Do I need to tune/wax my skis?

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Newb

If this isn't the right category for this thread let me know...

Just took my skis out of storage to get ready for the season and my father, who still is an incredible skier at almost 60, said I don't need to wax or tune them and that they will do just fine. I questioned him further and he said he doesn't remember the last time he waxed them. They're a pair of Rossignol 88's I got at a good deal five years ago because the top sheet was beat up.

Is it worth it to bring them in and spend the money to get them freshened up at the shop? Or will they just be fine?

Thanks!

Nov 7 2017 1:39PM

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HypeBeast

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I would wax them. Can you post a picture so we can see what the bases look like and maybe determine if a stone grind will be worth your while?

Nov 7 2017 2:00PM

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Bassin

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If you haven't waxed them in five years and have been using them each season they could probably use a fresh wax. If you have access to the tools to do it yourself, great, otherwise I'd pay the 10-20 whatever your shop charges and have them done.
I guess if you're only skiing a weekend or two a year you might not notice a huge difference. Going down is usually not so bad, it's the flats and catwalks I notice more when it's time to wax.

Nov 7 2017 2:10PM

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Wescustogo

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I'll get a picture in a couple hours. I'm hoping to take advantage of my college discount season pass and go most weekends, and being at Sugarloaf in the northeast there's a lot of ice.

Nov 7 2017 2:18PM

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OregonDead

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Spend a little money and wax them yourself at home. It's really easy to learn and you can get good results with nothing more than an old clothes iron and a plastic scraper. When I went to Tahoe I noticed my cousin didn't wax his board that he was lending to his son. He had an old iron in the garage so I had him bring that up to the cabin. Went to a shop and bought a block of wax for like $10 and the guy gave me a scraper. After scraping I brushed with one of those kitchen dish pads. Cost probably less than $12 including the dish pad and electricity. We waxed up everyone's boards and he probably has enough wax left to get him though a season.

TLDR/ wax makes a big difference but do it yourself.

Nov 7 2017 2:20PM

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HypeBeast

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Check out amazon or eBay for a waxing kit. It's a moderate investment upfront but in the long run, it will save you loads of cash versus taking to a shop. Plus it's therapeutic. ....and please don't use a dish sponge to brush. That's retarded.

Nov 7 2017 2:50PM

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OregonDead

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IsitWinterYet17Check out amazon or eBay for a waxing kit. It's a moderate investment upfront but in the long run, it will save you loads of cash versus taking to a shop. Plus it's therapeutic. ....and please don't use a dish sponge to brush. That's retarded.

Don't knock the dish scrubber until you try it. Basically the same effect as some of those fancy scotchbrite finishing pads they sell at the ski tuning supply places. Op ideally use a brush after you wax.
Those little kits are nice if you have about $55 they have a good one at Tognar. I scored a Toko one on STP for cheap a few years back.
Of course you can get as much into waxing as you want and spend $100s on wax and tools.
All I'm trying to say is you can get started waxing at home for about the same price as just one or two hot waxes in the shop.

Nov 7 2017 3:07PM

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DMadd11883

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Don't drop money on a waxing kit. Buy an old iron for like 5 bucks get you a little brick of all temp wax. The search it up on Youtube and you're set. One thing you should buy is an edge file; I might be cheap but I'm not the monster who says sharped your edges with a freakin rock. And about the actual question you asked yeah of course wax your skis and learn to tune and de-tune the edges.

Nov 7 2017 5:02PM

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Wescustogo

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Here's what they look like. Edges feel pretty dull to me with a few rough spots.

Nov 8 2017 10:28AM

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DominatorJacques

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WescustogoIf this isn't the right category for this thread let me know...

Just took my skis out of storage to get ready for the season and my father, who still is an incredible skier at almost 60, said I don't need to wax or tune them and that they will do just fine. I questioned him further and he said he doesn't remember the last time he waxed them. They're a pair of Rossignol 88's I got at a good deal five years ago because the top sheet was beat up.

Is it worth it to bring them in and spend the money to get them freshened up at the shop? Or will they just be fine?

Thanks!

Yes, it's worth it. It's even more worth it to learn to do your own work. It can be a large investment when you get everything you need to do good work and a pretty long learning curve too.
If you plan on skiing for years, it will be the best thing you ever learned to do.

Good luck and remember a $10.00 wax is not worth much most places.

Nov 8 2017 12:54PM

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HypeBeast

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WescustogoHere's what they look like. Edges feel pretty dull to me with a few rough spots.

Wow those don't look too bad. I was expecting mega base burn. I'm assuming they haven't been skied much since the last wax? Try scraping the back of your fingernail against the edges; that should give you an ok idea of if your edges are dull or sharp. Check for burs on edges and remove them

Nov 8 2017 3:25PM

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DominatorJacques

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