Denis Trento slipped while hiking in the mountains, that’s what ‘skins’

The ski mountaineering champion Denis Trento died in his mountains, in La Salle, during a skinning trip: here's what type of equipment it is and how to use it

AOSTA – Multi-decorated ski mountaineering athlete, Denis Trento died at the age of 41 in his mountains, in La Salle: according to reconstructions, he slipped on the mountainside during a skin trip. But what are “skins” excursions? Not everyone knows this equipment, which is very well known in the Valle d’Aosta area and obviously for those who are passionate about ski mountaineering.

READ ALSO: He slips and dies during a skin trip: goodbye to Denis Trento, ski-mountaineering champion

WHAT ARE SKINS

Here’s how it works: to practice ski mountaineering, when climbing, you put “sealskins” under your skis, which in the early years of the sport were made of real animal skin and < strong>today they are made of synthetic material. They prevent you from slipping towards the valley while traveling uphill.
With a change of setup, you can remove the skins and start a descent, or even put on crampons by taking off the skis for parts where move more agilely in mixed terrain.Sealskins are now bands of synthetic fabric, adhesive on one side, which athletes fold and slip under their suit during races to speed up the change of setup.
If the snow conditions require it,“knives” can be placed under the skis, crampons that guarantee climbing in even more difficult conditions. p>