Contour

As the days get longer and the tours become more enjoyable, the most demanding time of the year begins for ski skins - spring is demanding for both equipement and care. Where fluorine-based impregnations were used in the past, there is now a clear shift towards more environmentally friendly alternatives. These now offer comparable performance, but require more conscious and more frequent care.

The legendary PowderGuide snow depth prediction game will be at the Freeride Testival stops four times this winter - and each time you can win great prizes. PowderGuide will be present at all stops to hand out the prizes directly. At the third stop in Warth/Schröcken from March 7 to 8, 2026, you can take home unique prizes from Head, Fritschi, Black Diamond, Contour and Forest Skis worth over 2,000 euros!

The practical test of the Contour Guide Mix 2.0 shows how the PFAS-free ski touring skins perform in everyday touring. After around 20 ski tours, the reliable grip, low weight and stable adhesion were particularly impressive.

They are rarely missing even in freeride backpacks and are almost standard equipment these days; for ski touring backpacks, this has always been true anyway: a pair of climbing skins! This makes it all the more important to have a skin with the right properties. The product range is now so wide that this is no problem. In the improved guide line, Contour relies on lighter, more robust materials and improved gliding and adhesive properties. Now you can win your own pair of the revised guide skins!

Ski skins are essential for anyone who wants to be independent of lifts in the mountains. This week I present the Contour Hybrid Pure ski skins - a great choice for ski tourers looking for a high-quality companion.

Today we present a belt made from ski fur: is this GOTW a must-have or an accessory? Let's find out together!

It was the end of August 2020, I had just returned from my summer vacation, the surfboard had been put away and the ski season was just around the corner. Like any normal skier, I asked myself typical questions for the time: When is the first snow coming? How many PowderAlerts await us? Is my setup right for the new season?

Even if freeriders often pay little attention to ski touring skins, you should always keep the chapter on care in mind. Ski touring skins constantly rub against the snow and lose their waterproofing through friction and contact with the snow. Natural hair is more affected by this than synthetic products. If the climbing or gliding properties deteriorate, you should consult the manufacturer's care instructions. A block of impregnating wax to renew the protective layer is available in any outdoor store for just a few dollars. Especially with skins that have already absorbed moisture and are used in cold snow, there is a risk that lumps of snow will collect on them – the skins tend to "stollen".

The Contour cut-to-size coat is an inconspicuous candidate. Classically equipped, it seems to be a good compromise between price, performance and durability.