#Nordic skiing and #waxing the kick pocket, of a classic ski.

During the last 2 classes we began to try and understand waxing.


Help what wax should I use, is always a question skiers ask one another. Flouro carbons, or hydro carbon kick waxes will be a decision you need to make. Dollars speak a lot in this area.

First you need to know the wax pocket, that has been suggested by those before you, from the factory, or if it was bought new from the store. We are assuming that the skis are a double cambered ski. Too stiff a ski and you will not be able to use the wax for grip, and too soft a ski it will drag and you will lose your wax.

Clean the wax pocket if needed. Adjust the wax pocket if wax is wearing off in the front or rear of the wax pocket. You will likely need to shorten the wax pocket, a couple inches forward ahead of the heel plate.
After using some sand paper in the wax pocket and cleaning it, its time to wax for the snow conditions.

What are some of the factors that will influence your choice of wax? Temperature, humidity, sun, cloud, wind, how old the snow is, hilliness of terrain, firmness of track, how skied in are the tracks, thickness of wax still on, length of ski, stiffness of ski, are just a few factors that you need to take into account.

Now lets check your wax after skiing for a km or so. Put all your weight on one ski without moving the ski and lift it up. You will see the snow sticking under the foot of the ski. Now take your gloved finger and try to brush the snow off. If it comes off too easy, then you either need a warmer wax, or another layer of the wax you just used. If you really need to brush the snow off hard, then  clean the snow off and put a slightly colder wax over top.

When applying wax you need to put the wax on in thin layers with no chunks or blobs. Now take your synthetic cork and cork it smooth. Nice long strong smooth strokes works well. Natural cork goes with natural wood by the way. You will likely get some wax in the groove and so smooth that out. Bring the wax from under the heel back into the wax pocket with your cork.
Make sure that there are no lumps or wavy wax under the kick area.

Yourself, significant other, friend or coach will need to learn your waxing preference. Some skiers like slightly slippery skis and some like a lot of grip.
Experiment as to how you like your grip.

Now get out there and have an awesome ski and be sure to have FUN!