Skins are ribbons of fabric that are attached to bottom of touring skis. The fabric has hair that lays down pointing to the tail of the skis. As you slide over the snow the hairs lay down as the ski slides forward, but grips the snow if the ski slides back. This allows the ski hiker to slide walk with skis up a moderate slope. Generally, when ready to ski down the hard earned elevation, the skins are removed and stashed in the backpack.
These polyester type skins have a special glue that allow the skins to adhere to the skis. This really is a special glue.... sticky enough to stick to the skis but easy to pull off. I use a plastic mesh to cover the glued surface when storing the skins. Also the skins usually incorporate a tip loop to hook onto the front tip of the ski. Wide tip loops are needed for a lot of the wide skis. Some skins also use a tail hook to attach to the tail of the ski. There are some skins that can be pre-cut for your skis, but usually we get wide and long skins and cut them to fit.
That is the short of it. There are lots of considerations.
You can forgo skins and simply carry your skis as you hike up the slope, but where is the fun in that?
Frankly, carrying your skis is often necessary and skinning is only necessary when you otherwise would need snow shoes or would rather not carry your skis.
Also:
www.theadventurelife.org/2010/03/60-seco...your-climbing-skins/
pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Gear/Skins
www.justgetout.net/Wenatchee/15693
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