Do you want to keep your skis high-performing and in good condition for as long as possible? Proper maintenance is therefore essential, whether you are a fan of alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, off-piste skiing, etc.
Sport 2000 shares its expert advice to help you carry out this ski maintenance: essential steps, required equipment, must-know tips, and more.
Through contact with snow, moisture, and sometimes even rocks or other rough surfaces on the slopes, your pair of skis or your snowboard gradually wears out. This is a normal phenomenon, but it explains why regular and appropriate maintenance is essential.
Indeed, if you do not take care of your equipment, the risks are numerous: rusting skis, the appearance of small or large grooves, or even holes, etc. All of this affects not only performance quality but also your safety. With worn or damaged skis, the risk of loss of control and falling is significantly higher.
In addition, regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your equipment, and it will always cost you less to maintain your skis (or have them serviced by a professional workshop) than to frequently buy a new pair.
Waxing involves applying a layer of special wax to the ski bases in order to protect them and improve glide. Discover our tips for properly waxed skis.
It is recommended to wax your ski bases at the beginning of each season. If you stored your skis with a good layer of wax at the end of the previous season, it may simply be enough to scrape off the excess using a specific scraper.
During the season, it is then recommended to wax your skis every 4 to 6 outings in order to maintain good glide properties and avoid premature wear. If you ski competitively, or if you notice signs of abrasion, this frequency can even be daily.
Ski waxing is not a very complex operation, especially if you opt for cold waxing. In liquid form, the wax is easily applied to the base using a cloth, then brushed after a few minutes of drying. This is the easiest and most practical solution for waxing your skis yourself.
However, the performance and durability of liquid wax are lower compared to a hot wax treatment.
Hot waxing is therefore the most commonly used technique in ski workshops: you can leave your pair of skis at a Sport 2000 store to have this maintenance carried out. If you still want to do it at home, you will need to purchase a waxing kit consisting of a few essential accessories:
The other required step in maintaining your skis is sharpening the edges, i.e. the metal edges that allow the skis to grip the snow and hold an edge properly.
Edge sharpening ensures stability in turns and control while skiing. It is therefore recommended to perform this operation as soon as you feel reduced grip on hard or icy snow, or if you visually notice that the ski sidewall is worn.
However, sharpening too frequently will inevitably wear down the edges, which is why it is generally advised to have your skis or snowboard sharpened 1 to 2 times per season.
Sharpening is a slightly more technical operation than waxing, and incorrect movements could irreversibly damage your equipment. You must be careful not to remove too much material, while respecting a specific sharpening angle.
However, it is not impossible to carry out this maintenance yourself. You will then need to invest in several accessories:
Maintaining your equipment also involves optimal storage conditions when you are not on a mountain holiday or at the end of winter.
It is essential to remove dust and other dirt and to dry the skis thoroughly before storing them in a suitable ski bag. Ideally, store your equipment in a dry place where the temperature is not too high, and lay the skis flat (on a ski rack, for example) or store them vertically with the bases facing each other. Take the same care with your ski boots, drying them completely before storage.
Also remember to loosen the bindings so as not to overstrain the springs. Of course, do not forget to properly adjust the bindings again before using your skis the following winter.
During your stay, it is also important to follow certain guidelines. It is essential to dry the skis thoroughly before storing them in a dry place to prevent rust on the edges and metal binding parts, even if it is only overnight or for a day or two.
Remember to check the condition of your skis, if not every day, then at least once a week, to ensure there is no serious damage and to carry out any necessary maintenance in good time.
If needed, whether for maintenance operations such as waxing or sharpening, base repair, or more advanced repairs, you will find qualified professionals in Sport 2000 stores, located in many ski resorts across France.