You can buy them in two lengths. The second is kicker skins, meant mostly for climbing long hills and can be easily removed when you don't need them. Climbing skins are made of mostly mohair and angora goat hair although non-natural skins such as nylon and plastic are becoming more popular. Natural skins seem to be better for colder, drier snow seen in the Rockies and synthetic skins are better in the wetter, more slushier snow often seen in the West. Hot waxes, often referred to as glide waxes, are applied with an electric waxing iron.
Many skiers simply buy a cheap, non-steam clothing iron as a dedicated waxing iron.
Place skis bottom-side up on a workbench or counter. A ski vise helps make the waxing job easier by keeping the skis in place. Then iron the wax droplets along the ski with light strokes until the ski base appears wet. Keep the iron moving. If the wax starts to smoke, your iron is too hot.