New Skis/Board Care

Considerations for New Skis

Before you sharpen edges or wax...

Clean the base of the ski

• New skis will be dirty from the manufacturing process and have a layer of factory wax.
• NOTE: Never use base cleaners on your base. Always clean by the hot-wax-scrape method. It is good for your base and repeated waxing keeps the bases running fast.
• Scrape the factory wax off with a plexiglass scraper.
• Use the hot-wax-scrape method to completely clean the ski.
• Choose an inexpensive soft (warm-temperature) wax. The red (warm) hydrocarbon wax (PB-1000) sold here is excellent for this purpose.
• Set your skis in a vise and hold the brakes back with a brake retainer.
• Iron on a coat of wax and scrape it off while it is still liquid. You may see dirt or grime in the hot wax.
• Repeat waxing/scraping until the wax is clean.
• If the ski conditions are cold, start with a warm wax to clean, but switch to a cold at the end. The idea is to a warm wax that will stay fluid longer and penetrate deeper, then transition to a wax that more closely matches your snow conditions.
• Allow to cool at room temperature.
• Follow up with a brass brush; leave as is if you are done for the day.

Check for flatness

• Hold a true bar to the ski at 8-10 points along its length (see picture below).
• You are looking for a base that is consistent along its length, neither high nor low compared to the edges.
• Base material should be free of waves.

Add structure to your base

• The average skier may wish to retain the factory grind; a racer should consult with a shop technician that knows what grind is performing well in your region.
• For a new ski to be stone ground by a technician, consult with them to select the best structure for your snow conditions.