-
Want to zip down ski slopes faster? Properly waxing your skis is one of the best ways to accomplish this.
Glide wax is applied to skis to reduce friction by creating a smooth and slick surface that sheds water efficiently. Wax not only allows skiers to increase their speed and turn with more control, it can extend the life of your skis. - Not all ski waxes are created the same. Ski wax is usually sold in colored bars. The color of wax you need to use depends on the temperature and type of snow on which you ski. Each brand of ski wax should have a chart telling you which color to choose based on these conditions.
-
Waxing your skis is a somewhat tedious but important task that will lead to more fun on the slopes. The more frequently skis are waxed, the faster they will glide over snow. As a general rule, wax should be applied to skis after every 10th day of use, if not more often.
Watching someone else wax his skis is a good way to learn. Besides the actual ski wax, the basic tools that are required include a vice to hold your skis, a waxing iron, a plastic scraper, a coarse brush, a fine brush and a polishing cloth.
Always work from the tip to the tail of the ski. After cleaning the ski, add melted wax to its base. Iron with light pressure so that wax covers the entire width of the ski base. Allow the wax to cool completely before scraping the ski with a plastic scraper. The base should then be brushed--first with a coarse brush and then with a finer one--and polished with a cloth.
