How to Choose Skate Skis: Warm or Cold Base?

Skate skiing combines the speed and motion of ice skating with the snow and backcountry of cross country skiing. Skate skis are narrow, long and have a base that does not require kick-wax. The base of a skate ski uses wax that coats the entire ski bottom, allowing the fast and swooshing motion. Cold and warm base waxes are used depending on weather, temperature, snow conditions and terrain. Choose the proper skate ski based on these criteria.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check temperature averages for the area where most of your skate skiing will be done. Collect weather information using online weather archives. Gather average snow falls for the winter in your area from the archives as well.

    • 2

      Chose a warm skate ski base if your average daily temperature is around 19 through 30 degrees fahrenheit.

    • 3

      Select a cold base for your skate ski if the average daily temperature hovers between 0 to 19 degrees fahrenheit.