Oct 28, 2026

Ski Crampons: When You Need Them and How to Choose

Backcountry Guide

Ski Crampons: When You Need Them and How to Choose

Touring advice from the shop on the Mountain Road in Stowe, Vermont

From the MountainOps crew in Stowe, VT · 2 min read

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On a firm morning or a wind-scoured traverse, skins alone can struggle to hold. Ski crampons, also called harscheisen, are metal blades that mount under the binding and bite into hard snow and ice as you climb. They are small, light and one of the most useful pieces of gear in a touring pack, especially in New England where icy skin tracks are common.

The short version

Ski crampons bite into firm snow and ice where skins start to slip.
They let you keep skinning instead of switching to booting.
They are specific to your binding brand and model.
Their width needs to match or slightly exceed your ski's waist.

When to use them

Put ski crampons on when your skins start slipping on firm snow, on long sidehill traverses and on steep icy pitches of the skin track. They let you keep skinning where you would otherwise have to switch to booting, which saves time and energy. Many tourers put them on before a known icy section rather than waiting until they are slipping.

ATK Ski Crampons

How they work

Most ski crampons mount to a slot or bracket on the binding toe piece. On many designs, the blades lift out of the snow when the heel rises and press in when the ski is weighted, which keeps them from dragging on each stride. The heel riser height affects how deep the blades bite on some systems.

Choosing the right pair

Ski crampons are specific to binding brands and models, so start with the binding you have. They also come in widths that need to match or slightly exceed the waist of your ski. A crampon that is too narrow will not engage properly, and one that is far too wide adds weight and can catch. Check the width guidance from the binding maker and match it to your ski.

What to check	Why it matters
Binding brand and model	Ski crampons mount to specific bindings
Ski waist width	The crampon must match or slightly exceed the waist
Heel riser use	On some systems, riser height changes how deep the blades bite

Carrying them

Ski crampons are light enough to live in your pack all season. A small bag or the tool pocket of a touring pack keeps the blades from tearing up your other gear.