Why You Should Wax and Tune Your Skis or Snowboard

Keep Your Bases Fresh for Speed and Control

Snow and liquid water are one in the same, and they behave as such. Snow on the ground is subject to gravity, slowly oozing downhill at a glacial pace or more dramatically when an avalanche careens downhill with the force of a waterfall. Just like the flow of a river is altered by geologic features, seasons, and temperatures—the properties of snow change throughout the winter and spring seasons and can even shift dramatically over the course of a day. 

Not all snow that falls on the ground is a flake. Some of it comes in the form of liquid water. Utah is known for the Greatest Snow on Earth because the state is located in a high altitude desert, a dry and cold climate that results in a lower percentage of liquid water in falling snow, just 8% on average. This results in a very fluffy and dry snow, a.k.a. really great powder. As skiers and riders pack it down, the snow surface stays soft, perfect for carving and riding the park. As the days warm up in the spring, the snow pack is forced through a freeze-thaw cycle almost daily, changing the structure and water content of the snow. For you and me who love to slide on snow, variances in the structure and temperature of snow make for different skiing and riding experiences, for better or worse.

Ski Bases & Water Repellency

Now that we have a taste of the science of snow, how do we make the best of the (sometimes quickly) changing conditions? A ski and snowboard is made of various layers of wood, fiberglass, titanal (a type of aluminum alloy), carbon fiber, etc. that dictate how it will perform. Every manufacturer has a unique construction profile—that's why it's so important to test or demo a pair of skis or a snowboard before you buy! But, they all use a base material called P-Tex. This is a durable, waxy plastic that is naturally hydrophobic, or water-repellent.

There are a couple of ways to manufacture P-Tex, extruded or sintered, but they accomplish the same thing—to be the contact layer on the snow. As the base slides across the snow, the friction creates heat and melts a thin layer of water. The water creates suction on the base, and at different temperatures it can create more or less suction, potentially slowing you down. This effect is most felt during the spring when the temperature of the snow changes throughout the day. Even going from a shady spot to full sun on the same run will affect how fast your skis slide, creating a lurching effect as your skis or snowboard speed up and slow down.

Ski Tuning & Waxing

The best thing you can do for a pair of skis or snowboard is to keep them waxed. Wax comes in different forms, hot and rub-on are the two most common, and is temperature-specific to maximize water repellency. Regular waxing also provides protection from dirt and grime in the snow, which comes to the surface in the warmer spring ski months of March and April. You can see when your skis or snowboard need a wax when you see a white discoloration near the edges of the base. That means the base is "dry" and needs wax for optimal performance.

A good ski tune also is important for maintaining performance on the snow and repairing base damage. Using hand methods and ski tuning machines, a ski tuner can apply a structure to your ski bases that improves water repellency and glide. The most common ski tune base structures, designed to reduce suction by moving water away from the base, are linear, diagonal, and chevron patterns. These range from fine structures for cold, dry snow to coarse, deep patterns for warm, wet spring conditions. Modern stone and belt grind tuning machines produce these precise, durable, and temperature-specific patterns. A structured base, good wax, and even-bevel edges make a noticeable improvement in edge grip and speed on the snow, no matter your skiing or riding ability. 

Take it to the Pros

A good ski and snowboard shop can provide both of these services and more, usually overnight or within the hour if it's just a wax. Applying a base structure is a complicated process and requires a specific machine to do it. Park City has a number of professional ski and snowboard shops that provide excellent tuning for a variety of conditions. Their knowledgeable staff will ask where you like to ski and what time of day and factor in current conditions for the best tune and wax. So, don't hesitate—if you think your skis or snowboard are in need of a little TLC, take them in for a wax, tune, or both and get the best possible performance on the hill!

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