K2 offers climbing skins for almost all K2 ski models suitable for touring, which can be attached directly using a clip system in the ski. Mountain guide and photographer Stefan Nehauser reports on his first experiences with the skins for you.
I tested the K2 skins to match the K2 Sideseth skis. At 118 mm, the Sideseth is relatively wide as a touring ski. The skins are of course brand new. This test therefore applies to the new product. However, I will continue to use the skins over the course of the winter to get an impression of the suitability of the K2 skins for long-distance skiing.
Test conditions:
Tour: approx. 1000 vertical meters from the Col de Vars (Alpes de Haute Provence, France) up to the Col du Crachet. Altitude between 2000 and 3000 meters.
The temperatures were very high, the zero degree limit was at noon at about 3200 meters.
The exposures on this tour are east, south and northeast. All types of snow were represented: frozen to sun-soft firn, sometimes very wet, but also fine-grained wet snow and dry powder.
Fastening:
The fastening system used by K2 is a fine idea. K2 has equipped its touring and freeride skis with holes at the tip and tail of the ski. In the tip area of the ski, the skin is hooked in with an S-shaped hook that holds on the base-parallel pull. The hook is small and light and offers no sliding resistance when grinding in the snow. At the end of the skin there is a rubber that is attached to the top of the ski with a hook. This means that there is no annoying part at the rear that drags in the snow and slows down or can be worn down. The attachment is super easy to use: attach at the front, stick the skin on neatly, tighten at the back and attach the rubber cord.
Gliding ability:
At the start of the tour, the gliding ability of the skins disappointed me. However, the trail consisted of coarse-grained, frozen firn. In wet snow, wet firn and powder, however, the skins glided wonderfully.
Slump susceptibility:
Although I kept switching between wet snow, wet firn and dry powder, I didn't notice the slightest slump formation.
Holding power:
The track was quite chaotic in the approx. 35-38 degree steep passages with too steep and too many turns. I really got to borderline track steepness. There was not a single backslide or feeling of insecurity with the skins.
Cut: The skins are super cleanly cut to the ski, which certainly has a positive effect on the grip. An important advantage with K2: thanks to the fastening system and the clean cut, the grip is optimized. With wide freeride skis, you are already a little less secure on the edge than with narrower skis.
Conclusion
If you are skiing on a K2 ski and need a skin, you should also try to get a skin that matches the ski. Alternatively, K2 also offers skins that you can cut yourself if the matching skins are not available. So at least you have the typical K2 fastening system.
Data
Manufacturer: K2
Model: Sideseth Skins
Material: Nylon/Mohair Mix
Weight: unknown
Price (RRP): 149,95 Euro
Stefan Neuhauser - mountain guide & photographer
