IT ALL STARTED IN THE TETONS...

The best snow always seemed to be just one steep, icy skin track over the next ridge. My thirst for powder led me to make many sketchy skin ascents.  After backsliding one too many times, I came up with the idea for the original skin cleats--basically a Voile Strap with some screws through it.

I shared my garage-made prototype with Scott and a few other friends in the Tetons, and it worked!  Scott convinced me to patent the idea and SKEATS™ was born.  I designed the first several commercial models up to the Glide Fin.  A few years later Leonardo joined us with his awesome Claw model--designed for steep skinning and sketchy traversing on hard snow and ice.

I've always enjoyed the puzzle of ski/snowboard mountaineering.  A puzzle that requires the full exertion of body, mind and spirit.  The skillful blend of our human abilities and existing equipment is required to succeed and survive in the back-country.  I am thrilled to know that my invention has helped so many people with their own backcountry adventures.  Skin Steeper, Ride Deeper.

-Patrick Gasparro

GALLERY