In brief: Key points of ski maintenance
- Regular waxing: Essential to maintain gliding and protect the base from oxidation.
- Edge sharpening: Guarantees optimal grip on hard snow and ice, precision to the degree.
- Base inspection: Detecting and quickly repairing deep scratches avoids irreversible damage.
- Professional service: £400-800 minimum equipment to do it yourself, versus £40-60 for complete workshop service.
- The verdict: Regular professional maintenance multiplies your skis' lifespan by two and keeps their performance at top level.
Why is maintaining your skis crucial?
Many skiers underestimate the importance of regular maintenance, thinking their skis can "hold up" an entire season without intervention. This is a mistake that can be costly, both in terms of performance and safety on the slopes.
Safety first
Sharp edges ensure better grip on hard or icy snow, considerably reducing fall risks in turns. A well-waxed base maintains controlled and predictable gliding, essential for mastering your trajectory.
Multiplied performance
A properly maintained ski glides up to 30% better than a neglected ski.
This difference is immediately felt: less physical effort, smoother turns, and multiplied pleasure on Chamonix and Argentiere slopes.
Real savings
Better to invest £50 in preventive maintenance than £400 in a new pair of skis due to prolonged neglect.
Regular maintenance prevents premature wear and irreversible damage, extending your equipment's lifespan by several seasons.
Waxing: The foundation of successful maintenance
What is waxing and why is it essential?
Waxing involves applying special wax to your skis' base. This ski maintenance step fulfills two essential functions:
- It nourishes the base by penetrating the polyethylene material, preventing its drying out,
- It creates a smooth surface that optimizes gliding by reducing friction with snow.
Waxing frequency depends on your practice:
- Occasional skier (1-7 days/year): 1x at season start
- Regular skier (8-20 days/year): Every 5-7 days
- Enthusiast skier (20-40 days/year): Every 3-5 days
- Intensive skier (40+ days/year): After each outing
It's important to regularly monitor base condition: if it becomes dry, whitish, or presents dull zones, this means it's time to wax again to avoid gliding loss and protect the ski.
Why favor professional waxing?
Hot waxing requires specific equipment and real technique. To do it correctly at home, you'll need to invest in a waxing iron (never a household iron!), different wax types according to temperatures, a plexiglass scraper, nylon and horsehair brushes... The initial investment is between £100 and £200 minimum, and this doesn't guarantee optimal results without adequate training.
At Sanglard Sports, our technicians select wax adapted to Chamonix valley's specific conditions, apply the ideal temperature for each wax type, and perfectly master penetration and cooling times. The result? Optimal gliding lasting longer than home waxing.
Edge sharpening: Precision makes the difference
The crucial role of edges
Metal edges play a fundamental role in your ability to direct and control your trajectories. They bite into snow during turns, allowing you to carve your curves with precision. On hard or icy snow, well-sharpened edges literally make the difference between total control and dangerous loss of grip.
The nail test: Gently run your nail perpendicularly on the edge. If the nail slides without catching, your edges need sharpening. A well-maintained edge should slightly "bite" the nail. Warning, well-sharpened edges cut, handle with care!
Wintersteiger Jupiter technology: Unmatched precision
Edge sharpening is the most technical operation and where professional service makes the biggest difference. Our workshops are equipped with the Wintersteiger Jupiter robot, a cutting-edge technology that guarantees:
- Maximum precision: Sharpening to the degree, impossible to obtain manually
- Perfect consistency: Constant results over entire edge length
- Optimal flatness: Machine corrects invisible micro-deformations
- Personalized angle: From 88-89 degrees for beginners to 87 degrees and less for competitors
Sharpening edges yourself? It's technically possible, but the risk is high. A poorly sharpened edge can create parasitic grip points that dangerously disrupt ski handling. Investment in a quality sharpening guide and adapted files represents £150 to £300 additional, without result guarantee. A wrong angle or irregularity can permanently modify your skis' behavior.
Base inspection and repair
Recognize different damage types
Three types of scratches must be distinguished:
- Superficial scratches: Fine white lines, fill with good waxing
- Medium scratches: Slightly catch the nail, require P-Tex repair
- Deep scratches: Reveal ski core, require urgent professional intervention
Unrepaired stone impacts and cavities allow water to infiltrate the core and cause irreversible damage through freeze-thaw effect.
Our professional repair service
For superficial scratches, simple waxing will suffice.
For medium to severe damage, our workshop has machines allowing invisible and durable repairs.
We also perform base structuring, meaning creation of micro-grooves that optimize water evacuation and significantly improve gliding.
Base repair rate: From £50 depending on damage extent
Home P-Tex repair exists, but requires practice to obtain correct results. A poorly done filling can create friction zones that slow the ski or detach quickly.
Storage: Protect your skis in off-season
Essential storage steps
Ski season's end requires special attention to preserve your skis during long summer months:
- Complete cleaning: Eliminate all traces of dirt, salt, or residues
- Meticulous inspection: Spot damage to repair
- Thick storage waxing: Without scraping excess (anti-oxidation protection)
- Loosening bindings: To preserve springs
- Adapted storage: Dry, cool place, away from light
Ideal storage conditions
Lay your skis flat or lean them vertically against a wall, bases facing each other if possible. Avoid humid cellars that favor edge oxidation, and overheated attics where glues can degrade. Don't tighten skis together excessively, a simple link without excessive tightening suffices.
Our professional storage service: Leaving for several months and don't have adapted storage space? Ask us about our conditions for storing your equipment in our professional premises.
