How to Prepare Your Skis for the New Season
Itching to get back on the slopes?
If the ski season just can’t come quick enough, it always helps to get prepared. While you might be ready for the pistes, your gear might not be!
The right prep can help you perform better, hit new targets and have the best experience possible… What’s not to like?
If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our advice on how to prepare your skis for the new season.
Why Servicing Your Skis is Important
You might be wondering why this process is important. If it sounds like more hassle than it’s worth – rethink this.
Start the season as you mean to go on! Taking care of your skis can help you perform better, as your movements will be smoother and more precise.
Another bonus is that you’ll stay much safer on the slopes, benefiting both you and others around you. Properly looked after skis also help reduce the risk of injuries.
It’s a win-win!
What You’ll Need
If your skis were well-loved last season, it’s likely they deserve some care and attention! Plus, you may have forgotten to service them at the end of the season…
Most of us are capable of servicing our skis at home! A little DIY can go a long way.
So, what we you need to get them back to their optimum condition? Here’s a handy list:
- Wax
- An iron
- A file
- Masking tape
- A peeler
Optional equipment includes:
- An edge guide
- A gummy stone
- Ski securing vices
Of course, if you’re a hardcore adrenaline junkie, your skis may have taken a severe battering last season. If this is the case, you might want to take a more professional route – particularly when it comes to sharpening your skis.
Step One – Clean Your Skis
First things first, you can’t begin the care process without making sure your skis are clean.
Use water and cloth to remove any leftover residue, or dust that might have built up over the warmer months. If they’re really dirty, use a garden hose! Ensure they’re dry before continuing.
Step Two – Sharpen Your Skis
Ski sharpening is also known as ski tuning. Whichever name you choose, this is arguably the trickiest part of the process. But, it’s not rocket science either.
Run your file or gummy stone across the edges of your skis from top to tail, removing any signs of white ‘hairs’.
When sharpening the edges, masking tape can prevent any dust from getting into the bindings.
Ski securing vices will make this job much easier! This is why many turn to professionals to do it for them.
But, if you choose to do it yourself – be warned. Don’t over sharpen, as you can’t get back any material you wear off.
Step Three – Wax Your Skis
When you reach the waxing stage, the process is almost complete.
Hold the wax onto the bottom of the iron and let it drip onto your skis. Next, run the iron evenly along the base in a smooth motion – from tip to tail.
Keep the iron moving at all times!
After that, let the wax dry for around 30 minutes before taking a peeler and scraping it off. This should give you a smooth base.
It’s important to remember that waxing your skis doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll go faster, so don’t be afraid of being out of control on the slopes.
All it means is that your skis will glide more easily. Off-piste or on-piste, the terrain will be yours to tackle!
Step Four – Look After Your Skins
Your pre-season shopping list might be packed with exciting new items – but this doesn’t mean you should forget about your old gear!
Make sure your skins are clean, ready to make you look your best on the slopes. After that, you should be ready to hit the pistes.
Another way to get prepared for the ski season is working out your travel arrangements. To avoid long queues and public transport delays, get a private transfer. Alps2Alps run a professional, affordable service to all major destinations in the Alps. Find your low-cost transfer here!
