How to Condition Hickory Wood Cross Country Skis

Hickory wood cross-country skis should be properly cleaned and tarred before hitting the slopes each winter. Ski Wax recommends tarring your wooden skis every spring, which helps seal the wood and protects the skis during summer and fall. During ski season, you should regularly check the bottoms of your hickory skis to ensure there is enough tar on the base to protect the wood from snow. Hickory skis can be used for a lifetime if they are conditioned properly before each season.

Things You'll Need

  • 100-percent pine tree tar
  • Clean cloths
  • Hair dryer
  • 100- or 120-grit sandpaper
  • Sharp metal scraper
  • Wax remover
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dry the skis with a clean cloth before beginning the conditioning process. Tarring damp skis will seal water into the wood, leading to damage.

    • 2

      Clean the base of the skis to remove dirt and wax with a sharp metal scraper. If there is a thick layer of wax, clean the bottom of the skis with a soft cloth and wax remover.

    • 3

      Sand the bottoms of the skis with 100- or 120-grit sandpaper to smooth out any damaged areas.

    • 4

      Apply a thin layer of 100-percent pine tree tar to the entire base of each ski, even parts of the ski that may not come in contact with snow.

    • 5

      Heat the tar by setting a hair dryer to the hottest temperature and drying each ski. Move the hair dryer over the entire base of each ski. The tar will bubble slightly as it is absorbed into each ski.

    • 6

      Leave the skis at room temperature for five to six hours.

    • 7

      Wipe any extra tar from the base of each ski with a clean cloth. There should be some extra tar on each ski. If any spots on the ski are totally dry, apply more tar to those spots and repeat the drying process with the hair dryer.