Tips and Tricks for a Great Ski Wax & Tune

Simple steps with tips and tricks for getting the best performance out of your skis or snowboard:

* Ever hit a patch of snow and stick like glue? Like treads in a tire, structure (stone ground patterns) in your base enhance performance. Keep the base waxed and the structure open (unclogged) and water will be moved away efficiently and keep you flying; if not the suction effect of water will slow you down. A stone ground base should be waxed a couple of times before you take it on the snow.

* Brush off dirt with a brush and reserve this brush for dirt (metal, for example brass, preferred, a steel brush is agressive and should only be used by experienced tuners).

* Then do your edges (for an equipment list see the top links in the racewax store:

o Base Edge. The amount of base edge bevel will affect the ability of the ski/board to engage a turn on the snow. The more base edge bevel, the easier it will be to pivot or slide from side to side. With a new pair of skis the non-race skier may wish to start with a 0.5 degree bevel, and if your edges are locking in to a turn too soon, you can move up to 1 degree. To go back to a lower bevel angle you have to resurface the base. Once the base edge bevel is set, maintain it as long as possible using diamond and gumi stones.

o Side Edge. Side edge beveling will give the skis more grip on the snow surface.

Higher angles should be reserved for experienced racers; if the angle is too high the ski can 'rail out' on a less experienced racer. Typical angles are 1.0 to 3.0 degrees.
Less angle equals less grip. Keep in mind that an aggressive edge (high angle), may be more difficult for lighter racers (young kids or women) may make it more difficult to recover from being up on the edge.

o After you set your edge angles once, substitute a blue DMT or yellow Moonflex diamond stone for the file so you don't wear down your edges - the stone will sharpen without severe metal removal.

o A 1/1 base/side edge bevel is a typical starting point. A 1/2 would be better for hard pack or icy conditions.

...read the full guide with pics here