Ski Maintenance and Wax Recommendation
When waxing skis it is best to follow the KISS of Ski Preparation which is Keep It Simple for Success. This guide is to provide recommendations that have been proven to work with the conditions that most Nakkertok athletes have to deal with. It will help keep ski preparation simple, at a low cost, and accessible. It is vital that all skiers know how to prepare their skis with a minimum of cost and equipment.
All products mentioned are non-fluoridated as per club policy. The move away from fluoridated products is what is best for the environment and the health of the skiers/ski techs.
Ulla purchase opportunity.
Ulla Sport is a Canadian company that manufactures cold and liquid applied gilde waxes. (This is in contrast to hot waxes applied with an iron). There are several manufacturers of waxes and related products that work well - Ulla is just one of them - but their system provides a good degree of independence to younger athletes as it does not involve a hot iron.
We make a group purchase yearly with Ulla around the November time frame.
Ski Grinding opportunity.
Stone grinding flattens the ski base, removes burnt, and damaged base material and creates an important structure pattern. Bottom line, grinding makes your skis faster and easier to wax when done well. Factors you need to consider when stone grinding your skis are grind quality and how to choose structure patterns to optimize your skis’ performance.
We organize a group drop-off for ski grinding with Gatineau Nordique Sport around the November time frame.
Cleaning Skis
The maintenance of your ski base is an important task to ensure that you get the most of your skis. Cleaning your ski glide zone and kick zone regularly will provide a better ski experience.
Cleaning Tips
Use a ski scraper or a steel paint scraper to remove most of the grip wax first.
Use Wax Remover to get the last bits off of the base and sometimes the sides and top of the ski.
Let the wax remover evaporate before putting the fresh grip wax on.
You can get a couple skis from your glide/kick wax if the conditions have not changed.
If your ski has picked up dirt and debris in the kick zone it is time to clean off the old wax and reapply.
Keep your sidewalls clean and not sticky.
Glide Wax Removal
Grip Wax Removal
Klister Removal
Waxing Skis
Waxing cross-country skis is not nearly as mysterious and complicated as many people make it out to be. Taking the time to learn the basics will provide you a much better experience.
Waxing Tips
Waxing is important but proper ski selection, a good ski base and YOU are significant contributors to fast skis.
Always a have clean ski when waxing.
Apply multiple thin layers of wax, never apply thick layers. It is easier to add a layer then thin/remove excess.
Always work from tip of the ski to tail.
Cold wax on warm snow is okay, warm wax on cold snow is a disaster.
A wax bench to secure the ski while you work is helpful.
Have a separate synthetic cork for klister and hard wax.
Freeze your klister over the summer so it won't leak all over the place.
Ulla Rub-On Wax Application
Grip Wax Application
Klister Application
Liquid Glide Wax Application
Liquid Klister Application
Brush Demo
Hot Glide Wax Application
Wax and Tool Recommendations
Glide Wax
Ulla rub-on wax: Easy to use wax that works well. You can purchase a kit though the club every fall. The kit includes everything to use the Ulla line.
Liquid wax: No ironing or scraping. Glide wax is applied in liquid form, allowed to dry and brushed. All major lines have a line of liquid waxes.
Hot Wax: Can be used but with rub-on and liquid wax it is not needed anymore. All major lines have a line of hot waxes.
Grip Wax
Base Binder: Base Binder kick waxes are used as an under-layer for the grip wax of the day to improve durability.
Kick Wax: For most winter days covering a wide range of tempatures and types of snow.
Klister: On days when the snow is very wet, icy or coarse this is where klister shines. Having patience with klister will help you apply it correctly.
Liquid Grip Wax: Liquid application of Kick and klister wax.
Tools
Hand Nylon Brush: Used to brush hot wax and liquid wax.
Synthetic Corks: One for hard wax and one one soft wax/klister.
Metal Scraper: Used to scrap grip wax/klister.
Plastic Scraper: Used to scrape grip wax.
Shop Towels: For general cleaning of ski and tools.
Fiberline Paper: For wiping clean grip/klister after wax remover.
Wax Remover Solution: Designed specifically for grip wax removal.
Base Cleaner Solution: For cleaning glide zones.
Sand paper: 120 grit to roughen kick zone.
Tape: Mark your kick and glide zone on classic skis.
Well-Ventilated Work Space: A space that is well ventilated is important for your health.
Mask or Respirator: An N95 mask or Filtered mask especially with heat or brushes.
Gloves: Helps with keeping klister, grip wax and other harmful chemicals like wax remover.
Useful Links
Swix School - Instructional videos on how to perform ski wax from Swix Wax.
Wax Manufacter Manuals - Catalogs and Manuals from wax manufacturers.
Snow Types - List of snow types from skiwax.ca and products available.
Ski Preparation Guide from Nakkertok - Production recommendations
Classic Wax Pocket Length - Overview of classic ski wax pocket and layering
BNS Wax Preview 2022/2023 - Great overview of common waxes.