Powder and Wax
For the new skier or snowboarder, waxing a board or skis may seem like a strange endeavor! Have you ever asked yourself…
Why do skis and boards need wax?
Modern skis and boards are made of a combination of several materials (metals, carbon fiber, wood, and/or different polymers). The base of the ski or snowboard has metal on the edges, and the main base is made of a plastic called polyethylene (also known by the brand name of “P-tex”).
This material will respond differently to cold powder, icy groomers, or spring slush, and can collect small bits of ice or water in any of the grooves and imperfections in your base. If you’ve ever ended up with a large amount of snow or ice frozen to your bases, you understand why this can be such a challenge.
Jake Filarski, founder and owner of Salty Ski Service, applying a hot wax to a pair of skis
How does ski wax work?
There are several different types of wax that can be used on skis and snowboards, but in general, wax works by filling gaps in your ski or snowboard base and providing a smooth, (almost) frictionless surface between your board and the snow. This is what enables you to glide.
In cold temperatures, this works simply by providing a smooth surface for you to glide across the snow. As the snow warms up (think spring skiing), a localized melting effect caused by the pressure of your skis on the snow begins to add a drag or increased friction to your travel. This localized melting effect may also happen in cold temperatures, but to a much lesser extent. This variation is why there are different types of wax, listed below.
Types of Ski Wax
Cold Wax (below -8°C / 17.6°F): Cold weather wax is typically hard and durable, perfect for cold blower powder and dry crisp January days. These waxes are especially good at preventing the cold snow from sticking to your skis, and ensuring there is minimal absorption of snow crystals into your base.
Warm Wax (above -2°C / 28.4°F): Warm weather wax is specially formulated for wet, slushy snow, where the drag of additional moisture can feel like there are breaks on the base on your skis. These often are softer wax, with more water repellency, and increase your ability to glide across corn snow without any drag.
Universal Wax: Salty Ski Service’s Hot Wax most often uses a universal or an all-weather wax, as Utah ski conditions tend to change day to day based on storm cycles. These waxes are designed to work in a broad range of conditions, with a moderate hardness and strong water repellency. They are the most versatile, and provide you with the best all around performance for your skis or board.
