Safe Skinning – Guidelines for Uphill Skiing at Ski Resorts

Skinning is a fantastic way to enjoy the stunning nature of the fells. In the photo Tuomo Poukkanen (Ylläs), Kalle Lumio (Ukkohalla), and Kari Koskimaa (Salla) from the Finnish Ski Resort Association board, exploring in Pallas.

Skinning – ascending slopes with climbing skins – is an incredible sport. It lets you reconnect with the roots of skiing and, with a bit of luck, reach untouched snow. More often than not, both the scenery and company are great. Fitness improves rapidly as you make your way to the top with nothing but you and your skis. There are countless reasons to go skinning.

In Lapland, skinning is a perfect way to move in nature and climb over beautiful gullies. It’s no wonder skinning has become more popular throughout Finland. But it’s not limited to the fells – skinners are increasingly seen on southern slopes as well. Local hills are ideal for getting familiar with your gear and testing its performance while also training for longer trips.

Skinning is generally safe and harmless. Of course, nature has its risks, such as getting lost, rapidly changing weather, and even avalanches. In ski resort environments, these dangers are mostly absent, but other hazards remain: collisions with other slope users or maintenance vehicles.

Night Skinning is Full of Risks

Skinning at dusk or in the darkness of night can be amazing. A headlamp illuminates the snow, allowing you to enjoy nature quietly. Groomed slopes may seem perfectly smooth, but the reality is different.

After slopes close, the hills aren’t empty – grooming begins for the next day’s skiers. The bright lights of the snowcat are visible from afar, but the driver has difficulty seeing anyone on a closed slope amid flying snow.

Steep slopes can pose a real hazard. Snowcats often rely on winches for movement, and the winch cable is attached at the top of steep sections. In the dark, an invisible cable can stretch hundreds of meters, moving up, down, and sideways with the machine. A suddenly tightening cable is life-threatening, and colliding with it can be fatal.

Even if the snowcat has already groomed a slope, you should avoid skiing on it. Freshly groomed snow is soft, and overnight it’s meant to harden for optimal skiing when the slopes are open.

Being on a slope outside opening hours endangers your own health, disrupts others’ work, and puts fellow skiers at risk by leaving tracks on groomed snow. It’s also important to note that after closing, first aid from the ski resort is not available.

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Follow the Rules, Enjoy Skinning

To prevent accidents, the Finnish Ski Area Association (SHKY) has published guidelines for skinning on ski resort areas.

Marked routes for skinning may vary throughout the season. Factors affecting route choice include ongoing maintenance work on slopes, snow depth, weather conditions, season, and visitor numbers. Ski resorts may also adapt the guidelines according to their specific environment.
Skinning guidelines are not unique to Finland – similar rules exist in Austria, Switzerland, and Andorra.

The rules are not meant to hinder skinners but to ensure safety for everyone. Finland still welcomes skinners, and most resorts continue to do so.

FSAA Skinning Guidelines

1. Skinning on marked slopes is prohibited.
2. Check whether skinning is allowed in the ski resort area.
3. Use only routes designated by the resort for ascending.
4. Follow the resort’s rules, warnings, and instructions.
5. Do not disturb others skiing on the slopes.
6. Skinning is done at your own risk; you must yield to others.
7. Make sure you are visible. Use lights in dim or dark conditions.
8. Pets are not allowed on ski resort slopes.
9. Do not access closed slopes.
10. Moving on slopes outside opening hours is prohibited.
    

Climbing routes may be marked on the slope map with a yellow dashed line. An arrow indicates the ascent direction, as others on the slope may not anticipate skinners’ movements.