Ski equipment can be costly and regular maintenance will help you get the most value for your money. With proper care your skis will last longer, give you better performance on the slopes and look better.
You can do the maintenance work yourself or you can take your skis to the pro shop and get them tuned and waxed by a professional. Doing it yourself is not complicated and for the cost of one professional tuning you can buy most of the tools you will need.
Stone grinding the bases is the only thing that can’t be done without the proper machinery. It’s best to do this in a ski shop with a stone grinder once or twice a season. Over time the base of the ski can become nicked and the edges can become burred. This affects your ski performance and shortens the skis’ lifespan by exposing them to excess moisture.
To keep your skis in top condition you need to do basic procedures every 5 to 10 ski days – wax the skis, sharpen their edges and examine the bindings to make sure they are adjusted properly.
Waxing
As skis glide over snow the friction melts the snow and causes a thin layer of water to form on the skis surface. If the skis are unwaxed, water can seep into the base and cause damage. Besides protecting your skis wax also improves performance and makes turns easier by causing the water to form into droplets.
Ski wax is made to suit specific temperature conditions. There are two ways to apply wax ñ melting and rubbing. Wax rubbed on the base cold will wear off quickly therefore hot wax provides much more durable protection. To apply hot wax you can use either a special waxing iron or an old clothes iron.
Here is how to apply wax properly:
- begin by dripping the hot wax along the base of each ski;
- smooth it out by using the iron and set the ski aside to cool;
- once the wax has hardened, polish it with a rubbing pad.
Edges
The steel edges along the sides of the skis aid in turning and stopping. If the skis are banged together or if you hit stones, the edges can become nicked and gouged. To determine whether you need to sharpen the edges try running your finger along one of them — if there are any nicks or burrs the edges need to be sharpened.
Sharpening the edges requires a bit more skill than waxing – it’s important not to remove too much metal. Use an edging stone with a light motion to remove any burrs. Keep the stone at the same angle for the length of the ski.
Storage
To protect your skis from moisture and prevent rust from forming on the edges make sure to wax the skis before storing them for the summer. The ski bases will get a more durable finish because they will absorb the wax while the skis are being stored.
Loosen the release mechanisms on the bindings to prevent the springs from losing their tension. Make sure to set them back again before hitting the slopes next winter.
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