How to Wax Skis and Snowboards for Maximum Performance
Quick answer: To wax skis or a snowboard: (1) clean the base, (2) heat a waxing iron to the temperature on your wax, (3) drip wax along the base, (4) iron it in with steady passes without stopping in one spot, (5) let it cool fully, ideally 30+ minutes, (6) scrape with a plastic scraper until no wax sits on top, and (7) brush tip to tail until the base looks glossy.
How often: recreational riders every 4–6 days on snow or when bases look dry and white; racers and frequent riders before most days.
Waxing your skis or snowboard regularly lets you ride faster, makes turning and handling smoother and more predictable, and protects your bases from scuffs and abrasion. Reuben from the Next Adventure tune shop shows you how to wax from start to finish.
What you need
- Ski or snowboard wax (all-temperature if you're unsure)
- A waxing iron (a clothes iron works in a pinch, but it holds temperature poorly)
- A sharp plastic scraper, never metal
- A horsehair or nylon brush
- A vise or stable surface, and a scraper mat to catch shavings
Step 1: Start with a clean, tuned base
Make sure the base is clean and has been recently tuned. Wax works best on a well-structured base without dirt or old, oxidized wax.
Step 2: Choose your wax and heat the iron
Waxes are made for different conditions and are rated by snow temperature. When in doubt, use an all-temp wax. Heat the iron to the temperature specified on the wax. If the wax smokes, the iron is too hot.
Step 3: Drip and iron the wax
Hold the wax against the iron and drip hot wax down the base. Apply enough to spread over the entire base, but not so much that you create a lot of extra scraping. Then move the iron over the base in quick, overlapping passes until the wax is evenly spread. Don't let the iron linger in one spot: you can melt the base and ruin the ski or board.
Step 4: Let it cool completely
Let the base cool fully. The longer the wait, the better the wax absorbs. If you're storing your skis or board for summer, leave the wax on without scraping to protect the base during the off-season.
Step 5: Scrape
Once the wax has cooled, use a sharp plastic scraper angled forward so it pushes wax into the base rather than pulling it up. Wax should be in the base, not on it. Keep going until very few shavings come off when you run a fingernail over the base; it should look like it has a thin sheen of oil. Scrape the side edges too.
Step 6: Brush
With a horsehair brush, make medium-length strokes from tip to tail to clear wax from the base structure. This boosts speed and glide. Brush every section several times until the base looks glossy and clean.
Shop tuning gear
- Swix Plexi Scraper Plastic scraper that won't damage bases
- Dakine Diamond Scraper Mat Catches wax shavings
- Dakine Pipe Snowboard Bag Protect fresh wax in transit
Wax, irons and brushes are available at our Grand Avenue store in Portland. Prefer to let the pros handle it? Our tune shop technicians can wax, edge and base-grind your skis or board.
Ski and snowboard waxing FAQ
How often should you wax skis or a snowboard?
Most recreational riders should wax every 4 to 6 days on snow, or whenever the base looks dry or white along the edges. Frequent riders and racers wax before most days.
Can you use a regular clothes iron to wax skis?
Yes in a pinch, but a waxing iron holds a steady, accurate temperature, which lowers the risk of burning your base. Don't use the clothes iron on clothes afterward.
How long should wax cool before scraping?
At least 30 minutes, and longer is better. Cooling fully lets the wax absorb into the base.
What happens if you don't wax your snowboard?
An unwaxed base gets slow and sticky, turns are less predictable, and the base dries out and is more prone to damage.