How Often Should I Service My Skis?

The more skiing you do, the more you'll need to service your skis. Regular tune-ups will need to be done at shorter intervals as your skiing intensity increases. You should also consider the conditions of the snow when tuning up your skis. Icy or hard snow will have a larger impact on your skis than soft snow. These conditions can lead to increased wear on the edges and base of your skis. Check for more in our ski guide and stay informed and safe.

Waxing Makes Skis Hydrophobic

Increasing the hydrophobic surface of skis can enhance glide and increase speed. This hydrophobic surface prevents water from absorbing into the skis, reducing friction between the ski and snow. Many types of waxing are available for skiing. There are hard waxes and soft waxes. The hard waxes are used when the skis are extremely cold and abrasive snow conditions exist, while the soft waxes are used in fresh snow.

A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) wax is a common choice. It melts at around 130degC and is applied to a sintered ski base. Enichem produced small batches of ski waxes with HDE that increased glide by two percent over non-PFC waxes. The commercial version of this wax, Cera F, was introduced by Swix in 1990. It costs $100 per 30 grams, but it provides better glide than non-HDPE waxes.

A base prep wax is essential for a good glide. The base prep wax is very soft and penetrates into the deepest crevices of the ski base. It then forms a solid foundation for subsequent layers of hard glide waxes. The base prep wax should be applied to a freshly structured base, but be sure to remove the old wax when you're done.

Base Grinds Extend Life of Skis

Base grinds are done to your skis when the edge has worn down. This is necessary because sharp edges can wear down and reduce the life of your skis. They also make your skis slide more easily on the rails. Over-sharpening or base grinding can make your skis even thinner, exposing them to more wear and tear. If the edges become too thin, rock damage can penetrate the base and cause a hole that makes repairs impossible.

Using a file is more efficient when you want to establish side bevel angles than grinding. Files can also remove too much steel or p-tex, so be careful when using them. This technique should be done by professionals. In addition to base grinding, you should also sharpen your ski edges every day to keep your skis in top shape.

Ski edges can be deburred by using a special deburring stone. This helps prevent nicks, rust, and raggedness from occurring. Deburring stones are usually grey in color and can be wiped down with water or an alcohol-water mixture to remove burrs.

Cost of Base Grind

A base grind is an important part of servicing your skis. It's the process of sharpening the edges of your skis so that they perform better in the snow. The process involves removing oxidation, nicks, and burrs from the edges of your skis. The result is a sharper edge that stays sharp longer.

Cost of Full Tune-up

A full tune-up for skis will include an edge sharpening, a fresh coat of wax, and a computerized binding test. It can also include a hot wax treatment. In addition, sharpened edges will provide more stability and control in all conditions. This will ensure that you can stop quickly and maneuver around obstacles.

A full tune-up for skis is usually not too expensive and will cover all the bases needed for optimal performance. The service will take about half an hour and will include basic waxing. While it isn't the most thorough, it's an excellent option for frequent skiers. Read more to learn how to know when your skis need tuning.

In addition, a full tune-up will repair small chips and scratches on the base of your skis. Some skiers prefer a heavy de-tune, while others prefer a buttery feel. Minor P-Tex repairs and Base Weld repairs can also be done to fix minor base damage.