ski base issue
January 3, 2011
Hey skinny skiers -
Just picked up a Nordic set from the reply sports shop. I had a fine after noon skiing around a local park. Problem though I was picking up lost of snow when I was in the deep stuff and had to stop and knock it off. Is there a wax I should be using to prevent this as the bases say waxless? I didn't have the issue on thinner stuff and ice. Is this just par for the course? The skis are 210's with NNN bindings and seem in good shape however they are ancient.
Any assistance welcomed!
Common problem
I use maxiglide in the tub. Apply to the kickzone at a minimum or the whole ski if things are really sticky.
Maxiglide It will effect your uphill traction so you will have to herringbone more often.
Swix also has a product but I cannot recall the exact name.
perhaps others could weigh in.
Waxless just means that they don't need kick wax or klister to climb uphill. You still need to wax for glide and to keep snow from sticking to the bottoms. I like Swix F4 paste. Rub it on the entire length of the ski and then buff it out. Also, try to avoid skiing through wet spots. The dry snow will stick to the wet bases pretty easily.
As stated above waxless = no kick wax. all XC skis take glide wax.
Maxiglide works but doesn't last very long. Swix F4 works a little bit better. Zardoz NotWax works great but doesn't last long at all.
There is nothing wrong with your gear, even though you say it's "ancient".
The only thing to do is to put glide wax on the non-fish-scale part (very careful if you use an iron to do this, xc skis heat up fast and delaminate fast too).
Old used dryer sheets work OK for buffing-in non-ironed wax into the fishscales.
If your skis have a square-ish cross-section, you can also wax or use spray-on plastic protectant on the sidewalls.
Last, but not least, be sure to go over your NNN bindings with an eagle eye. Some of the older ones are developing cracks in the plastic (horror pics on request). You can use spray-on plastic protectant on these. (I like 303 protectant but most anything will work).
Enjoy!
PS 210 cm is a bit long for a guy your size. If you find yourself backsliding on uphills, put a backpack on.
Hoorah! Thanks for the guidance! I will be sure to comply.
Just spent my lunch hour skiing around the base golf course! Great fun!
Neck is better. Just cant do any contact sports. In my Doc's opinion downhill skiing is a contact sport.
So it is Nordic this year!
F4 - and similar wax as stated above is "a must".
Be sure to use very little, for two reasons:
a) big waste, big money per pound
b) extra thin layer works BEST
Enjoy!
