Way back when in the last century, after I started skiing, ski bottoms were wood. Then, Kofix, the first polymer bottom, came out in 1956 followed by P-Tex 2000 in 1966. Since then, every ski has a polyethylene bottoms. The lure, besides better gliding over the snow, was that with P-Tex, one didn’t have to ever wax your skis again.

So much for nostalgia. Besides helping the skis run better, wax also helps protect the bottoms of the skis from damage. Again, back in the last century’s good old days, I’d apply a coat of paraffin to the bottoms of a new pair of skis, scrape it off, buff it from tip to tail, and then repeat the process twice.

What this did and still does is fill in the pores in the polyethylene and make it slicker. Slicker means the ski goes faster, easier to skid and/or turn.

Before each ski trip, I’d prep our family’s skis, and each night after skiing, I’d apply a new coat of wax. In the late 80s, hotels and condos had a room where one could prep skis, but they seemed to have disappeared along with the typewriter.

Newer ski bottoms are better, but I still wax before each trip. If nothing else, it gets me excited about the coming ski trip. Here’s the process.

Step 1 – set up your work area. This will be messy, so I recommend covering the floor under the sawhorses with plastic used to protect walls and floors when you paint. This way, when you are done, you can pick up the plastic that contains the wax shavings and put it in the trash.

Step 2 – wipe down the skis with a damp (don’t use soap!) rag to clean any dirt or grit off the bottoms.

Step 3 – Drip the wax in a wavy line down the ski using an iron (mine is an old travel iron). It doesn’t matter if you start at the tip or the tail, and when you’re done with each ski, the trail of wax should be about 3/8 to ½ inch wide. For this base wax, you can use paraffin that, once upon a time, you could get in small slabs where the canning goods were at the supermarket, but it is getting harder and harder to find. I’ve switched to LFTurari Ski and Snowboard Wax. The link to get it on Amazon is here.

Step 4 – use the flat bottom of the iron to flatten the wax on the bottom

of the ski. Don’t worry if some drips over the edge. Be careful not to leave the iron on the bottom on any spot for more than a few seconds. By the time you finish the second ski, the wax on the first one has cooled sufficiently to scrape.

Step 5 – scrape the wax off from tip to tail by holding the scraper at a 30 – 45 ° angle to the bottom and scrape from tip to tail. My scraper is the blade from an old kitchen bench scraper which are easy to find. Just make sure that you deburr it before you use it.

Step 6 – buff the wax, again moving the cork or plastic brick from tip to tail. I prefer cork. This step pushes it into the P-Tex and smooths it out.

Step 7 – run the scraper down the edges to remove any remaining wax. Then, pick up the plastic!

Warning, depending on the snow conditions, your skis may feel sluggish at first until the wax wears off. However, the more you do this, the more protected your bottoms are, and if you wax for specific conditions, the prepped bottoms should hold and retain the wax better.

Days are getting longer and warmer, and spring skiing is the reward we downhillers get for braving frosty fingers and toes until now.  Let’s hope the snow holds until April or May. Until then, enjoy these events and deals happening at the destinations we love.  Here are bits and pieces from here and there for March for skiers and riders.

Sugarloaf

The largest ski area East of the Rockies just got even larger with the opening of West Mountain in mid-February.

 “We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated grand opening of West Mountain”, shares Karl Strand, President & General Manager.  “The magnitude and pure impact of this type of terrain expansion can’t be understated.  It’s the largest terrain expansion to happen in the Northeast since the late 1970’s.”

West Mountain expansion includes 12 new alpine trails, covering approximately 120 acres. The expansion will increase Sugarloaf’s total skiable acreage by nearly 10%, catering to both beginner and intermediate skiers and riders.

They are transported by the new Bucksaw Express, a high-speed detachable quad which will increase Sugarloaf’s uphill capacity by 2,400 skiers per hour. It transports skiers and riders up to Bullwinkle’s Restaurant, providing convenient access to the heart of the mountain and revolutionizing the way guests access and navigate the slopes.

 “West Mountain creates a new family-friendly zone, something Sugarloaf has needed for quite some time”, shares Strand, “the accessibility of the lift and terrain provides a progression platform unlike anything we’ve ever had here.  Our instructors and families will have a separate zone creating confidence and a “safe” zone, if you will, for beginner and intermediate level skiers.”

Extended Hours at Aspen

Starting March 1, all four resorts that make up Aspen/Snowmass are extending the hours of lift operations, to coincide with extended hours of sunlight.

Aspen Mountain: Silver Queen Gondola, Ajax Express and FIS Lifts will operate until 4pm The last ride down on Silver Queen Gondola is 4:30pm.

