Grip only where it is needed
On waxable classic skis, hard wax or klister goes in the grip zone underfoot.
Vallaboden - cross-country skis
Wax cross-country skis - guides for grip, glide and ski care
Whether you ski classic, skate or on skin skis, here you will find practical guides for better grip, better glide and skis that last longer.
Three simple principles
The essentials first
Waxing does not need to be complicated. Understand the ski's zones, choose the right method and care for the base regularly.
Glide on the right surfaces
Wax the glide zones on classic skis; skating skis should glide along the entire base.
A little care goes a long way
Regular cleaning, glide waxing and brushing make skiing more enjoyable and help your skis last longer.
Find your starting point
What type of cross-country skis do you have?
Different skis need different care. Choose your ski type and we will guide you to the right part of Vallaboden.
Classic
Skin skis
Wax the glide zones and keep the skin clean and treated for consistent grip and good glide.
GlideSkinGlide
Classic
Waxable skis
The right hard wax or klister in the grip zone gives reliable grip without slowing your glide.
GlideGripGlide
Skating
Skating skis
The whole base is a glide surface. Focus on cleaning, glide wax, scraping, brushing and structure.
Glide along the whole base
Shortcuts
What would you like to improve?
Go straight to the topic you need help with now.
Grip
I want better grip
Hard wax, klister, conditions around freezing and wax charts.
GlideI want better glide
Glide wax, race preparation and structure.
Ski careI want to care for the base
Cleaning, base preparation and storage.
ToolsI need the right equipment
Waxing workspace, waxing irons and ski brushes.
Start here
Four useful guides to get started
Start with your ski type, understand the snow, build good working habits and find out which equipment you actually need.
01Beginner
Different types of cross-country skis
The differences between skin skis, waxable classic skis and skating skis, and which parts need waxing on each type.
Read the guide 02Snow and conditionsSnow types and wax selection
Learn to assess fresh, fine-grained, coarse-grained, artificial and wet snow before choosing wax.
Read the guide 03Working habits12 general waxing tips
Work cleanly, assess the snow, use your iron and brushes correctly, and keep a waxing log to improve over time.
Read the guide 04EquipmentWaxing equipment for cross-country skis
A practical overview of waxing irons, scrapers, brushes, ski vises and what you actually need.
Read the guideAll cross-country guides
Explore by topic
Find all 20 cross-country guides here, including those featured further up the page. Choose a topic or browse the full library.
Basics
Ski types, snow knowledge and working habits that make the rest of Vallaboden easier to use.
Beginner
Different types of cross-country skis
The difference between skin skis, waxable classic skis and skate skis - and what needs to be waxed on each type.
Snow and conditions
Different snow types and wax selection
Learn to read fresh snow, fine-grained, coarse-grained, man-made and wet snow before choosing wax.
Basic principles
12 general tips for better waxing
Work sequence, thin layers, waxing iron, snow assessment and the wax logbook - advice you will benefit from for almost every waxing session.
Grip wax
Hard wax for finer snow, klister for coarse and transformed snow, and help with tricky conditions around freezing.
Hardwax
Grip waxing with hardwax
How to clean, roughen, prime and build up an even and durable grip in several thin layers.
Difficult conditions
Hardwax around zero
Read the snow, reduce the risk of icing, and fine-tune the grip when temperature and precipitation change quickly.
Klister
Grip waxing with klister
Choose the right klister, find the klister zone, and build a thin, durable grip for coarse, transformed, and wet snow.
Wax chart
SkiGo grip wax chart
Clickable temperature chart with SkiGo's recommendations for fresh snow as well as coarse snow and crust.
Glide wax and structure
From simple everyday waxing to race waxing, brushing and hand-applied structure.
Glide wax
Glide wax for cross-country skis
Choose between quick liquid waxing, durable hot waxing, and more meticulous race preparation.
Race glide
Race glide with Start
A product-specific guide to Start's fluorine-free RG Race, RG Ultra, specialty products, and finishers.
Structure
Rilling cross-country skis
Understand stone grinding, rolled hand structure, patterns, pressure, and systematic testing for different conditions.
Ski care and bases
Cleaning, base preparation, the start of the season, summer storage and fluorine-free ski care.
New skis
Base preparation for new cross-country skis
Give new or newly stone-ground bases a clean, even, and durable start without doing more steps than the ski needs.
Cleaning
Cleaning cross-country skis
Use the right method for glide zones, grip wax, klister, and skins without moving dirt between the ski's zones.
Before the season
Preparing cross-country skis for winter
Remove storage wax, assess the base, and get the ski pair ready for the first outing without unnecessary wet cleaning.
After the season
Summer storage for cross-country skis
Remove grip wax and dirt, clean the skins, and leave a protective wax layer on the glide zones.
Fluorine cleaning
Cleaning fluorine from skis and equipment
Clean skis, brushes, waxing irons, and the work area in the right order, and avoid re-contaminating clean skis.
Waxing equipment
Set up a practical waxing space and choose irons, scrapers and brushes to suit how you wax.
Basic equipment
Waxing equipment for cross-country skis
A practical guide to waxing profiles, irons, scrapers, brushes, cleaning, and a smart purchase order.
Waxing irons
Choosing the right waxing iron
Compare temperature stability, sole plate, power, and analog and digital models for different levels of ambition.
Brushes
Guide to hand brushes and roto brushes
Learn when steel, bronze, horsehair, nylon, fleece, and roto brushes are used in the workflow.
In-depth guides and updates
A glossary, race preparation and other material to complement the practical guides.
From guide to waxing bench
Find the right products for your next wax
Choose grip wax, glide wax or waxing equipment directly. Contact us for advice suited to your skis, your goals and the current conditions.