One aspect is an exemplary climbing skin extending along a longitudinal axis. For example, the skin may comprise: an attachment surface engageable with an undersurface of the snow device; a glide surface that slides across snow when moved in a forward direction along a longitudinal axis of the skin and resists sliding across the snow when moved in a rearward direction along the longitudinal axis; and a stiffener element disposed between the attachment surface and the glide surface to resist a lateral bending about the longitudinal axis and permit a longitudinal bending about a lateral axis of the skin that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

One aspect is an exemplary climbing skin extending along a longitudinal axis. For example, the skin may comprise: an attachment surface engageable with an undersurface of the snow device; a glide surface that slides across snow when moved in a forward direction along a longitudinal axis of the skin and resists sliding across the snow when moved in a rearward direction along the longitudinal axis; and a stiffener element disposed between the attachment surface and the glide surface to resist a lateral bending about the longitudinal axis and permit a longitudinal bending about a lateral axis of the skin that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Provided herein is a composition for cleaning skin strips of skin skis, in particular for removing hydrophobic compounds, such as oils, resins, grease, and/or waxes, from the surface of the skin strips. The composition comprises (a) C.sub.1-6-alcohol; (b) at least 10% by weight of the total weight of the composition of dibasic ester(s) of formula R.sup.1OC(O)(CH.sub.2).sub.nC(O)OR.sup.1, wherein n is 2 to 4; and each R.sup.1 is independently C.sub.1-6-alkyl, (c) 0 to 5% by weight of the total weight of the composition of alkoxyalkanol(s) of formula R.sup.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.mOH wherein m is 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, and R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-6-alkyl, preferably C.sub.3-6-alkyl; and (d) 0 to 5% by weight of the total weight of the composition of tri(C.sub.1-6-alkanol) amine(s).

Provided herein is a composition for improving performance of waxless skis, in particular skin skis, more particularly of skin strips, on snow, the composition comprising (a) C.sub.1-6-alcohol(s); and (b) lubricant(s) selected from a group consisting of (c) perfluoropolyethers, (d) polydi(C.sub.1-3-alkyl)siloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

Provided herein is a composition for improving performance of waxless skis, in particular skin skis, more particularly of skin strips, on snow, the composition comprising (a) C.sub.1-6-alcohol(s); and (b) lubricant(s) selected from a group consisting of (c) perfluoropolyethers, (d) polydi(C.sub.1-3-alkyl)siloxanes, and mixtures thereof.

A snowshoe provides a way for outdoor enthusiasts to traverse the backcountry effectively and efficiently. The snowshoe allows the user to glide through the snow like a cross-country ski, but with the minimal footprint of a traditional snowshoe. The snowshoe includes a board and a binding mechanism that secures the user to the board, but allows for a pivoting motion. The pivoting motion allows the user to ascend steep terrain by performing a motion similar to cross-country skiing.

A snowshoe provides a way for outdoor enthusiasts to traverse the backcountry effectively and efficiently. The snowshoe allows the user to glide through the snow like a cross-country ski, but with the minimal footprint of a traditional snowshoe. The snowshoe includes a board and a binding mechanism that secures the user to the board, but allows for a pivoting motion. The pivoting motion allows the user to ascend steep terrain by performing a motion similar to cross-country skiing.

A snowshoe-ski kit comprising a hybrid snowshoe-ski comprising a main body defining a bottom surface operative for moving over snow and having a snowshoe-ski traction coefficient, and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The hybrid snowshoe-ski further comprises a binding attached to the main body for attachment to a person's foot atop the top surface. The kit also comprises a first removable and reversible sheet-like skin having opposite first and second surfaces each defining respective first and second skin traction coefficients that differ from each other and that differ from the snowshoe-ski bottom surface traction coefficient. The first skin is removably attachable to the snowshoe-ski main body with either one of the first and second surfaces bearing against the bottom surface and the other one of the first and second surfaces being exposed, for allowing the snowshoe-ski to be operatively used either alone or with the first skin installed with either one of the first and second skin surfaces exposed.

The present invention is a skin cleat device for increasing grip while ski touring. The skin cleat is configured to be attached around a ski by a skier without disengaging the ski boot from the skis and can be removed and re-attached depending on the needs of the user. The skin cleat is a strap-like device that includes two end sections and a studded central section there-between. The central section is intended to be placed underneath the base of the ski and skin such that the studs extend into the snow. The two end sections can be attached together by a coupling to form a continuous structure around the waist of the ski. Using the coupling, the structure can be tightened around the ski securing it in place and preventing the skin cleat from rotating around the ski or the studs from moving substantially when in use.

The present invention is a skin cleat device for increasing grip while ski touring. The skin cleat is configured to be attached around a ski by a skier without disengaging the ski boot from the skis and can be removed and re-attached depending on the needs of the user. The skin cleat is a strap-like device that includes two end sections and a studded central section there-between. The central section is intended to be placed underneath the base of the ski and skin such that the studs extend into the snow. The two end sections can be attached together by a coupling to form a continuous structure around the waist of the ski. Using the coupling, the structure can be tightened around the ski securing it in place and preventing the skin cleat from rotating around the ski or the studs from moving substantially when in use.