Comments on: A Week of Colorado — More Powder, G3 Alpinist Skins & Ski Testing http://www.wildsnow.com/1054/a-week-of-colorado-more-powder-g3-alpinist-skins/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:09:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Geoff http://www.wildsnow.com/1054/a-week-of-colorado-more-powder-g3-alpinist-skins/comment-page-2/#comment-9214 Geoff Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:03:18 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1054#comment-9214 Here are some pros and cons that I've found in using the G3 Alpinist skins. (I've have used Ascension/BD skins for many years.) I've found that the G3 skins have much better glide than the 2007-2008 orange Ascension/BD skins. I estimate that I can climb about 300 ft./hr faster with the same effort with the G3 skins. On a dry powder track, the G3 grip is good, but when the snow is wet or the track is glazed, they slip back in situations where the BD skins would hold. I've also found that, unless I'm very careful about how I apply the tip of the G3 skin to the ski, snow works in between the skin and the ski. The BD skins don't seem to require as much care in applying them. The G3 glue seems to be less tolerant of contamination with snow than the BD glue, and it's more difficult to scrape the snow off the G3 glue. With the G3s, I've also found that I have to use Lou's method of removing part of the skin and folding, then removing the rest of the skin. If it is at all windy, I can't just rip the whole skin with the skis attached to me feet as I can with the BD skins, or else I wind up with a tangle of skin. A friend of mine also had the tip attachment break off of one of his G3 Alpinist skins. After about 10 days of skiing on the G3 skins, I'm seeing some fraying around the edges of the skins. Here are some pros and cons that I’ve found in using the G3 Alpinist skins. (I’ve have used Ascension/BD skins for many years.) I’ve found that the G3 skins have much better glide than the 2007-2008 orange Ascension/BD skins. I estimate that I can climb about 300 ft./hr faster with the same effort with the G3 skins. On a dry powder track, the G3 grip is good, but when the snow is wet or the track is glazed, they slip back in situations where the BD skins would hold. I’ve also found that, unless I’m very careful about how I apply the tip of the G3 skin to the ski, snow works in between the skin and the ski. The BD skins don’t seem to require as much care in applying them. The G3 glue seems to be less tolerant of contamination with snow than the BD glue, and it’s more difficult to scrape the snow off the G3 glue. With the G3s, I’ve also found that I have to use Lou’s method of removing part of the skin and folding, then removing the rest of the skin. If it is at all windy, I can’t just rip the whole skin with the skis attached to me feet as I can with the BD skins, or else I wind up with a tangle of skin. A friend of mine also had the tip attachment break off of one of his G3 Alpinist skins. After about 10 days of skiing on the G3 skins, I’m seeing some fraying around the edges of the skins.

]]> By: goatboy http://www.wildsnow.com/1054/a-week-of-colorado-more-powder-g3-alpinist-skins/comment-page-2/#comment-9160 goatboy Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:57:15 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1054#comment-9160 I think Gold Label glue works great, because it is more fluid than other glues I've tried. Use it with care and good ventilation, and you won't get messy. As for cleaning off the old glue, I've just discovered an easy & mess-free method: Use a heating gun to heat/melt the old glue, work in about 15cm sections at a time. You'll see when the glue has melted, it gets more shiny. Then take a knife (just an ordinary, dull kitchen knife) and scrape off the hot glue. Have some pieces of cardboard at hand, to wipe the glue off the knife. Throw the cardboard w/ glue in the trash, and start heating the next section. No mess. I think Gold Label glue works great, because it is more fluid than other glues I’ve tried. Use it with care and good ventilation, and you won’t get messy.
As for cleaning off the old glue, I’ve just discovered an easy & mess-free method: Use a heating gun to heat/melt the old glue, work in about 15cm sections at a time. You’ll see when the glue has melted, it gets more shiny. Then take a knife (just an ordinary, dull kitchen knife) and scrape off the hot glue. Have some pieces of cardboard at hand, to wipe the glue off the knife. Throw the cardboard w/ glue in the trash, and start heating the next section. No mess.

]]> By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/1054/a-week-of-colorado-more-powder-g3-alpinist-skins/comment-page-2/#comment-9159 Lou Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:43:10 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1054#comment-9159 Marc, that's one job I've always just paid someone at a shop to do as we don't need it that frequently and I've thus never wanted to take the time to master the craft. Skinny Skis in Jackson is where we always send the skins. Marc, that’s one job I’ve always just paid someone at a shop to do as we don’t need it that frequently and I’ve thus never wanted to take the time to master the craft. Skinny Skis in Jackson is where we always send the skins.

]]> By: Marc http://www.wildsnow.com/1054/a-week-of-colorado-more-powder-g3-alpinist-skins/comment-page-2/#comment-9158 Marc Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:11:19 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1054#comment-9158 Lou- What's your experience with regluing skins? The skins themselves always seem to outlast the glue. I've got a pair of purple Ascention skins that are on their fifth year. At this point, they leave trace amounts of glue on the base of my skis every time I use them. I've done some research on regluing and hear it's a messy job. But I'm wondering if you have any experience with the G3 iron-on glue strips vs. the Gold Label brush-on glue. Seems the iron-on would be a bit cleaner and easier to manage. Any thoughts? Many thanks, Marc. Lou-

What’s your experience with regluing skins? The skins themselves always seem to outlast the glue. I’ve got a pair of purple Ascention skins that are on their fifth year. At this point, they leave trace amounts of glue on the base of my skis every time I use them. I’ve done some research on regluing and hear it’s a messy job. But I’m wondering if you have any experience with the G3 iron-on glue strips vs. the Gold Label brush-on glue. Seems the iron-on would be a bit cleaner and easier to manage. Any thoughts?

Many thanks, Marc.

]]> By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/1054/a-week-of-colorado-more-powder-g3-alpinist-skins/comment-page-2/#comment-9148 Lou Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:32:04 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1054#comment-9148 Craig, that's weird, I have not experienced the G3s having any noticeably worse grip than other skins I've been using. Honestly, if I'd noticed that I would have mentioned it. But if that's your experience then so bit it. Perhaps you discovered something dependent on a specific snow condition -- I tested on a packed powder skin track. Ebay is indeed handy. Craig, that’s weird, I have not experienced the G3s having any noticeably worse grip than other skins I’ve been using. Honestly, if I’d noticed that I would have mentioned it. But if that’s your experience then so bit it. Perhaps you discovered something dependent on a specific snow condition — I tested on a packed powder skin track. Ebay is indeed handy.

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