How to Wax Your Skis (follow this guide)

Ski Waxing Guide

Waxing your skis is not only required to keep your equipment in good shape; it is also a pleasant and, dare we say, enjoyable exercise. It's a nice way to pamper your skis. It's a win-win situation: they'll give you some great and exhilarating experiences, and you'll provide them with the moisture and protection they need to keep trucking. 

Some people believe that you should wax brand-new skis many times before hitting the slopes for the first time. You don't have to go crazy; you'll quickly discover that frequent waxing not only extends the life of your skis, but also improves their glide.

How to Wax Your Skis (follow this guide)

Why Do I Need to Wax My Skis?

Skis can dry out after repeated use or long periods of storage. Ski bases are porous because they are constructed of polyethylene, a lightweight, porous substance.

Waxing your skis works as a lubricant, making them hydrophobic (water-resistant). The faster your skis zip down the slopes, the more water-resistant they are.

Nothing beats getting ready to hit the slopes only to be met with ill-prepared skis that drag.

A good coat of wax improves ski handling and adds a layer of protection against nicks, scratches, and other abrasions. Overall, there's no reason not to wax them on a regular basis. Although some ski businesses offer waxing at a moderate cost, it's a fun way to get your hands dirty with your skis. It also promotes a sense of pride and ownership.

What Kind of Wax Should I Use?

Just look at the wax types to notice that there are many different sorts for different conditions, such as temperature-specific ski and snowboard waxes, fluorocarbon ski and snowboard waxes, and green ski and snowboard waxes. A excellent all-temperature snowboard and ski wax can't go wrong. Our Wend Ski Wax Combo Kit is an excellent choice. These waxes are effective in almost every situation.

Pick up a wax container and look at the graphics or recommendations on the side. Of course, if you only ski a few times a season, an all-temp wax may be your best bet. (You're not a magician; you can't possible know what conditions you'll face on your trek up the mountain.) When in doubt, it's a good idea to ask.

What Tools or Equipment Do I Need to Wax My Skis?

What now that you've acquired your wax and your skis?

First, make sure your skis are warm; waxing cold skis will not work. The wax must remain wet in order to penetrate the pores of the base. The longer you keep your skis wet, the more moisture they will absorb when it dries and hardens.

You'll need to move your brakes out of the way before you start waxing. This is accomplished by securing a rubber band to one of the brake arms, pulling it over the heelpiece, and catching it on the brake arm.

You'll also need a few different tools, including an iron (any iron, even a clothes iron, would work). Waxing irons do not have the steam holes as clothing irons do; the SVST Hipro Compact Wax Iron is a great option); a scraper, a vice (optional, but useful); and brushes.

How to Wax Your Skis

Place your skis in the vice and secure the toepiece of your binding. You don't want them to get away from you while this is going on. Remove the dried wax from the base using a dry towel or a scraper.

Remove last year's wax to create way for this season. Warm up your iron; 140° is a good starting point (but check out the side of your wax container for specific temps). Apply the wax to the entire base with the iron.

You can begin working on your other ski while it cures (approximately 30 minutes). After the wax has dried, use a scraper to move it from tip to tail.

Remove the extra wax while working your way toward you. Repeat all of these processes until your base is completely saturated. Next, apply your brush. Brush away all of the extra wax, working from tip to tail. Remember, the more time that passes, the better.

How Often Should I Wax My Skis?

The frequency with which you wax your skis is exactly proportional to the frequency with which you use them. They can't be waxed too much. A decent rule of thumb is that your ski wax will begin to wear down after two days of use. After five usage, you'll notice a noticeable slowdown. If you can't recall the last time you waxed your car, it should go without saying that you should do so as soon as possible.

Conclusion 

Did you have questions on how to wax your skis at home?, Have questions on how to wax alpine race skis? Whatever questions you may have about the process or what products are best to use, Blazinginfo is here to help you out. Contact us. We’re here to help you. We love skiing and snowboarding as much as our customers, and we’re happy to share our product experiences.