What to wax your skis with?

Properly caring for your cross-country and downhill skis will ensure their functionality. You'll immediately feel the difference on the slopes, as your skis will glide better and you'll also gain better grip. Learn how to wax your skis and how to do it correctly.

Why is it important to regularly wax your cross-country skis?

Waxed skis reduce friction between the skis and the snow, allowing you to move even more smoothly and quickly down the slope. Properly selected waxes also increase ski grip, which is crucial on the slopes and even when weather conditions change rapidly.

Proper ski waxing is crucial to the quality and longevity of your winter equipment. Why? It's a way to preserve your skis and effectively protect their surfaces from wear. So, make sure to wax them regularly to extend the life of your favorite skis.

What to wax your skis with?

Waxing your skis is an important process, and the choice of wax affects your riding comfort and even your safety. Above all, you should match your ski wax to the slope conditions, air temperature, and riding style.

The two most popular types of lubricants are slippery and rebound. Learn what makes them stand out.

Lubricants

Glide waxes are designed for the bottoms of skis, and their primary purpose is to reduce friction between the skis and the snow. This allows for smooth, fast movement down the slope. There are several different types of glide waxes, including:

universal – suitable for a wide range of temperatures and changing weather conditions;
winter – depending on the temperature, you can choose blue grease (good for temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius) or red grease (works well if the temperature ranges from -4 to -14 degrees Celsius);
spring and autumn - this is an orange wax that works well on slippery surfaces and wet snow.

Reflective greases

This wax is suitable for riding on steep and winding slopes. What makes kick wax unique is its application location – it should be applied to the edges of the skis. This will give you greater control when turning and ensure proper grip. This means you won't fall off the slope or lose your balance even when cornering at higher speeds.

How to wax skis – yourself or professionally?

It's not only important what to wax your skis with, but also how to do it. You can wax your skis yourself or enlist the help of a professional service.

If you know how to wax cross-country skis, you can do it yourself. This will save you money and allow you to decide which waxes to use. Remember, however, that you'll need the right equipment. You can also manage without professional equipment, for example, you can use a clothes iron to apply the wax. Ideally, it should be an old device with adjustable temperature, which will easily match the melting point of your chosen wax.

What if you don't know how to apply, distribute, or choose ski wax? Then it's worth considering the services of a professional service. It's a convenient, albeit somewhat expensive, option. However, once you're on the slopes, you'll certainly feel the difference while skiing.

The best methods for waxing skis

Are you determined to service your downhill or cross-country skis yourself? Learn how to wax your skis step by step.

Remove wax residue – Start preparing your skis by thoroughly cleaning the bottom of the skis of any dirt and old wax. Use a special tool or brush.
Prepare the grease and iron – set the iron temperature to melt the grease. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations when setting the temperature.
Apply wax – Apply a small amount of wax to the bottom of your skis every 5-10 cm. You can also apply wax directly to the iron.
Spread the wax – Using an iron, spread the wax over the entire base surface. Be careful not to hold the iron in one spot for too long to avoid overheating and damaging the skis.
Polish your skis – After applying wax, use a special ski polishing brush. Run the brush along the bottom of the skis to remove excess wax and add shine. You can also do this with a scraper.
Wait and check the wax's effect – it's best to leave the skis on for a few hours to dry thoroughly. Then, check if they're ready to ski. Simply touch the bottom of the skis to see if they're smooth and non-sticky.

What are the melting points of grease?

The melting point of the wax is crucial for proper application, which affects the ski's glide. It's important to know that the exact temperature depends on the chemical composition and intended use of the ski. We've prepared a quick cheat sheet to help you understand what temperature your iron should be set to before applying the wax.

Universal wax – melting point is approximately 60-70 degrees Celsius.
Winter wax – melting point is approximately 40-60 degrees Celsius.
Spring and autumn wax – melting point above 70 degrees C.

How to remove old wax from skis?

There are several ways to remove old ski wax. How can you do this? Use one of the following methods:

a special grease remover – usually in the form of a liquid or aerosol;
hot soapy water – you can try to soften the grease with a sponge soaked in hot water;
special devices for removing wax – you can use a wax scraper or a plastic knife, but be careful not to damage the surface of the skis.

Are there any skis that don't need waxing?

Does waxing your skis seem too time-consuming and expensive? Then you can choose skis that don't require waxing at all, thanks to their special P-Tex coating. It works similarly to wax, ensuring good grip and minimizing friction.

You can also buy cross-country skis that don't need to be waxed because they have a structured bottom.