Ski Wax Information

Proper wax makes skiing and snowboarding more enjoyable.

Whatever type of ski sport you try, downhill, cross country or even snowboarding, the waxing of the skis is an important preparation step to aid in the performance of your skis. Ski wax is affected by humidity, wind speed, snow conditions, weather and temperature, according to the On the Snow website.

Types

There are three basic types of wax: warm wax for 25 to 35 F, intermediate wax for 15 to 25 F and cold wax for 10 F, according to the website VISI. There are more types of wax available, but for beginners the keep it simple theory applies; too many different waxes gets complicated and can provide inconsistent results.

Preparation

An ordinary clothing iron is the most common method of applying wax onto your skis, according to the On the Snow's website. But the first step that needs to be accomplished prior to waxing is to make sure that your skis have been professionally tuned. No amount of wax on dull or gouged edges is going to enhance the performance of skis that are not in top condition.

Application

Temperature of the iron should be on the lowest setting, according to the On the Snow. Press the wax against the bottom of the iron and then melt it onto the ski bases. Another option is an iron specifically designed for the application of wax onto skis, according to the VISI. A waxing iron can be more expensive; however, some of the newer models can improve the flow of wax onto the ski base. Professionals will just melt the wax and apply it by brush.

Coverage

Using light pressure, slowly iron the wax onto the base in a tip to tail continuous motion. The total width of the ski base should be covered with wax, according to VISI. Gaps show up when the base is not flat and the base may need to be scraped or ground more, or more wax can be dripped into these spots. The iron is too hot if the wax starts smoking.

Finishing

The wax should be allowed to cool for approximately 20 minutes or more, according to On the Snow. After the wax has cooled completely, use a profession-grade scraper to take off the excess wax. Using a nylon brush over the base will finish off the waxing process. If your ski base is "dry" or if it has been some time since the last waxing, this process may need to be repeated several times. The goal is to force enough wax into the pores of the base.

Storage

During the off season, it is a good idea to apply a liberal amount of wax onto the bases of your skis before you store them away, according to On the Snow. Do not scrape off the excess wax and store the skis separately in a long piece of plastic wrap. Then bind the two skis together with a cloth hook-and-loop ski holder. After putting so much time, cost and effort into your ski experience, you want to protect your investment.

References

• On the Snow: Why Waxing Your Skis is Important
• VISI: Fast Wax