Glide Wax for Ski Conditions

Glide waxing skis allows for optimum performance by customizing the ski for the snow conditions. Choosing the correct wax lets the ski glide faster over the snow by funneling water heated by the ski away from the base. Waxing also helps protect the base of the ski from dings and ensures that the base does not become too dry. Alpine skis, snowboards and skate skis use glide wax on the entire base, and classic cross-country skis use wax on the tips and tails.

  1. Materials

    • The two most important tools for waxing skis are the wax and the iron. Wax can be purchased at a local ski store or ordered online. Buy an iron that is specifically meant for waxing skis, rather than using a house iron, so you can adjust the temperature to avoid melting the base of your ski. You will also need a thick, plastic scraper with a 90-degree edge to scrape your skis after waxing. Other optional materials include vices to hold the ski in place, a base cleaning solution, a metal file to sharpen the scraper and brushes to add a final finishing coat.

    Choosing Wax

    • Wax ranges from highly expensive racing wax to inexpensive powder wax. Decide what type of skiing you will be doing prior to purchasing wax. Use temperature-specific waxes for racing to maximize speed. For a less complicated system, use the two-wax system, which has one wax for temperatures above freezing and one for below freezing. Recreational skiers can use a universal wax that works in all temperatures.

    Waxing for Conditions

    • Waxing for specific ski conditions requires estimating the conditions for the next day. Check the forecast for the place you will be skiing to find the average temperature, and pick your wax accordingly. Additionally, altitude, snow type, humidity, sunlight and wind will affect the ski conditions, making the snow warmer or colder. For the most accurate results, wax your skis the night before use.

    How to Wax

    • Clean the base of your ski using a base cleaning product. You can also heat some wax on the ski and scrape it off while it's still hot to clean the base. Wipe the base thoroughly after cleaning and touch the ski to feel if it is dry. Touch the block of wax to the iron and drip wax down the entire length of the ski. Using the iron, rub the wax into the ski until a smooth, even coat appears along the whole base. Be sure to keep moving the iron to avoid melting the base. Let the ski cool and then use the plastic scraper to scrape off any excess wax. Brush the ski with a wire or horsehair brush to add final texture.

    Special Considerations for Cold Conditions

    • Cold wax is the most difficult to apply to skis. The cold wax does not adhere to the ski base easily, which can cause the wax to chip off and be ineffective. When using cold wax, you must set the iron to a higher temperature. Since the iron is hotter, it is best to melt the wax more than once to avoid melting the base and ensure that the cold wax thoroughly adheres to the base. After letting the ski cool, visually inspect the base. If there are cracks in the wax or if it has an opaque color, it means that the wax did not thoroughly adhere to the ski. Heat the wax again to re-melt it into the ski.