How to Buy Ski Wax
Waxing your skis is particularly important if you want to enjoy cross-country skiing. Even if you have waxless skis, you should still have a certain amount of "waxing" equipment on hand to make the most of your day in the snow.
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Instructions
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Wax On for a Smooth Ride
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Buy paste wax to apply to your ski tips and tails if you are a casual, "once in awhile" cross-country skier with waxless skis. You'll need to apply wax only a few times a year to keep your skis in good shape.
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Talk to your ski shop professional about a kick wax if you are a casual skier with waxable skis. This should include three types of wax, including a base which is applied under the other layers of wax.
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Buy wax which is applied hot to your skis tips and tails if you own a pair of waxable skis. You will probably also need to buy a heating accessory to bring the wax to the proper temperature for application.
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Look for wax accessories like brushes and scrapers which you will need to prep your skis for waxing. Before each waxing, you will need to scrape the old layer of wax off. Next you will brush the skis with a series of different brushes. This will open the pores of the skis and ready them to accept the wax.
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Find a waxing kit that is recommended by your ski instructor or other ski professional. If you are in training for competition, discuss your options with your coach. Depending on the model of skis you compete with and how frequently you use them, you may need to use a different series of waxes.
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Tips & Warnings
Talk to a ski professional about when and where to apply wax on your skis. Many pro shops will offer periodic tutorials on the proper care and maintenance of cross-country skis.
Use a file to sharpen your wax scraper before each use. By holding the file still and running the scraper along the edge at an angle you will achieve a sharper edge.
Use care when handling hot wax. If you get any hot wax on your skin, apply cool water to cool down the wax before attempting to remove the wax from your skin. Seek professional medical assistance if you are seriously burned.
Children should be supervised while applying wax to their skis. This process can be dangerous if the materials and tools are not handled correctly.
