Look to the Forecast… But Know the Snow You’re On!
* i GUESS THE PURPOSE OF THIS “BLOG” IS TO CORRELATE IT’S TECHNICAL MEANING TO THE COMMON SKIER/BOARDER… TO PUT IT IN LANGUAGE WE ALL DIG. i APOLOGIZE IF IT’S NOT “TECH-SPECIFIC” FOR SOME, BUT HOPE IT PROVIDES EXPLANATION FOR OTHERS.
With tuning its interesting that we’re constantly looking to the future! Yup, always checking on the forecast and trying to prescribe the best wax application in order to ensure us the best day on slope. I know, some people will say, “I never wax, it’s a waste of time”, or “I’ve ridden my skis/board straight out of the wrapper for the last two months”! Both are more than legit opinions, and honestly, no one knows how you like to ride your gear more than you. I mean you’re the one standing on it, right-?
Where it is a fact, that proper application of the correct temperature specific wax will reduce friction and drag on the base of your skis/board, and promote glide characteristics, only you can determine what type of performance you want your gear to achieve. Again, this being said, I hope only to convince you to take a bit of time to wax your skis/board for no other reason than “protection”! My point of looking to forecast is that it can be a drag, especially if you don’t see snow in it. More importantly, get to know the snow that you’re on or going to be riding. See, you can get away with not waxing, or not waxing regularly – if you have decent structure in your gear and, again, if that’s what you’re into. The problem here is that the snow that we ride upon is made up of crystals, and those crystals tear away at the base of your gear, ripping away what wax you do have in your base and even some of the base material itself! (This has nothing to do with the numerous contaminants that lie within the snow.)
The snow is your buddy, but let’s paint it this way: Almost every time you head out on it, it’s taking away something from your skis/board. Pretty crappy. You like your gear, you don’t want to see this happen to it… This is where wax enters the equation. Wax is the only material that you can “invest” into your skis/board (-other than p-tex, but that’s a whole other animal.) By waxing your gear, or bringing it to a tech. to do so, you’re not only improving the glide ratio, but you’re also investing into the base a protective measure.
You could look at the base of your skis/board as your skin. It’s not healthy for your body if your skin gets burnt-? The epidermal tissue usually dies and falls away. Sounds bad. Well, your base material does the same when it is “burnt” (look for oxidation or “whitening” on heavy contact points, ie: “under foot”) by the massive friction it creates with the snow crystals… Except when it “falls away”, it doesn’t rejuvenate like your skin! Protect that base! ”Moisturize” it, wax it! If not for performance then for protection. You like your gear. Treat it right, and it’ll treat you right. Look out for each other.
Point being: Yup it’s a drag always “looking to the future” or planning ahead, but addressing the snow that is already out there can sometimes be even more critical to the preservation and performance of your gear. Take a moment, maybe you have a “soda” and give a little something back to your gear. It’ll reward you in the long run. Oh, and pray for more snow!