What is burnt base / ice burn on skis?
Burning the base on skis can be done in two different ways. The first and most common way is during waxing with an iron in the wrong way so that the base gets too high a temperature and is damaged. The base usually swells up and loses its flat surface, which is noticeable immediately during scraping. If you're lucky, it can be fixed by taking the skis to a shop for stone grinding.
The second way is skiing fast with alpine skis, often on icy surfaces, in long pressing turns, so that the friction heat becomes so high that the base melts. It is the latter we write about on this page.
Experiencing burnt bases on alpine skis is not fun. It easily happens on poorly prepared skis on icy surfaces at high speeds. The friction heat becomes so high that the edges of the base melt from the heat developed in the steel edges at high speed under pressure against the snow. The base material sticks to the snow and disappears, leaving holes in the base at the steel edges. This occurs first in the middle under the boots where the pressure against the slope is greatest.
This is how a burnt base can look. These are pictures of new race skis model year 2020 of the highest quality. The skier is a U14 skier and the discipline is giant slalom. However, a steep slope with high speeds and very icy surface.
What can be done to prevent burnt bases?
Wax with as hard/cold wax as possible, on icy burning surfaces it glides well even if the wax is far below the actual temperature. First, base wax the skis with graphite wax that adheres well to the ski base and in turn holds the green/cold wax well. Wax generously and do not brush out the ski as hard as you usually do. After scraping, you should only get the ski smooth with a little brushing.
This product is very good to use on abrasive surfaces: Swix Polar Powder.
How to repair burnt bases?
Burnt bases as in the pictures above are easily repaired with base material and a steel scraper. See more about it on the various base products you can find on our website.