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Pro tips for skiing hard
6 minutes
Taking care of your cross-country ski equipment allows you to get the most enjoyment out of it and extend its lifespan.
To help you know if you know all the maintenance tricks related to this gliding sport, we asked the advisors of the La Cordée ski section what they recommend to avoid common maintenance errors. In rapid succession, here are their suggestions.
WAXLESS SKIS
"I have scale skis, so I don't need to put anything on my skis!"
- Depending on the weather and snow conditions, waxless skis often offer less glide than waxed skis. However, their glide can be improved thanks to universal liquid glide wax that must be applied to the entire length of the ski.
"I wax my skis to increase my push."
- These are skis with soles with a relief designed to bite into the snow without applying wax. Therefore, avoid applying anything other than liquid glide wax because removing solid wax between the scales can be extremely laborious.
SKI POLES
"My shoulders hurt terribly after a cross-country ski outing."
- Your poles are probably too long. They should reach the middle of your shoulder. If this isn't the case, visit one of our stores, our specialists can adjust their size to increase your comfort and improve the efficiency of your pushes.
Camber:
"I can't enjoy skiing because no matter how much wax I apply to my skis, I always slide backward, or on the contrary, nothing slides."
- You may have a camber problem. When you buy a pair of skis, it's essential to do a camber test to assess the resistance to crushing of your ski in relation to your weight. A camber adapted to your weight will allow you to take advantage of the spring effect, which prevents the kick wax from coming into contact with the snow during the glide. Then, during the push, you will benefit from your wax effectively by crushing your glide zone against the snow.
If this work is not done correctly, you will either tend to slide backward, or feel like you're snowshoeing. That's why the camber must be precisely adapted to your weight.
KLISTER
“I use paint thinner to effectively clean klister at the end of my ski season.”
- Paint thinners often damage ski bases in addition to releasing fumes harmful to your lungs. Opt for wax remover and old rags instead. Avoid paper towels as they will disintegrate on your ski bases and be patient!
PUSH FART
"For a good push, I put a lot of kick wax on the entire sole of my skis."
- Kick wax should not be extended the full length of the skis. It should only be applied in the kick zone, which should be indicated by two small marks on the side of the ski.
- Kick wax should be applied in three thin layers. It is necessary to sand with a cork between each of the layers.
Little tip: Are you losing all your energy fighting against your skis that are constantly slipping? Slightly extend the area covered with kick wax or opt for a wax designed for temperatures slightly warmer than those outside.
SLIP AWAY
"Does it exist? What is it for?"
- It is applied to both ends of the ski to give, just as its name suggests, maximum glide downhill and on the flat.
- There are universal liquid glide waxes that you can apply to the ends of your skis to increase the pleasure of gliding. Thanks to their small applicators, these waxes spread in no time. Simply brush the ends of your precious skis with it before each of your outings.
SKI TRANSPORT
"I keep my skis in my car trunk all winter. That way, I'm always ready to discover new slopes."
- The error isn't keeping your skis in your car, but not tying them together when you transport them. During your travels, the soles of your skis will inevitably rub against each other or encounter other objects that could damage them. For just a few dollars, get small ties that will make transporting your skis easier while preserving their soles.
- Even more practical than small ties, cross-country ski bags allow you to carry your waxing kit, skis, poles, and boots in the same bag. Thus, if you decide to go skiing on a whim, preparing your equipment will be done in less than two minutes and you will be sure not to forget anything. Don't forget that even in a bag, your skis must be tied to protect the sole.
Pro tip: During the hike, if you need to adjust your waxing to the snow conditions and the weather, be sure to leave with your small waxing kit in your backpack or pocket.
If you're just starting out in the beautiful sport of cross-country skiing, you might need a little extra advice to fully enjoy this activity. In this case, don't hesitate to ask the cross-country ski advisors at La Cordée. In addition to properly adjusting your equipment, they will surely provide you with some valuable tips that will allow you to enjoy all this beautiful snow, which never lasts very long.
If, on the other hand, you want to imitate the pros and equip yourself for hot waxing, La Cordée can advise you just as well, since it has, in all its branches, cross-country ski enthusiasts who constantly dream of fresh snowfalls and mild weekends to enjoy it.
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