Cinq trucs pour se simplifier la vie en ski de fond

Five tips to make your cross-country skiing life easier

La Cordée

September 19, 2025

6 minutes

Cross-country ski enthusiasts, we suggest you check that your cross-country ski equipment is complete. In addition to this valuable advice, La Cordée offers you five more helpful tips to make your cross-country skiing life easier.

Scales or not... Or both?

You're very hesitant between waxable skis and those with scales. On the one hand, you don't want to lose performance, but on the other, you don't yet master the art of waxing, but it's in your New Year's resolutions? Until then, the grip tape may interest you. The grip tape acts a bit like fish scales, but it offers better performance. Temporary grip, it has a lifespan of about 200-250 km, you can remove it whenever you like and thus wax your skis with the wax of the day. Usable for a wide variety of conditions, these grip strips are installed under the sole, inside the kick zone. It is an essential accessory for any cross-country skier who wants to simplify their life when it comes to waxing, without too much decreasing performance.

The iron, you can do without it! I prefer: The waxing iron to make your life easier.

You thought using the same iron you use for your clothes was an economical and easy solution for a good hot waxing? Think again. Of course, an iron can be a temporary fix, but investing in a real waxing iron will offer you undeniable advantages. An iron can easily vary in temperature from one end of the ski to the other, while an iron designed for ski bases is designed to maintain the same temperature throughout the waxing application. Don't neglect this tool; it will be your most faithful ally in obtaining a good and beautiful wax, especially for the gliding zones. At La Cordée, you'll find Swix and Toko, each offering their own model of waxing iron. Whether it's the Iron Maiden, the Toko T8 waxing iron, or any other model, you'll quickly realize that one of these irons is very useful.

Three thin layers of retention wax are better than one generous layer.

This rule may seem basic for those accustomed to waxing, but it's the key rule for all skiers with waxable skis. When you need to apply grip wax, do it in stages. Three to five thin, well-smoothed layers will perform much better than a single generous layer applied too quickly. To make your life even easier, work on a waxing table and not directly outdoors, where the wax will be too cold to apply properly. However, a temperature change may occur during your outings. Plan ahead and never leave without a wax warmer than the one you've already put on your skis.

Easy-to-use glue?

Skier when the mercury rises above freezing is bliss, but it requires the use of klister. This sticky substance is often the black sheep of your waxing kit since it tends to gum up everything. However, it is the key element for good pushes when conditions are icy or the snow is very wet. When it's beautiful and warm, don't deprive yourself of skiing... dare to use klister. Keep in mind that the days when you have to put on klister are often among the most wonderful of your season, which should make the task more appealing.

To make your life easier, but especially to facilitate the application of klister in your kick zone, opt for a universal klister in aerosol format. It will be perfect for wet snow conditions and very easy to spread.

Here are the main points for its application:

After thoroughly cleaning the kick zone, you must shake the bottle then press the sponge of the latter against the sole of your ski, always respecting your kick zone. Do not forget that the usual kick zone is reduced when applying klister, as it is thicker than grip wax. Use the bottle's sponge to spread the klister.Then you let the skis cool and harden outside, for 10 to 15 minutes, and you're ready to enjoy the slopes and the sun. Be careful not to handle your skis by grabbing them by the waxing pocket, otherwise your hands will become very sticky and your klister will need to be retouched. A little tip for storing your klister bottle or tube: provide a small resealable plastic bag, this will prevent you from sticking the entire waxing box. To make your life easier, but especially to facilitate the application of klister in your kick zone, opt for a universal klister in aerosol format. It will be perfect for wet snow conditions and very easy to spread.

Goodbye Sticky Hands

Despite all the good will and excellent technique, after a visit to the waxing room, it's not uncommon for your hands to be sticky, especially after using klister. Washing with soap and water is often useless. Some people use wax remover, but this is not recommended for the skin. The best option is to buy a cleaning paste of the same type used by mechanics to wash their hands. You'll find it in the vast majority of hardware stores. It's also an economical solution since one container lasts a long time.

In Stéphanie Drolet's wonderful book, Cross-country skiing for skiers of all levels, another tip is offered for washing your hands. A little less traditional than the paste, the trick is to put on your gloves directly and go skiing. It seems that this simple technique effectively cleans the hands without the gloves becoming sticky. Will you dare to try it?

Having this guide on hand is also a way to simplify your life in cross-country skiing!

Have a great end to the ski season!