Temperature-Specific Waxes

• Cold ski wax is most suitable for snow temperatures of
  approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) and below. It is composed of a mix of paraffin and synthetic paraffins. You will notice that cold wax has a harder texture than all-weather wax. That’s because hardening agents have been added to the mixture. This makes the wax more durable and resistant to the abrasion that is sometimes the result of the sharper snow crystals you find in cold weather conditions.

• Midrange wax is most suitable for snow temperatures between 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) and 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius). This mid-temperature wax does a good job at neutralizing the effects of moderately dry and wet friction.

• For optimal skiing in snow temperatures of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius) and above, consider using one a warm weather specific waxes. It is a softer wax that is composed of a mix of paraffin and silicone. Additionally, hydrophobic additives make this type wax water-repellent. Warm temperature wax is best for neutralizing the effects of wet friction.

Race Wax

Sharpen Your Ski Edges

• Start the edge sharpening process by making sure that your skis are warm and dry. Then, soak some Swix Fiberlene in a product called Citric Wax Remover. Use this mixture to remove dust and dirt from your bases.

• The initial tuning of the side edges of your skis is done with a file. Begin by placing your ski in a vise. Keep the side edge turned up and the base turned away from you. You can keep your side edges sharp by honing them with a diamond stone on a daily basis.

• To tune the base edges of your skis, they must be placed on a flat plane. If you are new to ski tuning, you might want to darken your edges with a felt tip pen before filing. Be careful. Do not file into the base material of your skis. A nice, shiny edge indicates that you have finished filing your base edges. Now, take your diamond stone and polish up those edges!

Finding the Best Ski Tuning Tips

The dedicated skier is always looking for an edge. If you think of yourself as an avid skier, you can find great ski tuning tips all over the place. Here are a few resources that you may not have checked out yet. Take a look and maybe you will find some ski tuning tips you hadn't thought of yet.

• Mags – There are more skiing magazines being published today than I can possibly list here. From the large publications to the small ones, you can always find great ski tuning tips from the best professionals and the keenest amateurs.
• Online – In case you have spent all of your time on the slopes for the last decade or so, there is this great resource called the Internet. You can find ski tuning tips that maybe only one person on earth has ever thought of by checking out skiing message boards and websites.
• Manufacturers – This is the most overlooked resource for ski tuning tips. It is also the most obvious. Each ski manufacturer will have their own tips and advice for tuning their skis.

After all, they made them. Check with your manufacturer to see what they suggest for your particular model of ski.

All Temp Wax for Various Skiing Conditions

With so many variations of ski wax on the market, how do you know which type to use? Variations for temperatures, skiing terrain, and so many other factors make choosing a wax difficult for any weekender or beginner.

If you are not sure what the skiing conditions are going to be when you decide to hit the slopes, use an all temp wax on your skis and you will have a good ski no matter what the conditions. All temp wax is made from a different compound than other ski wax. The mixture of natural and synthetic materials in the wax allows skiers to use all temp wax for all different skiing conditions.

There are many manufacturers of all temp wax that provide great protections on the slopes. If you are not sure of the forecast for your next ski trip, bring some all temp wax with you if you want to be covered no matter what.

Skier's Choice

All Natural Ski Wax

Advances in chemical processing and compounds have made many ski wax manufacturers introduce new makes of ski wax that are not so ‘green'. For the environmentally conscious skier, you can fulfill your ski wax needs with all natural ski wax. Using all natural ski wax will give you a good waxing and a little peace of mind that you are doing your part for the environment. Many manufacturers are providing all natural ski wax as an option. There is one that has been around for a long time and produces ski wax, as well as surfing wax and wax for other sporting gear.

All natural Bee's Wax is a leader in environmentally friendly ski wax for the mass market. The benefits to bee's wax are a string hold on your skis and a completely biodegradable chemical makeup. If you want to try Bee's wax on your skis, check your local ski shop to see what they have to offer. There are other brands and types of all natural ski wax, so try a few to see which works best for you. Costs will vary for all natural ski wax, so keep an eye on your pocketbook as well as your skis.

Steel Files for Ski Edge Filing

For newcomers to ski edge filing, knowing the type of file to use is an important first step. Mill files are the traditional file of choice for edge filing. Steel mill files from six to eight inches are a relatively low cost and are best for side edge filing. If you are filing base edges, you should look to go a little larger, up to ten inches. You can go even longer still if you need to file fat skis or snowboards. Hand ski edge filing is something that takes a lot of practice to master.

For newcomers, try to get a routine worked out on an old ski. Steel files can do a lot of damage if not used correctly, so here is a great tip. Find a used or broken ski from a second hand store. Use this ski to hone your ski edge filing skills. Practice makes perfect, so don't threaten your skis without getting the right amount of practice at ski edge filing before trying it on your main set.

Do It Yourself with a Ski Tuning Kit

The regular skier will find that their skis need a tuning more often than most. If you fall into this category, you really have two options for your tuning; you can bring your skis to a professional, or you can try the job yourself by purchasing a ski tuning kit. Professionals are an easy choice, however, a good one will often be rather expensive for a tuning. Most of them will tell you the same thing anyways… if you are a serious skier, you should learn how to tune your own skis.

