If you’re an avid skier and want to learn how to wax cross country skis, hopefully this brief tutorial will prove to be helpful. Waxing your own skis is a great way to save money and guarantees that your ski equipment will always be in tip top condition.
Obviously, there are some tools that you’ll need for the job. Here is a breakdown of the most important things you’ll need to pick up before you begin waxing:
- Mineral Spirits
- Iron
- Foam Cork
- File
- Ice Scraper
- Horsehair, Nylon, and Brass Brushes
- Large Plastic Scraper
- Masking Tape
- Scotch Brite Pad
- 150 Grit Sandpaper
- Straps
Now that you’ve got the tools for the job, you’ll want to pick up some wax. There are several different types of wax that you can use on your cross country skis, and some are certainly better than others. Here are a few:
- Pure Fluoro
- Fastwax Tan
- Kick Waxes
- Paste Waxes
To begin the process, you’ll first need to prep your cross country skis. Apply several base coats of melted wax, scraping it between coats. After completing this process, go skiing!
If you find that your skis do not perform the way you anticipated at first, relax. This is completely normal. It typically takes a bit for new wax to begin working properly, so be patient during the break in period. Before you know it, your cross country skis will glide exactly as you imagined.
After each session, wax your cross country skis with a fresh layer to keep them in optimal condition.