In brief: The essentials about waxing
- Main sign: Whitish/grayish base = urgent waxing
- Average frequency: Every 5-7 ski days for normal use
- Performance: A well-waxed ski glides 30% better
- Waxing duration: 5-10 days depending on conditions
- Professional price: 20 GBP for complete hot waxing
Why is waxing so important?
Waxing isn't just about performance, it's above all the essential protection for your skis. Understanding its role will help you better identify when it becomes necessary.
The role of wax on your skis
1. Base protection
Your skis' base is porous and absorbs wax like a sponge. Without this protection, it dries out, becomes brittle and deteriorates rapidly. It's like moisturizing your skin: essential to preserve it.
2. Glide optimization
Wax creates an interface between snow and base, reducing friction. This thin layer allows your skis to glide by creating a microscopic water film, a phenomenon essential for good gliding.
3. Adaptation to conditions
Different waxes correspond to different temperatures and snow types. Adapted waxing can transform a tough day into a moment of pure pleasure.
4. Energy savings
Well-waxed skis require up to 40% less effort on flat sections. Over a full day, it's the difference between returning exhausted or still having energy to enjoy après-ski.
Visual signs of a base needing wax
Visual guide to diagnose your bases
| Base appearance | Diagnosis | Urgency | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black and shiny | Perfect condition | None | Continue skiing |
| Slightly dull | Beginning of wear | Medium | Waxing in 3-5 days |
| Whitish/grayish | Lack of wax | High | Immediate waxing |
| White with "hairs" | Oxidized base | Very high | Sanding + waxing |
| White scratches | Superficial impacts | Medium | Repair + waxing |
| Holes/deep scratches | Significant damage | High | Complete professional service |
Priority areas to monitor
- Under the foot: Maximum pressure zone, whitens first
- Inner edges: Wear often starts from the sides
- Tip and tail: Often neglected but important zones
- Contact points: Where the ski touches snow in normal position
Pro tip: Look at your skis under different light angles. Dry areas appear more clearly in raking light.
Practical signs: What you feel on the snow
Sensations indicating waxing need
On groomed slope
- Sensation of "sticking" to snow, especially on flats
- Excessive effort to maintain speed
- Unusual friction noise (like velcro)
- Snow accumulation under skis in mild weather
In powder
- Excessive sinking into snow
- Difficulty getting up and gaining speed
- Heavy skis that don't "float"
On hard/icy snow
- Significant vibrations at high speed
- Jerky gliding instead of fluid
- Sensation of instability in curves
The water drop test
A simple and effective test:
- Place a water drop on the clean base
- If it beads and rolls = wax OK
- If it spreads or is absorbed = waxing necessary
Waxing frequency: Create your personal calendar
Frequency table by profile and conditions
| Your profile | Fresh snow | Groomed snow | Artificial snow | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (1-5 d/year) | 1x/stay | 1x/stay | 2x/stay | 2x/stay |
| Occasional (5-15 d/year) | Every 7-10d | Every 5-7d | Every 3-5d | Every 3-5d |
| Regular (15-30 d/year) | Every 5-7d | Every 3-5d | Every 2-3d | Every 2-3d |
| Enthusiast (30+ d/year) | Every 3-5d | Every 2-3d | Daily | Daily |
Factors accelerating waxing needs
- Temperature: Extreme cold (-15°C) dries bases faster
- Snow type: Artificial snow wears wax 2x faster
- Skiing style: Carved turns wear more than skidded turns
- Storage: Poorly stored ski loses wax even without use
When to wax according to your ski type?
Each discipline has its specifics in terms of waxing. Here's how to adapt your maintenance:
Alpine skis (slope and all-mountain)
- Standard frequency: Every 5-7 practice days
- Particularity: Complete base to maintain uniformly
- Recommended wax: Universal or temperature-adapted
- Critical zone: Under foot where pressure is maximum
Touring skis
- Frequency: Every 7-10 days (less abrasion on natural snow)
- Recommended wax: Universal to adapt to altitude variations
Cross-country skis (classic)
- Major specificity: Grip zone under foot
- Glide waxing: Tip and tail only
- Grip wax: Central zone, to renew each outing
- Complexity: Often requires professional expertise
Cross-country skis (skating)
- Frequency: Every 2-3 outings (strong solicitation)
- Particularity: Entire base is waxed
- Recommended wax: Specific high-performance waxes
- Critical temperature: Very sensitive to variations
Snowboard
- Frequency: Identical to alpine skis
- Particularity: Larger snowboard surface = more wax needed
- Critical zone: Edges, often neglected
- Waxing time: 30% longer than a pair of skis
Sanglard Sports waxing service
Professional waxing that makes the difference
Our workshop uses high-performance waxes selected for Chamonix's specific conditions:
- Analysis of daily conditions to choose optimal wax
- Temperature-controlled application for maximum penetration
- Base structuring to efficiently evacuate water
- Manual finishing for perfect results
Our waxing formulas:
- Express waxing (30 min): 10 GBP - Ideal during stay
- Performance waxing: 25 GBP - With adapted structuring
- Season subscription: Preferential rates for locals
The Sanglard +: Personalized advice on wax choice according to your daily program (slope, off-piste, altitude...). Don't hesitate to visit one of our stores in Chamonix or Argentiere for more information.