So there is the second option. Tuning your own skis can be very rewarding and save you dough at the same time. You can buy ski tuning kits from many ski retailers. The internet alone has tons of different places where ski tuning kits of all shapes and sizes can be bought for a low cost. Be sure that if you are purchasing a ski tuning kit, it comes with detailed instructions so that your little investment does not destroy your major investment in skis. Anyone can learn how to tune their skis with a ski tuning kit. Look for one that matches with your type of skis and tuning needs. Your manufacturer may even provide ski tuning kits that are specifically made for your brand and type. If they do not, there are many generic ski tuning kits that will work great. Give it a shot yourself.

Essential Ski Tuning Supplies

For the skier who prefers to do their own tuning, there are a few essential ski tuning supplies that you will want to have handy. Some are easier to think of than others, so here is a quick list that you can use for reference. Obviously, you will want some quality ski wax. This should go without saying. You will also want some varied grains of sandpaper. You may want to sand before you wax to get off old wax and chips that show up in the ski. Another important ski tuning supply is a flat file.

Get a heavy grade file since the file should be used for tough jobs that the sandpaper cannot tackle. Also, do not forget to have some clean, lint-free rags around. If you get any lint in your wax, your ski tuning will not go so well. There are many other ski tuning supplies that you can get based on what type of tuning you need. If you need serious help, check with a professional who can help you tune your skis. No matter how many ski tuning supplies you have, if the job is too much for you, you will want their help.

Kick - Ski Wax For Cross Country Skiers

Cross country skiing requires different types of gear and supplies. From skis to bindings, cross country skiing has its own industry. Ski wax is also something that cross country skiing has its mark on, and kick wax describes a variety of waxes that are specific to cross country. Kick wax comes in a couple of variations, ‘hard' or ‘klister'.

Klister ski wax is a semi-liquid wax that typically comes in what looks like a tube of toothpaste. This stuff is extra-sticky so be careful when using it to not let it get everywhere. It is difficult to apply and is not for the beginning skier. Hard ski wax is a lot easier to handle and apply. It is a more tar-like substance that comes in a can and is best used for fresh powder and below freezing temperatures. If this is your typical skiing condition, use hard ski wax for your cross country skis.

The main advantage of kick waxing is that it provides additional friction to skiers who need to propel themselves through rugged terrain. This is what makes it so great for cross country skiing where a skier will often need to accelerate when nature and the elements say they shouldn't. If you are a cross country skier, learn more about kick ski wax before you hit the trail.

Types of Ski Wax Brushes

Skiers who wax their own skis are always looking for more efficient ways to apply their ski wax and get the job done. A great way to help the process go quickly without losing effectiveness is by using a ski wax brush. A ski wax brush is a handheld, stiff-haired brush that can help you strip off old ski wax as well as applies a fresh layer. There are several types of ski wax brushes and here are a few to take a look at.

First, a nylon ski wax brush is a good option. These are typically the lowest-priced brushes for ski wax removal and application. The nylon hairs will ensure a long life from your brush through several re-waxings. Another popular model of ski wax brush is a horse-hair brush. Horse hair is a natural alternative to the nylon brush that has all of the sturdiness. Horse hair makes for bristles that are stiff and will hold up under extreme conditions. The costs of a horse hair ski wax brush will be slightly higher, but the quality won't let you down.

For more information on ski wax brushes, you can check out popular ski magazines and websites. You can find plenty of opinions on different types of wax brushes, but the best bet is to try them out for yourself. You will find the grip and bristle type that fits with your comfort and needs.

Because You Really Want to Ski, Right?

You Might Wish You Had

Ptex - Repair Your Skis With Ease

Avid skiers will often find that they do some damage to their equipment. Skis in particular are subject to massive amounts of abuse on each run down the slopes. If you find that you have chipped or cracked your skis, but not so bas as to warrant getting a whole new pair, Ptex repairs just this type of problem.

Here is a quick guide to Ptex repair for nicks in skis.

• Once you have found the spot that needs repair, get some Ptex repair solution and a stiff metal scraper. You will want to brace your ski with a vice to hold it firmly in place.
• Set the scraper near the area you will be using the Ptex repair solution on.
• Use a lighter or match to light the Ptex until it begins to melt. When it is lit, Ptex repair solution makes an unmistakable color of orange.
• Once the Ptex begins to drip, get a few drops into the area that needs repair.
• After a few drops have fallen into the area, set the lit Ptex repair solution aside and begin smoothing the surface with the metal scraper.
• Do this gently as to not do further damage to the ski.
• You are done when the Ptex remains in only the damaged area and not in the surrounding spots.
• Finish the job with a good coat of wax and your skis should be ready to ride.

Conditions that Affect Your Ski Wax

Many different weather and terrain conditions will affect your need to wax and re-wax your skis. Ski wax is a compound that is often made from a combination of synthetics and natural substances. Because of this delicate combination, you may find your ski wax needs will depend greatly on the conditions in which you ski. For skiers who are skiing in temperatures below freezing, ski wax will be affected by snow structure, snow temperature, the speed with which you ski, and the humidity of the air. Each of these factors in sub-freezing temperatures will influence your need for ski wax and regular waxing. In temperatures that are above freezing, ski wax is influenced by other factors.

Snow structure and skiing speed remain important factors, however, a new issue comes into play when temperatures are above freezing levels. The moisture of the snow will now play a large role in your ski wax needs. Because the temperatures are higher, the snow will be constantly melting. This will make for different levels of snow moisture. Not only will your quantity of ski wax be affected by this, but also the type of wax you use. Choose between a hard and soft wax carefully when dealing with moist conditions.