The Art of Ski Maintenance and the Unconventional Use of Paraffin 06 April 2024

As the ski season comes to an end, it’s time to start caring for our winter gear. It’s also a time to reminisce about when a simple candle played a crucial role in ensuring smooth descents.

Today, the market offers a wide range of specialized products designed to maintain skis in top condition. These modern waxes are precisely tailored to different weather conditions, skill levels, and skiers’ needs. Few realize that paraffin remains the essence of all these products.

The main function of paraffin is to minimize friction between the ski surface and the slope. By penetrating into the crevices, it creates a layer separating these two surfaces. The melting temperature is a crucial element achieved through appropriate refinement processes, and the obtained paraffins with specific melting temperatures are marked with colored dyes.

A wide range of available waxes (considering application method, state, composition, and purpose) allows for individual adjustment of winter equipment care to the conditions on the slope. For those who want to enjoy their gear for many seasons, proper maintenance, especially at the end of the season, is crucial.

Regular servicing and coating the skis with paraffin wax bring numerous benefits. For beginners, it means smoother rides without the risk of skis stopping on wet snow. Experienced athletes, on the other hand, derive more joy from “carving” full turns without losing speed. Most importantly, all winter sports enthusiasts, thanks to proper maintenance of their skis, will be able to enjoy them for a long time.

Paraffin once again proves that despite the passage of time and the dynamic development of industry, traditions that were once proven remain with us. What was once commonly used for maintenance – paraffin in the form of a simple candle – still plays a crucial role as the basis of specialized preparations used for ski waxing.