Re-cutting skins to fit a new ski

I recently broke my new AT (alpine touring) set up when I was on a snowmobiling trip in Camp Hale. As a result, I had to adapt my set up for my upcoming hut trip this weekend. I was postponing this task because I was hoping that Armada Skis was going replenish or at least give me a discount on the one ski that I broke. They did not compensate me at all. I was actually surprised by this as most ski companies are great about helping you fix your equipment. Anyway, now that I have one brand new pair of Armada JJ's rendered virtually useless ( I think I am actually going to donate my one good ski to this site: http://www.sitski.com/monoinvail.htm) my mission was to re-cut and fit my climbing skins onto my telemark set up. I had to adapt my set up for my upcoming hut trip this weekend.

I have an extra-wide pair of G3 climbing skins and I had to cut them down to fit my smaller Volkl Gotama skis. Here is a link to great directions: https://www.climbingskinsdirect.com/trimDirect.html The first step in the process was removing the top leash that connects the skin to the ski. I did this by unscrewing the three screws that held clamp down. This released the skin and allowed me to fold the ski and and measure where I wanted to cut it.

I then marked a line with pen where I wanted to cut it and then cut the skin with a pair of ordinary scissors. Next, I want to re-attache the to leash of the skin back to the newly skized pair of skins. I was lucky enough to attain new G3 screws from the shop I bought my skins at. I highly recomend getting new screws as you want to not only screw the clamp closed but pierce through the skins to you know they are attached.

Next is to file down the ends of the screws with a metal file. This took about an hour of hard work, but the result is perfection!

The last and final step is to reapply the skins to your skis and use a G3 skin trimming tool to cut the sides of the skins so just the edge of your ski is exposed. This is a good idea when you are climbing up a steep slope and need to dig your edges in the side of the hill. I obtained a G3 cutting tool at the same shop I bought my skins. They were super helpful and showed me the proper technique. If you are looking to buy skins I highly recomend Neptune Mountaineering in South Boulder. www.neptunemountaineering.com It is a great shop!

Ok, well that's it for me. I am off to the Fowler-Hillard hut in Camp Hale and we are expected 8-16 inches of snow tonight! I will update when I return.

Cheers