Wax 101
Where to put wax on cross country skis?
For cross country skis, glide wax is put on both the ends of the ski. The purpose of the glide wax is to give the ski less friction so that it glides easily across the snow when the skier is in the glide position.
Kick wax is placed in the kick zone, which is just located in front of the foot to just behind the heel. Kick wax gives the ski grip on the snow so that the skier can propel themselves forward, and ensures that the skier can climb any hills without sliding backwards.
Top 3 Tips
If you are already an alpine skier, your alpine glide waxes work well on cross country skis
Kick waxes are colour coded to help the skier determine the correct wax. Always look at the wax container to make sure you have selected the right wax for the snow temperatures
Even waxless skis benefit from application of glide wax to the tips and tails. There are easy to apply glide waxes specifically for this purpose.
Glide Wax
Glide wax comes in several forms. Traditional glide wax is put on the ski using a specialty waxing iron. These types of glide wax are like the CH10 and CH4 in the picture.
Newer forms of glide wax comes in bingo-dauber style, or a stick form which doesn’t need an iron to apply, and so is easier to use for the novice waxer.
Waxless skis should also have glide wax applied to the ends of the ski to ensure good glide. The bingo-dauber style glide waxes, or sprays for waxless skis are perfect for these types of skis.
Kick Wax
Kick wax needs a little more attention paid. You need to change your kick wax to suit the snow temperatures and conditions. Generally skiers have a selection of kick waxes in their wax kit, and select the appropriate one on the day they are skiing.
Kick waxes are put on the ski like a crayon in the kick wax zone.
Waxless skis do not need kick wax, they have grips that either look like fish scales or the newest type is mohair in the kick zone.
Caring for Waxless Skis
Waxless skis come in two main types:
- Step skis or otherwise known as “fish scales”
- The new “skin” skis
The skin skis (or twin skins) benefit from regular care to keep them in top condition. Once they wear down, they can be replaced with new skins to keep you skiing.
