How to Use Hard Wax for Skates and Skis

Skate skis enable you to traverse a snow-covered terrain with ease. Compared to more conventional models of the snow ski, the skate ski features a slender design. Ski waxes are manufactured in a variety of formulas to accommodate the needs of avid riders. Ski waxes that feature a hard construction remain ideal for frigid conditions. Whether you are waxing the bottom of your skate skis or the bottom of your alpine skis, you can utilize the same technique.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubber band
  • Ski vise
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton cloth
  • Waxing iron
  • Plastic scraper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Push down the brake pedals of the ski bindings. Align a rubber band around one of the brake arms. Stretch the band over the binding and around the opposing arm to lift the pedals out of the way.

    • 2

      Place your skate or alpine skis between the jaws of a vise. Rotate the handle of the vise clockwise to secure your skis. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton cloth.

    • 3

      Rub the cotton cloth across the bottom of your skis to remove any old wax or debris. Allow the skis to dry for around 5 minutes. Heat up your waxing iron.

    • 4

      Hold the waxing iron above your skis. Push the hard ski wax against the base of the heated iron. Allow the wax to drip onto the bottom of your skis.

    • 5

      Rub the waxing iron across the bottom of your skis. Decrease the temperature of the iron if the wax begins to smoke. Allow the wax to dry on the skis for 1 hour.

    • 6

      Lower a plastic scraper onto the nose of the skis. Apply downward pressure over the top of the scraper and drag it down the length of the skis to remove any excess wax.