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How to Make Skis Faster

How to Make Skis Faster

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No skier wants to buy a costly lift ticket only to discover that he is stuck on a slow set of skis. The key to fast skis is proper waxing, which needs to occur before you leave home for the slopes. By creating a smooth surface to reduce friction, wax enables skiers to go faster and make more controlled turns. Wax also lengthens your skis' lifespan.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Base cleaner Ski wax Vice Iron Plastic scraper Course brush Fine brush Polishing cloth
  • Base cleaner
  • Ski wax
  • Vice
  • Iron
  • Plastic scraper
  • Course brush
  • Fine brush
  • Polishing cloth
Step 1
Ski wax comes in various colors for different conditions.
Ski wax comes in various colors for different conditions.
Buy ski wax made for the conditions that you usually ski in. Ski wax comes in colored bars. Each color corresponds to different temperatures and snow conditions. For example, red Swix ski wax is ideal for wet snow conditions when the temperature is between 30 and 38 degrees. Blue Swix wax would be a better choice for temperatures between 12 and 30 degrees.
Step 2
Ski base cleaner
Ski base cleaner
Place ski securely in a vice with base facing up. Thoroughly clean the ski's glide area with a rag or paper towels and ski base cleaner, which is available at ski shops and sporting goods stores, or a citrus solvent. Let dry.
Step 3
Hold ski wax against an iron until it starts to melt. Make a trail of wax drops along the base of the ski. Working from the tip to the tail, iron lightly on a low heat setting until wax covers the entire width of the ski.
Step 4
Wait for ski to cool and then use a plastic scraper to remove excess wax.
Step 5
Brush the base with a course brush. Repeat with a fine brush, then polish with a cloth.

Tips & Warnings

 
Frequently waxed skis are fast skis. A general rule is to apply wax after every 10 days of use. Using a file to sharpen the edges of your skis will increase the precision of your turns, which can lead to even more speed.
 
Frequently waxed skis are fast skis. A general rule is to apply wax after every 10 days of use.
 
Using a file to sharpen the edges of your skis will increase the precision of your turns, which can lead to even more speed.
 
Do not wax cold skis. For best results, wait until the skis are at room temperature.

Article Written By Kirk Brown

Kirk Brown is an award-winning freelance writer with two decades of diverse media experience. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he also was managing editor of an acclaimed scuba diving magazine. Brown has written scripts for more than 50 half-hour TV programs focusing on technology and health topics.

Write for Trails.com

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