Our Sanglard Sports maintenance offer
Professional maintenance with cutting-edge equipment
Our services include:
- Complete diagnosis of your skis' condition
- Base repair: P-Tex filling, restructuring if necessary
- Edge sharpening: Personalized angle according to your level
- Adapted waxing: Wax choice according to conditions and your practice
- Binding check: Safety verified by our certified technicians
Indicative rates:
- Complete service (sharpening + waxing): £50
- Base repair: From £15
- Waxing only: £20
- Season package: Preferential conditions for regular skiers
Express service available: Don't lose a ski day, drop off your skis in the evening, pick them up the next morning!
Comparative table: DIY vs professional service
| Aspect | Home maintenance | Sanglard Sports professional service |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment | £400-800 (complete equipment) | None |
| Cost per maintenance | "Free" after amortization | £25-50 |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours (learning + execution) | 30 min (drop-off + pick-up) |
| Equipment | Iron, waxes, scrapers, brushes, guides... | Wintersteiger Jupiter robot |
| Result quality | Variable, long learning curve | Constant professional guarantee |
| Edge sharpening | High risk of errors and damage | Machine precision to the degree |
| Diagnosis | Limited to naked eye | Complete technical expertise |
| Profitability | Only if 40+ ski days/year | For all skier profiles |
| Ideal for | Very intensive skiers and DIYers | All skiers wanting optimal results |
Common errors that damage your skis
Even with the best intentions, certain errors can seriously damage your equipment:
Storing wet skis: Trapped humidity favors edge oxidation and creates rust that degrades metal. Always take time to properly dry your skis after a day on slopes.
Leaving skis in full sun: UV and heat degrade glues that hold different ski layers together and can cause premature delamination.
Neglecting daily cleaning: Salt and chemical residues used on roads or in resorts corrode equipment. A simple damp cloth pass takes two minutes and considerably extends your skis' life.
Attempting hasty repairs: Hot glue on base, unsuitable file on edges, household iron instead of waxing iron... These makeshift solutions generally cause more damage than they resolve.
Warning: Never ski on partially snow-covered roads! This practice instantly destroys all maintenance work and can ruin your bases and edges in a few meters.
FAQ: Your questions about ski maintenance
> Why entrust maintenance to a professional rather than doing it yourself?
The initial investment to equip yourself properly (£400-800 minimum) is only profitable for very regular skiers practicing 40 days or more per year. Professionals have precision machines like our Wintersteiger Jupiter robot, impossible to acquire for an individual. Moreover, their expertise guarantees detecting problems invisible to the untrained eye like a misadjusted binding or inappropriate edge angle. For 1-2 weeks of skiing per year, professional service remains more economical and guarantees optimal results.
> How often should I have my skis maintained?
It depends on your practice. An occasional skier (less than 10 days/season) should do a complete service at season start and another at season end for storage. Regular skiers (8-20 days/year) will benefit from 2 to 3 services per season. Enthusiasts (20-40 days/year) should come 3 to 4 times. If your base becomes whitish or edges no longer bite, don't wait for the next scheduled service.
> Can I damage my skis by maintaining them myself?
Yes, absolutely. Common errors include overheating during waxing that can cause base delamination, incorrect sharpening angle that permanently modifies ski behavior, or excessive sanding that prematurely wears equipment. Without adequate training and professional equipment, the risk of permanently damaging your skis is real and can cost you much more than professional service.
> What annual budget should I plan for professional maintenance?
For professional maintenance at Sanglard Sports, count £40-80/year for an occasional skier (1-2 services), £80-150/year for a regular practitioner (2-3 services), and £160-300/year for an enthusiast (4-6 services). Our season maintenance packages include several services and allow saving up to 30% compared to individual services. Regular maintenance avoids costly major repairs and extends your equipment's life.
> Do new skis require maintenance before first use?
No, new skis are delivered factory-waxed and ready to use. This wax remains effective even 6 months after purchase if skis are well stored. Only competitors systematically prepare their new skis with specific waxing adapted to exact race conditions. For leisure use, you can ski directly after removing technical stickers under skis.
> How do I store my skis at season's end?
Proper storage is essential. Completely clean your skis, apply a thick layer of wax without scraping (anti-oxidation protection), and imperatively loosen bindings to preserve springs. Store your skis tied together, in a dry and cool place, away from direct light. Avoid humid cellars and overheated attics. Our professional storage service allows storing your skis in a dry and temperate environment, ideal for protecting base, edges, and bindings during summer.
> Is maintenance necessary during a week's vacation?
Yes, if you ski intensively every day on hard snow, mid-week sharpening may be necessary to regain optimal grip. Likewise, if conditions change drastically (transition from cold to spring snow), new waxing will optimize your performance. Our express service allows picking up your skis fully prepared the next morning without losing a day on slopes.
Conclusion: The peace of mind of professional service
Ski maintenance shouldn't be a source of stress or worry. Entrusting your equipment to Sanglard Sports experts is the guarantee of impeccable work done with the best available technologies. Our Wintersteiger Jupiter robot and our certified technicians' expertise ensure you perfectly prepared skis for each outing.
For the price of professional service (£50), you avoid an initial investment of several hundred pounds in equipment, hours of learning and practice, and especially the risk of permanently damaging your equipment through lack of experience. You also benefit from our complete diagnosis that can reveal problems invisible to the untrained eye.
Well-maintained skis by professionals are the guarantee of preserved sensations, maximum safety, and equipment that will accompany you for many seasons on Chamonix and Argentiere slopes.
