Thread: Waxing for hut trips and skin glue

I am going on a week long hut trip where we will not have access to a waxing iron. How do people keep their skis waxed in such situations? I tried cold waxing with swix CH, a cork, and a scraper but that is a PIA and doesn't last very long. I have stayed away from Swix F4 paste wax because I heard it can degrade skin glue, but someone at BD said that wasn't a problem (although it wouldn't stick as well, it wouldn't degrade the glue), so I am thinking of trying the F4. I have DPS skis so I do need to wax more often than other skis. What do other maggots do in similar situations?

I don't wax for week long hut trips. Hell I don't wax for two - three months at a time on my touring gear. Amazingly the skis seem to still function. Didn't know DPS skis needed more wax.

I've used fluoro waxes, including F4, on my touring skis for years without seeming to degrade the glue.

I usually wax every 3 to 4 ski days...with that said:

What do other maggots do in similar situations?

Absolutely fuck all. Waste of time on multi days really.

Thanks, Greg.

LL, we had a situation the other day where everyone's bases were icing up, except the guy who had waxed the night before. Maybe that it is more of a worry with a Tahoe snowpack. DPS bases have rep for needing waxing more often, which I found to be true, and skin glue seems to suck wax out of bases faster than if I don't use skins.

I just wax on the colder side of what I think the temp will be

I haven't noticed DPS bases oxidizing or needing wax but I did a bunch of waxing early season just heat and let cool a bunch of times without scraping

rub on wax and leave skis near woodstove? Its worked for me before.

If you take up weed space in your pack for wax, you are doing it wrong. If it's really a concern, just put a hard, all temp wax on and only lightly scrape-no brushing or buffing.

or if you really need to wax use a thick bottomed pot as an iron.

Originally Posted by harpo-the-skier

Thanks, Greg.

LL, we had a situation the other day where everyone's bases were icing up, except the guy who had waxed the night before. Maybe that it is more of a worry with a Tahoe snowpack. DPS bases have rep for needing waxing more often, which I found to be true, and skin glue seems to suck wax out of bases faster than if I don't use skins.

Honestly it won't matter unless its warm spring conditions. Selkirks snow is lower water content so should be fine. Hot wax the bases to start and don't worry about it for the week. I've gone two weeks continuous (longest backcountry trip ) without and it was ok but it was usually colder temps

Your DPS skis are obviously defective. Send them to me immediately.

Originally Posted by Moose Pit

or if you really need to wax use a thick bottomed pot as an iron.

Good idea. Knew a XCD skier who carried a small propane fired waxing tool. It was small, light, rechargeable and worked great with the flame heating a metal block.

That said what has worked for us in the past is to wax the entire ski in blue for say fresh snow at low temps. Lasted skiing for 12 days.

Originally Posted by harpo-the-skier

Thanks, Greg.

LL, we had a situation the other day where everyone's bases were icing up, except the guy who had waxed the night before. Maybe that it is more of a worry with a Tahoe snowpack. DPS bases have rep for needing waxing more often, which I found to be true, and skin glue seems to suck wax out of bases faster than if I don't use skins.

Zardoz Not-Wax is quick and easy for dealing with the problems of spring snow. It doesn't last that long, but is easy to reapply. I've never noticed any effect on skin glue from it.

http://www.amazon.com/Zardoz-Ski-Wax...3119079&sr=8-1

I always find it ironic and humorous when BC skiers think wax is unnecessary. Especially when there is so much expense and effort put into the endeavor and to save ounces and grams in the interest of efficiency, not to mention fun.

I demoed a couple pairs of poorly maintained skis from a cat company which definitely affect the feel and turn in cold powder. The glide was horrible (like sandpaper) on the flats and required lots of poling and skating in areas where with good wax, the glide would be effortless.

As mentioned, I'd be sure to make sure your bases are well prepared before the trip with penetrating and saturating prep wax, followed by a very durable universal. You may need nothing more if the quality is good. You can then simply bring some LF paste or rub-on wax as back up or conditions get wetter. It's also good on skins to reduce icing and improves skin glide and does not affect the glue AFAIK.

Originally Posted by bbense

Zardoz Not-Wax is quick and easy for dealing with the problems of spring snow. It doesn't last that long, but is easy to reapply. I've never noticed any effect on skin glue from it.

http://www.amazon.com/Zardoz-Ski-Wax...3119079&sr=8-1

Zardoz = Shit if the snow is dry. Avoid unless wet snow.
Liquid Teflon probably not good for skin glue.

Just use a good Low Fluoro All Conditions wax before the trip and leave it be.

DPS skis don't need to be waxed more often- but they do drink a bit more wax than other skis during the waxing process. I hit mine up with 2 cycles of hydro and then 1 LF earlier in the season and 20+ ski days later they are still gliding better than anyone else I ski with. Those black shiny bases are so freakin' fast.

Interestingly, the Colltex skins I got this year did come with a warning not to use fluoro waxes, but that glue is so damn strong breaking it down a bit would be a good thing.

if you're going to Carlyle, they have a maintenance shed that they'll let you use if need be.

I hot wax my skis with a tough universal wax on the eve of a hut trip. (I also rub in some glide wax on my skins and iron.)

ETA: Terry, a couple months ago you mentioned a very tough inexpensive universal wax. I can't find your post. What was that? Some Birko-Maplus wax?

Originally Posted by Big Steve

I hot wax my skis with a tough universal wax on the eve of a hut trip. (I also rub in some glide wax on my skins and iron.)

ETA: Terry, a couple months ago you mentioned a very tough inexpensive universal wax. I can't find your post. What was that? Some Birko-Maplus wax?

The Briko-Maplus Universal (red) is moderately durable and has a broad range. The Briko-Maplus Race base Medium (purple) is super durable with a very broad performance range and probably at least twice as long as other universals and typical hydrocarbons. I use it in the spring with coarser structure and overlay with LF for the moisture. You could easily get more than 50,000 vertical feet of powder turns without needing to reapply (if coupled with saturation and prep steps, along with prior waxings). Coarser snows= more frequent applications for any wax.

I usually carry a little cold wax and a little warm wax (like 1 square inch). I have only waxed in a cabin once and it was after a 15C swing in temperature. Watch the weather, wax universal before you go and bring a little wax if there is the possibility of a temp swing. In the spring usually on the warm wax comes with (if I remember to take out the cold wax).

I just did a week long hut trip without waxing during the trip, no problems at all. I put on a good coat of Swix LF6 right before the trip, I find this wax is a very good "universal" wax - its hard enough for colder snow and the flouro content gives good glide on wet snow. Remember that on a week long hut trip you're only going to put as much mileage on the waxed base as you would in one or two days of resort skiing. If you're really concerned about super wet sticky snow the liquid rub on Toko wax works pretty well.

You make wax sound more important than it is. Wax before you go if your really worried and forget about it. Your on a hut trip not on the world race circuit.

If you're that much of a pussy just don't go. Otherwise, quit being a pussy.