How to Apply Ski Wax to Cross Country Skis

There are different waxes for different snow conditions.

Cross-country skiing is great exercise and can be a lot of fun. But unless your skis are waxless, or embossed to prevent slippage, the center third will need to be waxed for grip throughout the season. There are different waxes for different kinds of snow and temperature. But once you choose the right wax and get some practice applying it, you will be out on the snow in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Masking tape
• Sandpaper
• Waxing iron
• Base cleaner
• Grip wax
• Waxing cork
• Plastic scraper

Instructions

1. Choose a wax. Hard waxes are the most popular, according to REI.com. They work best when temperatures are cold (minus-25 degrees Fahrenheit to 35 degrees Fahrenheit) and are color-coded to show their optimal range. Klister waxes are for warmer conditions and snow that has melted and refrozen. Spray waxes are for quick on-site fixes.

2. Mark the front and back of your kick zone with masking tape. This is the middle third of your ski. Clean it with a scraper, and rub it with a small amount of base cleaner and a cloth. Rub the area in both directions with fine sandpaper and cork. Make sure the surface is completely clean and dry before waxing.

3. Wax at room temperature and let your skis warm up if you are coming in from the cold. For hard wax, hold or prop the ski up at a 30-degree angle. Rub on the wax using short back and forth strokes. Then rub cork over the area. Reapply the wax. Buff smooth after each application.

4. For Klister wax, rub the kick zone with sandpaper cork. Apply green Klister in diagonal strips on either side of the groove. Warm and smooth it onto the ski with a waxing iron set at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it cool and cork the area. Apply a universal or temperature-specific Klister with a plastic scraper or a cork in the same pattern.

5. For spray wax, use one even stroke to apply wax from front to back of kick zone. Do not cork.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using a universal wax for optimal performance over a range of temperatures.

• Bring wax and cork with you on your first run after waxing. If you're slipping, scrape wax off with a plastic scraper and apply a softer wax. If snow is building up on your skis, scrape off the soft wax and apply a harder wax.

References

• REI.com: Grip waxing your cross-country skis
• Skipost.com: Getting started