How snow influences your waxing
The 6 snow types and their impact
| Snow type | Characteristics | Waxing frequency | Wax color code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh | Powder, soft | Every 7-10 days | Yellow/Pink |
| Fine | 2-3 days after fall | Every 5-7 days | Red |
| Granular | Packed snow 1 week | Every 4-5 days | Violet |
| Spring | Humid, transformed | Every 2-3 days | Yellow |
| Saturated | Very humid, "soup" | Daily if possible | Fluor/Yellow |
| Artificial | Aggressive crystals | Every 2-3 days | Universal |
Different wax types and when to use them
Wax selection guide according to conditions
| Wax type | Temperature | Ideal conditions | Effectiveness duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold wax | -15°C to -5°C | Cold and dry snow | 7-10 days |
| Universal wax | -10°C to 0°C | All conditions | 5-7 days |
| Warm wax | -5°C to +3°C | Transformed snow | 3-5 days |
| Spring wax | 0°C to +10°C | Humid/wet snow | 2-3 days |
Fluorinated vs ecological wax: What to choose?
Fluorinated waxes (being banned)
- Maximum gliding performance
- Significant environmental impact
- Banned in competition from 2025
New generation ecological waxes
- Performance equivalent to 95%
- Biodegradable and non-toxic
- Compliant with new regulations
Why and how to dewax before waxing?
Dewaxing eliminates:
- Old oxidized wax residues
- Impurities (grooming oil, dust, pollen)
- Metallic micro-particles from edges
Professional technique:
- Application of cleaning paraffin at 110°C
- Immediate hot scraping (removes impurities)
- Shavings should be gray/black (sign of effectiveness)
- Without this step, new wax doesn't penetrate correctly
Did you know? A poorly dewaxed ski can lose 50% of new wax effectiveness!
Home waxing vs professional: Comparative analysis
What you can really do at home
Cold waxing (liquid/paste)
- Advantages: Quick, no equipment, 10 GBP per bottle
- Disadvantages: Effectiveness 1-2 days maximum, superficial penetration
- Verdict: Emergency solution only
Amateur hot waxing
- Necessary equipment: Iron (80-150 GBP), wax, scraper, brushes = 200 GBP minimum
- Time: 45 min to 1h30 per pair
- Risks: Overheating, irregular application, wrong wax choice
- Verdict: Only profitable for very heavy skiers
Decisive advantages of professional waxing
- Expert diagnosis: Evaluation of your bases' real condition
- Adapted wax: Precise choice according to current conditions
- Optimal application: Controlled temperature and pressure (100°C for waxing, 110°C for dewaxing)
- Structuring: Micro-grooving to evacuate water
- Durability: Pro waxing lasts 2 to 3 times longer
- Guarantee: Free redo if dissatisfied
Economic calculation: For 15 ski days/year, pro costs 100 GBP/year vs 200 GBP equipment investment + time + risks.
Impact of poor waxing on your ski days
Concrete consequences of lack of wax
| Affected aspect | Consequences | Impact on your day |
|---|---|---|
| Physical fatigue | +40% effort needed | Heavy legs by noon |
| Gliding pleasure | Sensation of "dragging" skis | Constant frustration |
| Technical progression | Impossible to work on finesse | Level stagnation |
| Safety | Unpredictable speed, reduced control | Increased fall risk |
| Equipment wear | Premature base aging | Early replacement |
Ideal waxing calendar over a season
Typical schedule for regular skier (20 days/season)
December - Season start
- Week 1: Start-up waxing after storage
- Week 3: Check and adjustment according to first snows
January-February - Core season
- Every 2 weeks: Waxing adapted to conditions
- After each snowfall: Visual check
March - Season end
- Special spring waxing: Adaptation to mild temperatures
- Before storage: Thick protective waxing (overmolding)
Special cases requiring immediate waxing
- After base repair
- Brutal condition change (cold to mild)
- Before competition or important outing
- Ski rental (often poorly or not waxed)
- New skis to optimize from start (even if factory wax present)
Warning: Never ski on partially snow-covered roads! This practice instantly destroys all waxing work.