Highlands: Exhibition Lift will operate until: 4pm. Loge Peak will operate until 3:30pm.

Buttermilk: Summit Express will operate until 4pm.

Snowmass: Big Burn and Elk Camp Gondola will operate until 4pm. The Village Express Lift will operate until 4:00pm to the summit and until 4:15pm to the mid-point.

Steamboat

The popular pre-pandemic free daily mountain tour program for adults only with “yellow jacket” volunteer hosts has been changed into a ticketed tour for all ages, especially families.

Guides still take participants on greens and blues (no blacks), focusing on connecting the various peaks and lifts, along with historic tidbits. 

Now called Full Steam Ahead Mountain Tour, it is being offered Monday-Thursday through early April, 10am to Noon.  The formerly-free tour is now $20 for adults 13+, and free for a child aged 10-12 with a paid adult ticket (children younger than 10 are not permitted on the tour, and children 10-17 must be accompanied by a paying adult).  

Advance registration is required, as is a lift ticket or pass.   Steamboat is a member of the Ikon Pass system, and also offers resort-specific passes. Meet at 9:45am the base of the new Wild Blue Gondola, at which whisks riders to the top of the appropriately-named Sunshine Peak.  https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/activity-details/mountain-tours

I love to ski. (My wife says I live to ski).  Most of my adult working life I was too busy  to research new ski technologies and techniques. It is why I wound up skiing the same pair of Head Monsters for a decade until they wore out, and how I learned how important the demo process is to finding the perfect new pair of skis.

For years, my purchasing research typically was reading a few articles, talking to fellow skiers, and with a (hopefully) knowledgeable ski shop salesperson.  Invariably, I would buy what one of them recommended.  Maybe you have, too.

The last time I brought the Monsters in for sharpening, I was told there was nothing left to sharpen. Obviously, I had skied and sharpened the metal edges to death, and they finally died. It was time to buy a new pair. (Not my Salomon boots! I’ve had them spot-stretched three times, and they fit like a glove. I have had to replace the heelpieces, though.)

Instead of running to any ski shop to buy something, I chose to rent on my first full-week trip of the season and not rush to buy new ones. I’ve always shlepped my ski stuff wherever I’ve skied, both domestically and internationally, so this was an extra perk. (The serious convenience of shipping instead of shlepping skis to and from ski trips is a different subject.)

Flying into SLC in the early afternoon for a 70+ Ski Club trip, there was plenty of time to get to a ski shop to rent skis (fitted to my own great boots, of course). We discussed my ability, and he began to point out the differences of several brands and models he was considering for my skill level and body weight.

I asked if I could ski a different pair each day that he would suggest based on my feedback, and he agreed, even encouraging that.  A good shop will let you swap as often as you want. So, I rented for the week, and took the first pair he suggested.

During the next five days I tried to remain focused on the skis while still enjoying my skiing each day, trying all different types of terrain, speeds and turns and paying attention as much as I could to weight shifting, balance, chatter, turn radius, carving, etc.

Whenever I had a few moments, I would dictate my impressions about the skis into my phone. At the end of the day, I would return the skis to the shop, meet the same sales/manager guy, and report what I liked and didn’t like, what it felt like, etc., compared to the previous day’s skis. Then, he would recommend a different pair for the next day based on my pros and cons, and repeat the process for the entire week.  

 At the end of the week I knew exactly which skis I liked the best and why– enough to buy them 

I know ski performance can vary substantially between skis models. I just never felt it myself, until that week, and the differences were both noticeable and meaningful. Simply, my new skis improved my skiing and my enjoyment of skiing. I couldn’t be more satisfied.

They fit me and my ski style better than any other I’ve used in decades, even before the Monsters. They require the least amount of work to achieve the level of comfort I want while skiing, without the negatives of the others.

I can’t recommend this “trial” approach to purchasing skis strongly enough, especially if your purchasing method is to talk with sales folks, read a few articles and ask other skiers how they like what they’re skiing on. Most ski shops will apply your rental fee towards the purchase of a new pair from them at the end of the week, whether you rent one pair for the week or a different pair every day.  Some will even sell you the actual demo pair that you fell in love with.

When these skis are worn out, I’ll be sure to find a new pair the same way.

by Stacey Smith

I have been a ski instructor for 18 years. I am also a parent to two grown adults who learned to ski as children by going to work with me. Keeping all of us warm and comfortable for entire days on the slopes was my responsibility, and I make sure my clients, at any age, are warm and comfortable to ensure they have their best day on snow.

