The answer ranges from person to person. If you’re skiing every day and have the time to wax after every run, by all means, do it. You can never wax your skis too much. However, the waxing process can take a bit of time, so not everyone will be able to do it every couple of days between runs.
My name is Christine, I’ve more than a decade’s experience skiing and have my own fair knowledge about ski maintenance. In order to get your skis to work their best, you need to remember to wax them even if you are using new skis.
However, how often should they be waxed? Once a month? A week? This article will cover that question and go over several other tips that will help you keep your skis in good shape.
What Does Waxing Skis Do?
Before we look at how often you need to wax your skis, we first need to make sure everyone is on the same page about what the process does. Waxing your skis serves a few purposes.
First, it will provide a smoother and much faster experience out on the slopes. Waxing skis makes them hydrophobic, and that means they will turn, slide, and glide more easily on the snow.
Waxing your skis will also keep them in better shape over the years. The process ensures the base doesn’t dry out, which can contribute to issues like delamination.
There are many different kinds of ski waxes, so do your research and decide what works best for your needs.
The waxing process is quite simple and can usually be done at home if you have the right equipment. You will also need things like an iron and a scraper in order to ensure the waxing process goes as smoothly as possible.
How Often Should You Wax Skis?
The answer to this section’s question ranges from person to person. If you’re skiing every day and have the time to wax after every run, by all means, do it. You can never wax your skis too much.
However, the waxing process can take a bit of time, so not everyone will be able to do it every couple of days between runs.
For more casual skiers who may not have the luxury of always being able to wax, there are a couple of signs to look out for that can alert you when it’s time.
If you feel the snow getting sticky, or there’s a chalky residue on your ski base, it’s often time for some wax. Also, if you ski in powder a lot, or find yourself in a region different than where you normally go, it’s often a good idea to apply some wax.
As you can see, there’s no exact right time frame when it comes to waxing. The more often, the better. However, as long as you make sure to do it every now and then, you’re probably good.
Other Ski Tuning Tips
While waxing skis is important, it’s far from the only thing you should do to keep your gear in tip-top shape. For example, you might need to repair your base every now and then.
When skiing on terrain, it isn’t uncommon to hit a rock and damage your base. That can lead to small divots or gashes and hurt your ski’s effectiveness.
If that happens to you, use a p-tex candle to fill in the gaps and create a more uniform base. Another thing you should look to do every now and then is work on your edges.
Various things like rust and burrs can begin to form there, which can slow you down and reduce your ski control. Your ski edge should always be sharp.
Final Thoughts
Skiing is a pastime enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. It’s hard to describe the excitement of skiing down a double black diamond, or the rush you get as you take the lift up a new mountain for the first time. However, it isn’t always a cheap hobby.
From gear to lift passes, the costs can add up quickly. One of the best ways to keep the hobby affordable is to treat your gear well. The better you take care of your equipment, the longer it will last. That’s especially true for your skis, which are arguably the most important piece of gear you own.
Waxing skis and tuning your gear is one of the best ways to stay safe, prolong the life of your gear, and save money all at the same time. By waxing your skis, you ensure they will work to the best of their ability and give you full control over your movement on the hill.
How often do you wax your skis? Do you do anything to keep them in great shape that I didn’t mention? If so, let me know in the comment below.
