Glide Wax For Ski Conditions

Skiers apply glide wax to cross-country, or Nordic, skis; downhill, or alpine, skis; and snowboarding. Do not confuse glide wax with kick or grip wax. Similar to candle wax, glide wax is made specifically for application to your gear. It decreases the friction between your gear and the snow below so that you can achieve maximum speed and tighter turns. Glide wax also protects your skis or snowboard.

Varieties

You'll find an array of glide wax that varies in price, quality and ingredients. Temperate-specific waxes are color coded to make it easy to decipher when to use each type. Most ski centers will post their suggested color to use for current conditions. Universal wax is fine for all conditions and best for recreational skiers, as is the 2-wax system. The easiest and most convenient is rub-on wax, which you can just apply before skiing without the use of much equipment.

Nordic Skiing

The better waxed your cross-country skis, the better they will glide across the snow. You can have a professional wax your skis or you can do it yourself. Glide wax comes in four color codes: green, blue, red and yellow. Choose the color based on the snow conditions and temperature. Before waxing, be certain your skis are waxable. There are no-wax Nordic skis on the market. Apply glide wax only to the tips and tails of your cross-country skis.

Grip or Kick Wax

Grip or kick wax is used in the middle portion of cross-country skis. Grip wax works with glide wax to achieve optimal performance. Like glide wax, there are a variety of grip waxes. Softer waxes have a lower melting temperature and are recommended when it is warmer and the snow is wetter. Hard wax is best for colder and drier conditions.

Tools

You'll need a few tools for glide wax. Use cleaning supplies to prepare your skis. This includes a plastic scrapper for removing old wax and rags and soapy water to remove debris. You'll need an iron to apply the wax, and it's best to allocate an iron specifically for this task. You'll also a need a few brushes, including one nylon and one copper or brass brush. Finally, you'll need a groove pin.

Alpine Skiing & Boarding

Skiers apply glide wax to the entire base of their downhill skis or snowboards, as opposed. Glide waxes with fluorocarbon work well when conditions are near freezing temperatures. Fluorocarbon-based waxes are more expensive but offer better glide, especially if you are looking for speed. Powder-based waxes are less expensive and can provide great glide for recreational downhill skiers and riders.