Purchasing a waxing iron can be one of the best investments you can make for your skiing. Not only will you glide fast and hike less, but you will be taking care of your skis. I have been waxing and tuning my skis since I was 10 years old. Here is a quick tutorial:

Ski Waxing Tutorial By Grete:

What you need: skis, waxing iron, ski wax and a scraper.

1. Buy a Waxing Iron

2. Buy Wax (Waxes are different for different temperatures of snow).

3. Buy Scraper

4. Find a space at home, preferably outside where you do not mind dripping wax onto the floor. You also need a space that has proper air-flow so you do not get sick from the waxing-fumes. (Suggested Locations: garage, patio, laundry room, furnace room, work-shop, etc.).

5. Plug iron into the wall and let the iron warm-up (approx. 5 min.). Pick up the iron and wax when green light appears. That means the iron is ready.

6. Press wax against the iron and drip 1-2 drops of wax on the ski every inch.

7. After covering the base of the ski with wax dots, iron the ski from top to bottom in one smooth movement so you do not back track and make the base too hot and cause damage to your ski bases.

8. Once you have covered the entire ski base with wax. Allow wax to sit for 2+ hrs. The more time you let the wax sit the better.

9. Scraper the wax off the skis from top to bottom. (If you find this process hard to do without a ski vice, you may want to consider purchasing a ski vice. This will hold the ski position and make the entire process of scraping and waxing much easier).

10. GO SKIING!