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Wax cross-country skis with jar wax

Waxing doesn't have to be complicated if you know the right techniques! This guide is intended to help those who want to learn the basics of waxing to achieve the best possible grip. Let's start with the first step: Working with the skis' grip zone. When you buy skis, most sports stores usually mark the grip zone for you. If you're unsure where your grip zone is, we recommend visiting a sports store to have it properly measured. The grip zone is located right under the skis, but exactly how far you should wax from the middle depends on the ski's camber and your own weight. Once you have a rough idea of where your grip zone is, you're ready to get started:

Cleaning - We start by preparing the grip zone

  1. Scrape off the old kick wax with a scraper and a groove scraper. There are special scrapers for grip wax that we recommend. Then apply Wax Remover, making sure it doesn't end up on the glide surfaces. Wait for 30 seconds. Wax Remover dissolves any remaining wax. Now you can wipe off the grip zone with Fiberlene. For sticky waxes, it is advantageous to use a fibertex cloth first. Then let the ski rest for 10 minutes so that all the wax remover evaporates.

    Cleaning the grip zone from kick wax:

 

Kick Waxing

  1. Use sandpaper (grit P80 - P120) on the ski's grip zone to roughen the surface. This helps the wax adhere better to the base.


  2. Always use a base wax at the bottom for good durability. One layer depending on the snow type.

  3. Heat in the base wax with a well-cleaned waxing iron set to 100 degrees. Let it cool for a minute and smooth out with a synthetic cork. If you don't have an iron, the alternative is to cork in the base wax thoroughly, so that friction heat arises.


  4. Apply grip wax for today's conditions. Choose based on temperature and snow type.
    Apply 4-6 thin and even layers on the ski's grip zone. Prefer more thin layers than few thick layers. You can thin out the last layers at the ends and apply only in the middle. Use a synthetic cork between layers.
     

 

Below you can see Gunde Svan's tips, in collaboration with Swix, on how to apply grip wax. 

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