Maintain Cross Country Skis

Maintaining cross country skis during the off-season is important, yet often overlooked. If you want your skis to be in tip top shape next winter, you need to spend some time with your skis after the snow has melted to prepare and maintain them for next season.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Clean your skis after the last use of the season. Use a damp cloth and, if needed, wax remover on a cloth to get rid of klister and kick- wax from the kick zone, sides and tops of the skis.

Step 2

Iron a soft wax or basewax onto the glide zone of the skis. Keep the iron on low heat and use a generous amount of wax to form a protective layer all over the base of the ski, including the tip. While the wax is still soft, scrape the liquid off your ski along with any dirt and grime that has risen to the top.

Step 3

Scrape the base of the ski again after it has cooled down a bit. As the ski cools, the pores push out more wax and dirt. Just scrape off this gently and brush it lightly with a nylon brush.

Step 4

Examine the skis for any repairs that must be made. You should have repairs done before the start of winter so that you'll be prepared to ski. You can find detailed instructions on how to repair holes or bad scratches online or consult with a ski store locally.

Step 5

Apply a glide wax to your skis. Choose one that will be around or cooler than the temperature that you expect to find at your first ski outing next winter. This way you're better prepared to hit the trails. If you aren't familiar with how to wax your skis talk to the staff at the store where you bought them or ask an experienced skier to show you how. A thick layer of wax can help protect your skis from dust and scratches over the summer.

Step 6

Store the skis in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight. Be careful the skis aren't stored strapped tightly together. Warm weather can affect the glue that holds the ski together and the wax. You're skis will be in better condition if you store them in the coolest area you can find.

Article Written By Elizabeth McGuire

Elizabeth McGuire is a freelance writer with a background in journalism and marketing. She has been writing about recreation and fitness for more than 10 years.

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