I understand why deep base structuring helps to reduce water suction with warm snow and that fine structuring helps to reduce the surface area to stop hard ice crystals 'grabbing' the base but why soft wax for warm snow?
I'm sure it's something obvious!
Why cold snow hard wax, warm snow soft wax?
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Started by Ellistine in Ski Tuning Course 01-May-2007 - 3 Replies
Ellistine posted May-2007
Edited 2 times. Last update at 01-May-2007
Pavelski
reply to 'Why cold snow hard wax, warm snow soft wax?' posted May-2007
You have pre-empted one of my 2008 classes. Lets see if I can "teach' this correctly. Tell me if you understand!
If you look at new fallen snow flakes in cold temperatures they are fine pointed beauties with razor sharp needles! There points dig into the wax and base and actually cause "resistance".
If the wax is soft, it allows this flakes to "dig in" and retard the ski. The glide becomes a series of jerks and release motions.
If ever you ski in very cold weather, eg -30 or -40 ( yes there are some fanatics who still like to freeze their noses ) and you have applied soft wax , you will feel the ski base "stick" to slope. I had to take out scrapper in middle of run and take off wax in -40 weather. My hands and fingers were hurting for three days.
As the flakes "melt" or transform the points become rounded, dull and the edges on snow flake become less pronounced.
That is why serious racers look at not only temperature but the "age" of the snow.
Hope this answers your question.
I will also in this class have pictures of various snow flakes, which will illustrate this point.
Now a question to you.
Why do they place "salt" in World Cup ski race courses!
Does not salt melt snow!
If you look at new fallen snow flakes in cold temperatures they are fine pointed beauties with razor sharp needles! There points dig into the wax and base and actually cause "resistance".
If the wax is soft, it allows this flakes to "dig in" and retard the ski. The glide becomes a series of jerks and release motions.
If ever you ski in very cold weather, eg -30 or -40 ( yes there are some fanatics who still like to freeze their noses ) and you have applied soft wax , you will feel the ski base "stick" to slope. I had to take out scrapper in middle of run and take off wax in -40 weather. My hands and fingers were hurting for three days.
As the flakes "melt" or transform the points become rounded, dull and the edges on snow flake become less pronounced.
That is why serious racers look at not only temperature but the "age" of the snow.
Hope this answers your question.
I will also in this class have pictures of various snow flakes, which will illustrate this point.
Now a question to you.
Why do they place "salt" in World Cup ski race courses!
Does not salt melt snow!
Ellistine
reply to 'Why cold snow hard wax, warm snow soft wax?' posted May-2007
OK but why soft wax for warm snow? Why not just always use hard wax?
Is soft wax 'faster' than hard and therefore more preferable if the conditions permit it?
I've seen them salt the coarse for races on TV but can't for the life of my remember why. Is it something to do with getting the coarse to melt and then refreeze harder?
Is soft wax 'faster' than hard and therefore more preferable if the conditions permit it?
I've seen them salt the coarse for races on TV but can't for the life of my remember why. Is it something to do with getting the coarse to melt and then refreeze harder?
Edited 3 times. Last update at 01-May-2007
Pavelski
reply to 'Why cold snow hard wax, warm snow soft wax?' posted May-2007
Soft wax also has much more "water repellant" properties and thus flows better.
You are on the mark as far as salt.
Actually it is not true salt but a combination of chemicals ( skiing is really getting to technical) which melts upper snow surface. Then freezes it to create a hard even surface.
Racers hate to ski on soft snow!
Imagine!!
You are on the mark as far as salt.
Actually it is not true salt but a combination of chemicals ( skiing is really getting to technical) which melts upper snow surface. Then freezes it to create a hard even surface.
Racers hate to ski on soft snow!
Imagine!!
Topic last updated on 02-May-2007 at 02:13