Swix Ski Waxing Techniques

cross country skier image by eichnersmith from Fotolia.com

Waxing cross country skis is important to getting the proper performance out of them. Waxable skis outperform waxless skis, as long as you prepare them properly. Even waxless skis benefit from applying glide wax to the glide zone of the ski. Waxing cross country skis with Swix wax is a multi-step process, but can be done fairly quickly with the right tools and a little practice.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Plastic scraper
Wax remover
Fibertex pad
Kick wax
Glide wax
Synthetic cork

Step 1

Remove old wax so that the ski base surface is smooth. First, use the plastic scraper to remove old wax. Next, spray the base with wax remover, let it sit a few minutes, then use a fibertex pad to remove any remaining wax.

Step 2

Locate the kick zone of the ski base, usually from a line of the heel of the foot to the 65cm to 75cm forward. The kick zone provides grip for uphill travel.

Step 3

Use the wax wizard (see Resources) to figure out which kick wax to apply to the kick zone of the ski.

Step 4

Apply a thin layer of kick wax to the kick zone, then use the cork to smooth it out. Apply a total of five layers of kick wax to the kick zone for optimal grip.

Step 5

Apply the glide wax to the glide zone (the tip of the ski to the start of the kick zone and the tail to the end of the kick zone under the heel). Polish the wax with the cork.

Tips & Warnings

Waxless skis should still have glide wax applied to the glide zone to optimize performance.

Never apply kick wax to the kick zone of waxless skis. These skis have a fishtail pattern cut into the ski that substitutes for kick wax.

Resources

Swix: Wax wizard

Article Written By Candace Horgan

Candace Horgan has worked as a freelance journalist for more than 12 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including the "Denver Post" and "Mix." Horgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history.

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