Why wax your skis at the end of the season?

When skis are waxed, a suitable wax is applied to their soles. The sole is located under the ski, the part that is in direct contact with the snow when you ride. The wax allows you to optimise the gliding quality of your ski or snowboard soles. There are different types of solid waxes, which are applied hot, and liquid waxes, which are applied cold.

👉 See the types of wax

During the storage period of your skis, also known as storage, temperature variations and humidity are the main enemies of your ski equipment. This is where the end-of-season waxing comes in. It protects the soles of your skis and keeps them supple, so you won't have a nasty surprise when you take them out. It also protects the edges by limiting rust caused by humidity. But beware, waxing at the end of the season is not quite the same as at the beginning or middle of the season: do not scrape excess wax off the sole. We’ll explain everything!

Once your skis are clean, you can move on to the waxing stage. You have two options: do it yourself or have it done by professionals. If you prefer to take care of it, you need:

 - a universal wax block
- a waxing iron
- a waxing table (or workbench)
- a waxing vice
- a nylon brush

There are also waxing kits available that consist of a waxing iron, a wax bar, a plastic scraper, a nylon brush and rubber bands.

When waxing your skis, we advise you to put yourself in a well-ventilated place to avoid being bothered by the toxic fumes released by the wax. Off you go!

   ► Clamp the first ski on the table with the waxing vice, with the sole facing the ceiling.

   ► Brush the sole with the nylon brush from the tip (front part of the ski) to the tail (back part of the ski).

   ► Set the temperature of your waxing iron according to the recommendations on the packaging of your wax

   ► Melt the wax with the heating iron and apply drops to the entire sole.

   ► Position the iron on the front of the base and spread the wax slowly towards the back to respect the direction of the ski. This is the most delicate operation: the iron should be used slowly, without leaving it in one place for too long, which could damage the soleplate. Pay particular attention to the edges to avoid rust.

   ► Unlike early or mid-season waxing, leave the excess wax on the sole, without scraping it off. It is this extra layer that preserves them and that must be scraped off at the beginning of the following season, before applying a wax adapted to the current conditions.

► Repeat the operation on the other ski.

Wintering (or storage) is the period of storage between two ski seasons. Before you rush to put your waxed skis in the cellar, be aware that the storage conditions also have an impact on their lifespan.. Whether it's protecting the edges or the soles of your skis, it's not just about the slopes! Here are our tips for storing your skis in the best possible conditions.

1. Fasten them with a ski binding, not too tightly so that the soles do not touch each other and leaving enough space so that the original camber of the skis is respected.

2. Store your skis in a clean and dry storage bag. If it's the same one you use all season to carry your skis, it's probably wet and dirty. So don't neglect to clean and dry them before putting them away. This step is essential to ensure that all your ski maintenance work pays off.

3. Choose a dry place, protected from humidity and temperature variations to store your skis. Ideally, forget the cellar and garage, which may be too damp, and use a cupboard in the house or flat instead.

To preserve the camber of your skis, our advice is to store them upright when not in use, such as in a rental ski rack.

In principle, new skis (and snowboards) are delivered waxed and sharpened. This is the case for all DECATHLON models. This means that you don't need to wax your skis before using them for the first time, even several months after purchase, unless you have not stored them in good conditions.

Regular and thorough maintenance before, during and after the ski season will keep your skis in good condition and extend their life. Remember to wipe them down after each outing, especially the edges, soles and bindings, to avoid water infiltration and rust, which damage the skis.

Storing your ski boots also requires some precautions!

   ► Remove the boots from the inside of the ski boots so that both parts can air out and dry (this advice also applies after a day on the slopes).

   ► Once dry, put the slippers back into the shoe shell.

   ► Close the shoe hooks at the first (loosest) notch so that they keep their shape.

   ► Put your shoes in a protective cover so that they don't gather dust.

   ► As with your skis, keep your boots in a dry place, away from light and with little temperature variation.