Hey All-

I went skiing today and the air temperature was around 5 degrees. I used Swix Polar. I went out a couple of nights ago and I was slipping a little, so today I added a couple more layers of Polar and went a few inches closer to the tip. Today, instead of slipping, I had snow sticking on the bottom of the skis. Did have too many layers, or would I have been better off using Swix Green? I was figuring that nothing would stick to Polar. It was a beautiful day regardless.

I appreciate the help, I hope you all got out.

PW

This is one of the reasons I like to skate ski, I am not smart enough to figure out Kick Wax. Sorry, but I cannot help you on this one.

gbusk:

I appreciate the reply, I am not sure I am coordinated enough to skate and I don't have access to groomed trails, so I have to learn the dark art. My son and I skied at a local County park today with a hill that was like a easy intermediate ski area run. With about a foot of powder we had fun trying to get down to ski the hiking trail, I have a lot of respect for the guys who can tear it up on skinny skis in the powder.

Have a good one,

PW

You can layer any warmer (softer) wax on top of any cooler (harder) wax. When you need to go back to a colder day's prep, it's time to scrape off the softer stuff. I never extend the length of my kick waxes -- mine is around 20-22 inches long -- just change colors and cork them in smooth.

Fresh cold snow has sharp crystals and is quite abrasive. It has very little glide. Polar was the right choice but you want a small wax pocket because the sharp crystals will easily penetrate the wax (i.e. stick to it). It takes less wax to get the job done, one or two thin layers rubbed hard with a cork (or as Tremolo suggests a hair dryer) until it melts into the base. In cold conditions racers will choose their stiffest skis (the ski who's wax pocket is most resistant to being mashed into the snow) in order to maximize the limited glide available and minimize the kick wax's contact with the snow in the gliding phase of the stride.

more info is needed. were these groomed trails that have had a lot of use, or cross country? the age and condition of the snow is as important as the temperature. also the humidity and strength of the sun. a little bit of snow sticking in the kick zone is about what you want, it depends on the stiffness of your skis and your physical strength. all these variables add up to the correct kick wax. it takes lots of experience to get it right. without knowing details i expect that you had too much wax goobed on, otherwise polar wax usually won't stick to the snow. today i used a toko hard green kick wax and a start 14F and below glider on my stiff atomic skis. it worked great. perfect conditions for classic skiing. now a person like my son would have gone out on a day like this and waxed his classic skis almost as if he were planning on skating. upper body strength, no kick but all glide equals the speed that racers are looking for. but you've got to be in super good physical condition. i just want to have fun.

A thicker layer of wax has more "stick" than a thiner layer of the same wax.

Sorry- DP