[Quick Tip] Wax your snowboard effortlessly—master it in just 2 minutes!

You will need

Wax

The waxed workbench

Industrial alcohol

Scraper

You will need

Regulator

Waxing iron

Drop cloth, paper towels, or newspaper

Cleaning agent

Step 1: Choose the wax

Choose the right wax. You can select a wax tailored to a specific temperature that matches the weather conditions in your skiing area, or go for a versatile all-purpose wax designed for broader conditions. If you don’t care about your snowboard’s speed—or if you’re unfamiliar with the current weather—you’ll find the all-purpose wax to be an excellent choice.

Step 2: Adjust the skis

Choose a stable surface to adjust your skis, such as a workbench or a pair of sawhorses. Make sure your adjustment tools are securely anchored to the workspace and positioned just outside the ski bindings—this way, your skis will remain steady even while you’re making adjustments. Then, attach your skis firmly to the adjusters, ensuring that the base of the ski, which will be in contact with the snow, faces upward.

Step 3: Set up the workspace

Place your waxed iron near the skis and set the temperature according to your wax type. Then, lay down a drop cloth, paper, or newspaper on your work area to protect the floor from getting waxed.

Tip

If you're using a specific type of wax, check the packaging instructions for the exact temperature to set your iron. If you're using all-purpose wax, set the iron to medium heat—around 230°F.

Step 4: Clean the Base

Wipe the base with a bottom cleaner and a paper towel. Then, use rubbing alcohol and a towel to clean the skis thoroughly, removing any remaining cleaner.

Step 5: Melt the wax

Place the iron vertically on the base, then apply a layer of wax onto the iron, allowing it to melt and drip onto your base—making sure the melted wax evenly covers the entire length of your ski.

Tip

Dropping too much wax onto the base means you’ll later have to scrape off the excess—so apply wax every 2 inches instead.

Step 6: Iron the wax

Place the iron on the base, then start moving it from the tip toward the tail. Repeat this process until the wax is completely melted and evenly distributed across the entire base. Make sure to keep the iron in motion at all times—leaving it stationary for too long could damage the material of your ski base.

Step 7: Dry thoroughly

Let the wax dry, cool down the skis, and allow the wax to soak into the base. For most waxes, about an hour is sufficient, but it’s best to leave it overnight.

Step 8: Scrape the ski board

After drying, firmly scrape off the excess wax from the wooden board, starting from the tip and pushing the scraper forcefully toward the tail of the ski. Continue scraping along the length of the ski until no more wax can be removed. Finally, wipe the ski clean with a towel.

Step 9: Wax the skis

Use the same steps you follow when scratching your ski board—brush it thoroughly from start to finish several times—until you can see shallow grooves on the bottom of the ski. This will help the ski glide more smoothly, preventing snow from sticking to its surface. Now you’re ready to hit the slopes!

Did you know?

Regular waxing not only makes your skis glide smoothly and swiftly, but it also protects the base and extends the lifespan of your skis.