skins)
Remember to quickly re-glue the skin regularly to ensure that it adheres well to the ski. You can find the glue in a spray or tube form that is very easy to apply to your skins. Remember to carry it in your bag when you go hiking in case one of your skins lacks grip.
From time to time, you will need to do a complete re-gluing by completely removing the glue from your skins using a waxing iron (an old iron will also do) and a scraper. You can also improve the glide of your skins using skin wax, or make them more waterproof using waterproof spray. This way your skins will not become waterlogged and will be lighter and dry faster. Once your skins are clean, apply a layer of glue evenly over the skins and leave to dry for 24 hours.
Do not glue your skins together and use nets instead, as this will preserve the glue.
To prevent damage to your skins, take time after each outing to dry it properly. Then fold them up carefully and store them in their covers to protect them from dust.
You can use a skin net to prevent the glue on the skins from being in contact through the whole summer and degrading too quickly.
YOU NOW HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN YOUR TOURING SKIS AND TO KEEP USING THEM AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE!
digital leader
#powderday