Which wax should I use?

From blocks of wax to spy on wax, from coloured wax to universal wax, the ski wax market is getting bigger every day; making it more and more difficult to choose which wax to use. Different factors, such as your skiing style, the weather and the snow conditions need to be taken into account when you are working out which ski servicing product you need.

Liquid wax or solid blocks of wax?

Liquid wax is easy to use, it is quick and makes little mess. They often contain no Fluorine, petrol or other solvents and are known as the more environmentally friendly wax. They are easy to apply and tend to come either as a spray or with a sponge applicator. The wax can be applied directly to the base of your skis or snowboard and will sink in. It is the perfect wax to take with you when you are away from home and don’t want to take all your servicing kit with you or for those who are just starting to service their own equipment. However, liquid wax doesn’t last as long as solid wax and as such its use is limited.

If you want the wax to last longer and to optimize the ski’s performance, then chose a solid wax. The best wax is a hot wax treatment. Thanks to the heat, the wax will be completely absorbed and will last longer. The downside is that it is slightly more complicated to apply than liquid wax.

A wax for every season!

As well as coming in different forms there are also different types of wax: universal, coloured or wax with added Fluorine. Each wax is suited to different snow conditions. Here are a few different types:

A universal wax can be used in all conditions, it doesn’t matter what type of snow there is, or what the season is.

There are also types of wax for specific snow conditions, for those of you who are looking to optimize the performance of the ski:

• Blue wax is for cold days when the temperatures are less than -12°c
• Red wax is for days when the temperatures are between -15°c and 5°c
• Yellow wax for warm days between 3°c and 20°c
• Wax with added fluorine for spring touring conditions which will help the ski to glide through sticky snow.

So, there you have it! The current snow conditions, the temperature and how much time you have to service your skis all need to be taken into account when selecting which wax to use.