Skiing with freshly waxed skis is a pleasure for every snow enthusiast. Your skis glide smoothly across the snow and feel almost like new, propelling your performance to a new level. Regularly waxing your skis also has another benefit: It’s an important part of your ski maintenance and extends the product life of your skis.
In this article, our INTERSPORT Rent experts share their best tips on when, how often and how to wax your skis. Let’s get started!
How often do skis need to be waxed
Waxing your skis has several benefits. It prevents the base and edges from feeling dry and keeps your skis smooth down to the pores. After all, if your skis are no longer able to repel water, they stick to the snow and can’tglide freely.
How often your skis need to be waxed depends on how often you use them. At a minimum, you should wax them once at the start of every season. However, if you’re a frequent skier it also makes sense to wax them once more during the season.
It’s time to wax your skis when …
- temperatures and snow conditions change, for instance from wet snow to powder.
- there is fresh snowfall.
- the base starts to feel rough and look greyish.
- you’re about to store them away for summer to prevent rusting.
- you have skied over rocks and stones, for instance during freeriding.
Can I wax my skis myself?
Yes, you can – provided that you have the necessary equipment and the proper technique. If you’re careful and have the right tools, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try waxing your skis yourself.
Your skis have deep scratches and need a full service including rust removal? Then it’s better to leave it to the experts – for instance, our RENTertainer ski experts at INTERSPORT Rent.
Checklist
One option is to get a complete ski maintenance kit. The advantage: You know that all materials contained in the kit are actually suitable for skis. Alternatively, you can use the following checklist to compile your own waxing kit:
- somewhere to properly secure your skis
- universal wax
- a ski waxing iron (alternatively, an old iron)
- a nylon or copper brush
- a plastic ski scraper
- a soft cloth
Our tip: In addition to universal wax, you can also use other types of wax to service your skis. For instance, hot wax with low fluorine content is a great choice for all-mountain skiers wanting to wax their skis themselves.
8 steps to DIY ski waxing
- Secure your skis in place.
- Thoroughly clean and dry the base with the brush and cloth.
- Heat the wax with the iron …
- … apply it to the ski and evenly spread it with the iron.
- Wait for the wax to cool off and dry (at least 30 minutes).
- Remove any residual wax with the ski scraper.
- Brush the ski.
- Remove dust with a soft cloth.
Please note: Be careful if you use a common household iron! Depending on the type of wax you use, you need a constant temperature of about 140 degrees Celsius. Too much heat will damage your skis! That’s why it’s a good idea to use the wool/silk setting of your iron.
Do I need to wax new skis as well?
New skis usually come waxed. However, if you want to ensure maximum performance, you can give them an extra waxing. When it comes to ski servicing, there’s no such thing as “too often”. If you buy second-hand skis, it’s a good idea to wax them, as the previous owner might not have done it.
INTERSPORT Rent tip
Waxing your skis in the evening and hitting the slopes in the morning? Sounds like a plan! However, keep in mind that hair, fibres and dirt might stick to the freshly applied wax during transport. This can have negative effects on your skiing experience.
Our recommendation: Treat your skis to an on-site servicing – at one of the many INTERSPORT Rent shops right by the slopes. Your advantage: Our experienced RENTertainers can adjust the service to the current snow conditions – the perfect start to an unforgettable day on the slopes!
