Nordic Ski Wax Technique

The heel of the boot used with Nordic skis is not bound to the ski, as it is with Alpine skis. These are used for cross country skiing, Olympic ski jumping and telemark skiing. Like any type of ski, waxing is very important in maintaining the quality and life of equipment. Waxing allows for a smoother ride and better overall performance. Glide wax works best with Nordic skis.

  1. Why Glide Wax?

    • A thin film of water develops between the ski and the snow surface. Glide wax cuts down the friction between these surfaces. Too much friction causes skis to suction to the snow. This wax is the best at getting the correct balance between these two. Always remove the old wax before applying the new wax.

    Hot waxing

    • Hot waxing provides the best performance. Wax is first heated on a standard iron. Once partially liquified, it is glided onto the base of the ski and set to cool and solidify. After the wax has cooled to the touch, scrape off any excess wax and smooth out any uneven patches with a metal brush.

    Paste Waxing

    • Paste waxing is similar to hot waxing but a little more expensive to do. First, a paste-like wax is applied to the base of the ski. The paste usually is sold in a can or metal tube. Use a cork-like material to smooth out the wax paste and repeat until even. Then scrape off any excess wax with a metal brush, as in the hot waxing process.

    Liquid, Spray-on and Rub Waxing

    • These techniques are generally the cheapest and simplest ways to wax Nordic skis. All three use a liquefied wax and are applied onto the base of the ski. Liquid wax is applied with a paint brush. Spray-on waxes come in small spray bottles. Rub waxing uses a type of Brillo pad to apply wax. Many people believe that since these methods are cheaper and simpler, they are less effective. However, liquid and spray-on waxes tend to give even better coverage to skis than a hot waxing. Apply an iron to the base to insure maximum effectiveness and increase penetration of the wax.

    Hotbox Waxing

    • Hotbox waxing is similar to hot waxing. Wax is applied directly with an iron. The skis are then put into a hotbox--an insulated, heated box that lets the skis breath and allows the wax to penetrate more deeply. This results in an even higher-quality wax job and a much smoother glide than the is obtained with the other methods.