Ski Waxing in the Himalayan way: A Practical Approach

In India, access to specialized ski waxing tools and materials is extremely limited. However, with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can still wax your skis effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide tailored to the Indian

1. Finding Wax

Use any glide wax you can find. This could be a brand like Swix or even unbranded wax.

If ski wax is unavailable, a simple candle works surprisingly well as a substitute.

2. Heating Device

Forget specialized ski irons—most of us don’t have access to them. Use any small portable iron that is wide enough to cover the base of your ski.

Temperature tip: Heat the iron just enough to melt the wax. A simple test: touch the wax to the iron; it should melt but not smoke or burn. Anything hotter is unnecessary.

3. Applying the Wax

Melt the wax or candle by touching it to the iron, letting it drip evenly across your ski base.

Aim for drops every few inches along the base to ensure even coverage.

4. Spreading the Wax

Use the iron to spread the wax, much like ironing clothes. Start at the tip of the ski and move towards the tail in smooth, consistent strokes.

Don’t rush—make sure the wax spreads evenly, forming a clear, thin layer across the ski base.

5. Cooling Time

Let the wax cool and set on the ski for some time before moving to the next step. There’s no need to rush into scraping it off immediately.

6. Scraping the Wax

Use a scraper (a simple plastic or metal scraper works) and hold it at a 45-degree angle.

Scrape the wax from tip to tail in smooth, long strides. It’s okay if you can’t do the full length in one motion—just ensure you maintain the tip-to-tail direction throughout.

Avoid moving the scraper in the opposite direction, as it can damage the base.

7. Final Touches

After scraping, you can skip the brushing step if you don’t have brushes—your skis will still perform well on the slopes.

Inspect the base to ensure it looks smooth and ready to glide.

A Few Tips

Waxing is less about perfection and more about keeping your skis protected and functional.

Don’t stress over missing professional tools—improvisation works just fine for Indian conditions.

Take your time—rushing the scraping process often leaves uneven patches of wax that can affect your ski’s performance.

Avoid using the main edge of the scraper to clean the ski’s edges. Instead, use the side edges of the scraper to remove wax buildup along the metal edges. This prevents grooves or damage to the scraper’s primary surface, which is crucial for an even scrape in the future.

Cleaning Before waxing.. use warm moist micro fibre cloth to clean runner before waxing

Waxing is a skill that gets better with time. If your first few attempts aren’t perfect, don’t worry—your skis will still perform better than without waxing!