When you finally admit that winter is over, it’s easy to ignore your cross country skis as they become a depressing reminder of how long you’ll have to wait to glide along your favorite trails.
But how you treat your skis at the end of the season will make all the difference when you go to use them again next year. To have a great start to next season, here are our best tips for storing your cross country skis:
- Free the ski of all dirt
Use a copper (or brass) brush to remove old wax and dirt. Work from tip to tail and complete a couple passes. - Apply wax
Next, apply a mid-to soft wax to your skis. We like to use Toko Red, Swix CH7 or CH8. These waxes are relatively warm and do a good job of penetrating the structure of the ski. The warmest waxes tend to break up or almost “evaporate.” - Iron it on
The final step is to iron on the wax and let it sit. Do not scrape off the wax. This thick layer keeps your skis from being degraded by dirt or other impurities during storage. - Choose a place to store your skis
Choosing the right place to store your skis for the summer is an important step that you shouldn’t overlook. Changing temperatures and humidity that will affect your skis. Garages, attics, or basements can be risky. Choose somewhere that’s comfortable and somewhat temperature controlled. A closet in the house might be the best option.
Not everyone has access to wax, brushes and an iron. If you don’t have access to the necessary tools, don’t let it stop you from properly storing your skis for summer. Having your skis waxed at a trusted shop is a quick and inexpensive process.