The Big Sky Mountain Products’ Mohair Mix Endurance Skin is a 65/35 mohair/nylon plush skin made by some good Bozeman folks. Photo: BSMP
A decent price, skin glue that meets the stickiness not-too-sticky benchmark, tip and tail security, and, if you are so stirred, the choice of a jungle print or pineapple patterned skin (in a nylon varietal)—all from Bozeman made Big Sky Mountain Products. A review of the BSMP Mohair Mix Endurance Skin.
Ski Touring is mostly uphill skiing. Much of the danger, most of the challenge, most of the route-finding, most of the time, is going uphill. Also, that’s where, if not most, at least some of the fun is found. Up is the place for conversations, contemplations, meditations, and possibly
frustrations. I am good with some old-fashioned hard work. In fact, I’m for it. But early last season, my go-to skins, in a period I felt was far too short, especially for the price, began to fail. I couldn’t trust my skins to not slip off; the hardware was fragile (broken tail clip, and the nose tip was prone to flying off). On one December tour, with one skin slipped half-off in a not-too-cool spot, I promised myself this was the final flail. I was skiing Line Vision 108 skis (review here) and contacted one of Line’s sponsored athletes to ask what skins he used.
There are different ways to effectively attach a skin: the BSMP attachment system (lower left) uses a plastic tail clip (yah, it holds mighty good) and a straight sauce rigid wire tip clip. And does not require any mixed martial arts know how to deal with the glue or remove from skis.
A few days later, a pair of Big Sky Mountain Product Mohair Mix Endurance Skins showed up. I skied them most of all last season, putting about 70 tours on them in everything from deep to coral reef. Never came off my skis except when I pulled them off at the top. I’ve had some skins that approached a mixed martial arts level of grappling to get them off or pull them apart to get them on. Standing one-legged in a hurricane like an arctic flamingo, they can be ripped off with poise and grace with your skis on. They slide plenty fast. I waxed them for warm spring storms, and they got even faster. I feel like I skin pretty steep—sometimes to the consternation of my partners—and always had great traction. They are frustration-free and totally reliable.
I weighed them at 245g per skin cut for 183cm, 108mm underfoot skis. A Pomoca Climb 2.o (the yellow skins that are a 70/30 mohair/nylon mix) cut for the same ski weighs 235g and cost ~$190 (100mm) and ~$200 (120mm).
They’re affordable. My BSMP skins, pre-cut and assembled, cost $180.
They’re made in Bozeman, MT. That’s right, USA, baby!
I’m into my second season, and so far, total satisfaction.
Yah, a very close up of the tail clip on the Line Vision 108. Sky blue—it’s a nice touch.
A very close up of the BSMP tip clip on fitted (nicely we will add) on a Line Vision 108 ski.
The company is driven toward building durable, long-lived products. Lifetime warranty on tip and tail hardware —both of which are built tough enough that I have the confidence they’ll last, and a two-year warranty on the glue and plush, which, so far, has stood up to rock, snow, heat, and cold. I’ve since been in touch with the Big Sky Mountain Product team and found communication and service fast.
There are different skin options to pick from, including splitboards. They have full nylon skins with cool designs or the pure black mohair/nylon mix that I have. They have a re-glue service (for any brand skin), there are tips for touring, and cool stories about the company and who is involved with it on their site. And I would go on to tell you how these skins made me a tic-toc star, solved my marital issues, and made for a nice no-slip toupee. But honestly, they’re great skins for skiing uphill at a great price.
If you need some skins, I highly recommend you check these out.
You can find Big Sky Mountain Products’ skins right…here.
