As the temperature starts to drop, it’s time to dig out your cross-country skis from the garage and get them ready for another season of adventure. Before you hit the trails, taking a few steps to ensure your skis are in top condition can make all the difference in your performance and enjoyment. Proper ski maintenance and ski care are essential for both preserving your equipment and enhancing your skiing experience. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to maintain skis before taking them out of storage for the season.

A Step-By-Step Ski Care Guide

1. Remove Storage Wax and Inspect Your Skis

Remove Storage Wax: Ideally, your skis should have been stored with a warm layer of storage wax on the base (Swix PS8 or Base performance red from Toko are great for storage wax). This wax protects the base against heat, dust, and drying out during the off-season. If you applied storage wax before storing your skis, you’ll need to remove it before heading out on the trails.

Remove the Wax: Use a plastic scraper to gently remove the storage wax. Then brush the skis first with a bronze brush, followed by a nylon brush.

Inspect for Damage: After removing the wax, give your skis a thorough inspection. Look for any cracks, delamination, or other signs of damage that may have occurred during storage. This is an important part of how to take care of skis for longevity.

Examine the Base: Inspect the base of your skis for any deep scratches, gouges, or dry spots. If you notice significant damage, consider taking your skis to a professional for repair and stone grind them. After a stone grind, your skis will look brand new and be ready for optimal performance!

2. If You Didn’t Apply Storage Wax: Clean the Base

Remove Old Wax: Use a base cleaner and wipe the skis with some Fiberlene.

Brush the Base: Use a nylon or brass brush to clean out the base structure. This will help remove dirt, dust, or old wax remnants and prepare the base for fresh waxing, an essential step in ski care.

3. Wax Your Skis

Choose the Right Wax: Depending on the snow conditions and temperature, select an appropriate glide wax for your skis. You don’t want to use your storage wax—you’ll likely need something colder for optimal performance.

Apply the Wax: Melt the wax onto the base using a waxing iron, then spread it evenly. Allow the wax to cool for about 30 minutes before scraping it off with a plastic scraper. Finish by brushing the base with a nylon brush to polish it and enhance glide. Regular waxing is key for tuning up skis and ensuring smooth movement on the trails.

4. Inspect and Maintain Bindings

Check for Wear and Tear: Inspect the bindings for any signs of wear, cracks, or loose screws. Make sure the bindings are securely attached to the skis and functioning properly.

5. Store Skis Properly Between Uses

Use Ski Straps: When transporting or storing your skis, use ski straps to keep them together and protect the bases from scratching against each other.

Proper Storage Location: Store your skis in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent warping and other damage. This is a fundamental part of long-term ski maintenance.

6. Consider a Professional Tune-Up

Stone Grinding: If your skis haven’t been professionally serviced in a while, consider getting a stone grind to refresh the base structure. This can greatly improve glide and overall performance on the trails.

Expert Tuning: At Winthrop Mountain Sports, we can address any issues you might not notice and ensure your cross-country skis are in optimal condition for the season. If the base of your skis looks dry, consider sending them to our hot box. A Nordic ski hot box is a specialized device that uses controlled heat to deeply penetrate wax into the base, providing better glide and enhanced ski performance. For expert ski tuning and waxing in the Winthrop area, contact our skilled team!

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly prepare your cross-country skis at the beginning of the season will not only extend their lifespan but also enhance your skiing experience. Ski maintenance is crucial—if you don’t prepare your skis before the first outing, early-season snow with a humid base can cause your skis to become sticky or ice up. Icing happens quickly when dirt on the skis melts and refreezes, leading to large snow clumps under your ski base, making it nearly impossible to ski.

By following these steps on how to take care of skis, you can ensure that your cross-country skis are ready to deliver top performance on the trails. So, before you head out for that first glide of the season, give your skis the attention they deserve—and enjoy a smooth, fast, and fun start to your winter adventures!