FAQ: All your questions about ski waxing
> How often should I wax my skis for normal use?
For a skier who practices regularly (10-20 days/season), waxing every 5-7 ski days is ideal. This frequency maintains optimal gliding and protects your bases. If you ski occasionally, waxing at stay start and mid-week suffice. Conditions greatly influence: artificial snow or spring require waxing every 3-4 days.
> How to visually recognize a ski needs waxing?
The most obvious sign is the appearance of whitish or grayish zones on the base, normally black and shiny. These dry zones appear first under foot and near edges. Run your hand on the base: if it catches or seems rough instead of smooth, waxing is needed. In raking light, a dry base appears dull and matte.
> What's the difference between hot and cold waxing?
Hot waxing, done with iron by a professional, makes wax penetrate deep into base pores. It lasts 5-10 days and offers complete protection. Cold waxing (liquid or spray) stays on surface and serves only as emergency for 1-2 days maximum. It's the difference between deeply moisturizing your skin or applying a simple protective film.
> Can you over-wax skis?
No, it's impossible to "over" wax your skis! Unlike sharpening which wears edges, waxing only nourishes and protects the base. The more you wax regularly, the better your skis glide and the longer they last. Competitors wax daily without any problem. The only "risk" is having skis that glide too well!
> Why do my skis seem to stick to snow even after waxing?
Several possible causes: wrong wax choice (too cold for mild conditions), incorrect application (inappropriate iron temperature), or damaged base requiring sanding. At Sanglard Sports, we precisely diagnose the problem and adapt wax to daily conditions. Professional waxing solves this problem in 95% of cases.
> Is waxing necessary for rental skis?
At Sanglard Sports, we wax and structure all rental park skis before each rental. This service is included in our rental rates.
> How long does professional waxing last?
A well-done professional waxing lasts between 5 and 10 ski days depending on conditions. On soft and cold snow, count 8-10 days. On artificial or spring snow, rather 4-6 days. Wax quality, application temperature, and base structuring directly influence durability. Our high-performance waxings maximize this longevity.
> Should alpine and touring skis be waxed differently?
Principles remain identical but approach differs. In touring, we favor universal waxes to adapt to altitude and temperature variations. Frequency can be more spaced because bases suffer less on non-groomed snow. We offer a specific touring service that respects these particularities.
> My ski has white scratches, is waxing enough?
Superficial white scratches often disappear with good waxing that re-nourishes the base. For deeper scratches (you feel with nail), P-Tex repair is necessary before waxing. Our technicians evaluate each case and propose the adapted solution. Simple waxing on deep scratches would be wasteful.
> Can you wax yourself with a regular iron?
Technically possible but strongly discouraged! Household irons don't have precise thermostat and create hot spots that can delaminate the base. Not counting the lack of adapted sole that scratches skis. For 20-25 GBP, professional waxing avoids these risks and guarantees optimal results. The savings aren't worth the risk of ruining 500 GBP skis.
> Does waxing really improve a beginner's performance?
Absolutely! A beginner benefits even more from waxing than an expert. Skis that glide well require less effort, allow focusing on technique rather than fighting equipment. Progression is faster, fatigue reduced, pleasure multiplied. It's the smartest investment for a motivated beginner.
> Should cross-country skis be waxed differently?
Absolutely! Classic cross-country ski requires two wax types: glide wax on tip and tail, and grip wax (or skin) under foot for uphill grip. This grip zone must NEVER receive glide wax. Skating cross-country ski is waxed like alpine ski over entire length. This complexity explains why many prefer entrusting their Nordic skis to a professional.
> Do competition bases require more waxing?
Yes, significantly more! Competition bases are thinner and more porous to absorb more wax and glide better. They require quasi-daily waxing versus every 5-7 days for leisure skis. This is why competition teams have technicians dedicated to waxing. For leisure use, these bases would be too constraining.
Conclusion: Waxing, small gesture with big effects
Knowing when your skis need waxing ensures optimal gliding days throughout the season. The signs are clear: whitish base, laborious gliding, excessive effort... Don't ignore them!
Regular waxing means:
- 30% more gliding for same effort
- Durable protection of your bases
- Multiplied pleasure on slopes
- Skis lasting additional years
Whether you choose to entrust your skis to our experts or embark on the home waxing adventure, the important thing is never neglecting this essential maintenance. At Sanglard Sports, our expertise and professional equipment guarantee optimal waxing adapted to Chamonix's specific conditions.
Don't wait for your skis to "stick" to act. Regular preventive waxing transforms each outing into pure pleasure moment!
Our waxing offer
Our Chamonix workshop welcomes you:
- Free base diagnosis
- Personalized advice according to your practice
- 30-minute express service
- Advantageous season packages
