How to wax skis
Wondering how to wax skis? You can take them to a shop. But why not do it yourself? Yes, waxing at home isn’t as scary as it sounds. And, with a little know-how and some choice tools, you’ll have everything needed to give your sticks a shop-grade wax whenever you like.
So, where do you start with waxing skis? Well, there are a few things needed to get going – and keep your skis running fast and smooth. You can collect tools individually or pick up a waxing kit. And spoiler alert – this process doesn’t just involve candle wax and a clothes iron!
But don’t worry — we’ve provided you with a step-by-step guide so you can start waxing ASAP. Feeling ready? Dial in those DINs and drop in. And while you're at it, check out our newest gear to keep you looking sharp on the slopes.
5 steps for waxing skis
1. Gather tools and supplies
Before touching your skis, round up the correct tools and supplies. Don’t worry – they’re not that niche! As mentioned above, grab a basic kit that includes everything or collect individual items. These are:
Wax: There are a few options depending on your needs. All-temperature (or 'universal') wax works well in both cold and warm conditions. If you want to get more specific, temperature-specific waxes are tailored for either cold winter days or warmer spring conditions. For those who crave speed, there's fluorocarbon wax—the slipperiest choice, though not exactly kind to the environment. And if you’re eco-conscious, eco-friendly wax ensures you can glide down the slopes without leaving a guilty trail behind.
Waxing iron: This is a specifically designed temperature-adjustable, flat-bottomed iron. It works at the correct heat to melt and spread wax without damaging the base of your skis. Meanwhile, the dimpled surface helps distribute the wax evenly. Why not use a regular iron? Well, a clothes iron could burn the wax, damage your skis, and all the holes become gummed up with burnt wax. Not ideal, right? So don’t do that.
Scraper: Once you apply the wax, you’ll then have to scrape it all off. We know – it sounds counterintuitive, right? But it makes your skis super smooth. For this, you’ll need a plastic or metal scraper designed to remove the wax without damaging your base.
Brushes: You can get by with just a nylon brush, but you’ll likely want to grab a bronze and horsehair brush, too. These structure the wax, work it into the base, create a nap (a directional aspect in the base), and help remove any excess wax missed by scraping.
Vise or stand: This holds your skis in place while you work on them. And you need your skis to remain secure as you apply force through the scraper and brushes.
Edge tool/file: This removes burrs and sharpens your edges. Want to do a proper edge-sharpening session, too? You’ll want a gummy stone (a rough stone that helps smooth small burrs and blemishes in the metal edge).
Cleaning supplies: This is usually a citrus-based base cleaner and a cotton or microfiber cloth. Together, they help remove any dirt, grime, or remaining wax before you start your re-wax.
Extras: An apron is handy to keep wax residue off your clothes. Oh, you also want a dustpan and brush to collect the shaved-off wax. Trust us, there’ll be a lot! And rubber bands help hold your brakes out of the way while you work.
2. Prep your skis
Time to get to work! First, secure your skis with the base facing up. You’ll likely have to work one ski at a time, but that’s fine. Get your brakes out of the way and secure them with a rubber band (usually included in the kit). Then, spray a healthy amount of base cleaner down the length of the ski and scrub any grime or remaining wax off with a clean cloth.
Wait for that to dry, and we’re ready for wax. Want to run your file or edge tool along the edges to remove burrs? It’s wise to do it at this stage. Wait until after waxing, and there’s a solid chance you’ll damage the wax near the sidewalls.
3. Apply wax
Once your iron is plugged in and hot, hold it in your dominant hand with a bar of wax in the other. Press the hot surface of the iron into the wax using light pressure. Then, place both about three or four inches above your ski.
Droplets of wax should drip onto the ski pretty quickly! Move up and down the base, creating a nice, even coverage. Our favorite method? Make sure there’s an inch or less between each droplet.
4. Use your waxing iron
Once you have a good amount of wax on there, set your wax bar down. Then, lightly move the hot iron along the base of your skis, working in circular motions to melt and spread the wax over the entire thing. Spend a few minutes doing this and apply a light-to-moderate amount of pressure. This makes sure you’re ‘pressing’ the wax into the natural structure of your skis.
Have every inch of your ski base covered? Leave the wax and base to cool – around 30 minutes is usually plenty! However, you can leave it for an hour or overnight if you’d prefer.
5. Scrape and brush
Once the wax has dried and cooled, hold your scraper about a 45-degree angle to the ski. Then, drive it along the base with even pressure. Hold it in two hands, with your fingers on top and thumbs underneath. This creates a very slight bend in the middle of the scraper, ensuring it doesn’t hook up on the edges and miss any wax! Move the scraper from nose to tail until there’s no more wax. Then, take your bronze brush and work from nose to tail, too.
Apply a medium amount of pressure to structure the remaining wax. Wipe off the excess wax ‘dust’ with a cloth and repeat with the nylon and horsehair brushes to create your ‘nap’. This will help with speed and the wax job’s longevity. You’re all done! If you want, you can ‘buff’ your skis for a slicker, faster finish. Do this by moving a soft cloth in light circles to compress any loose wax and help smooth it out.
Wrapping up
There you have it – our quick-fire guide to waxing your skis at home. That wasn’t that complicated, now, was it? Of course, waxing at home isn’t for everyone. So if you’d prefer the shop to do it, that’s totally fine. But for those who’d like to get their hands a little dirty – and their skis dialed in to their preference – waxing at home is as much of a joy as it is a chore.
Have a question on waxing or think we missed something obvious? Shoot us a message at crew@montecwear.com and let us know your thoughts!
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