Layers

There’s one word to describe how to stay warm – layers. Today’s materials and fabrics are so much thinner and warmer than the heavy knits of decades ago. 

Start with a base layer consisting of a long sleeve top and long underwear bottoms or even yoga pants. Long underwear is made in so many different materials and weights, such as fleece for cold, sub-zero days, and thin polyester blends for warmer spring skiing days.

Stay away from anything with a tight ankle cuff as you will want the ability to pull your pant leg up and over your calf when getting fitted for ski boots.

Socks Are Important

If your feet get cold, that will be enough to distract you from your ski experience. Find a good pair of synthetic/wool blend socks. Just make sure they are long enough to go over your calf.  

Stay away from cotton socks and anything shorter than crew length. Anytime bare skin rubs against the inside of the boot, it creates friction and becomes very uncomfortable. The more coverage you have on your foot and calf, the better.

Fleece

Keeping your body’s core warm is key if you’ll be outdoors for any length of time. Depending on the weather forecast, you may want to wear a thin fleece pullover or vest under your jacket or coat. They can always be taken off if you get too warm.

Snow Pants

Either bibs or standard snow pants, will do. Do yourself a favor and wear the most

comfortable pair of winter boots you have to the mountain. You’ll thank me for that advice at the end of your day!

Mittens or Gloves

Which you choose is an individual preference. In my experience, a thin glove liner in a mitten can help to ensure even more warmth on cold days. If you use hand warmers, the liner acts as a barrier to your skin preventing any burns if the handwarmers get too hot.

Helmets

I cannot stress enough the importance of a helmet, for two reasons, first to protect your head. Secondly, you will find it much warmer than a hat. You don’t need to buy a helmet; you can rent them at most ski areas and most ski schools require them with lessons, including for kids.

If you are renting and feel funny putting your head in a helmet worn by others, wear a balaclava (combined neck warmer and cap) or a thin hat/cap underneath the helmet. This will add an extra layer of warmth. Just be sure the hat is thin enough, so the helmet fits properly.

 Neck Warmers

These are a great way to close the gap between neck and helmet. Depending on the weather, choose toasty fleece or something thinner.  A scarf can work, too, provided the ends are tucked securely into your jacket. The last thing you want is your vision obstructed by a scarf fluttering in the wind as you’re sliding on snow, or – worse – caught in the chairlift when you exit.

 Goggles

These are important all winter, especially when weather conditions are snowy, windy, or just brilliantly sunny. It’s difficult to listen and watch your instructor if you must constantly turn away or cover your eyes because of blowing wind and snow.

 Boots

I mentioned handwarmers with gloves or mittens and it should be noted, toe warmers are also a great thing to have on very cold days. They are best applied when you put on your ski boots,  or right before you go to the rental shop to save time.

When fitting your ski boots, do not place any other clothing in the ski boot other than your sock. The single biggest complaint I hear from “first time” clients when we meet on the snow is “My feet hurt, my boots are too tight”. It’s usually because they have their underlayers and pants tucked into their boot and then the boots are buckled tightly, causing their circulation to be cut off.

I hope this helps you prepare for your first time or perhaps your grandchild’s first time on the slopes. Positive experiences on snow create future skiers and that’s always been my goal!

 Bio

Stacey Smith grew up in NH not far from the Mt. Washington Valley. I realized when mychildren were young, that I could become a ski instructor and at the same time they could learn to ski. I spent close to 18 years teaching all ages and abilities to make their first turns on snow. These days, I live in southeastern MA with my husband. He doesn’t ski but loves apres ski, and we both enjoy all things related to skiing, travel and food.

Looking for a traditional French village with a ski resort, I came across Val Cenis in Savoie, at the southern side of the highest paved mountain pass in Europe, Col de l’Iseran, 2,764 meters. In winter the closest airport is Turin and then the Frejus Tunnel. Flying to Geneva is also a possibility.

We sought the French atmosphere of a traditional village. On the recommendation of a friend, we stayed in the village of Lanslevillarde. The Arc River flows through the town which is on the north bank, whilesouth side, where the skiing is, has hundreds of ski-in ski-out vacation apartments. The town is at 1,500 meters and the highest lift goes up to 2,850 meters. We rented a cozy two-bedroom apartment with a fire place in the center of town on the north side of the river. The owner was an alpine guide and very French, that is, not as accommodating as he might have been. More on him later. Scouting out the restaurants we found traditional Savoie fare, Fondue, Tartiflette, and Pizza.

The skiing can be divided between, the tree lined trails starting at 2,100 meters and going down to the village and the open areas above the tree line up to the top. This is an area of untapped potential. The skiing above the tree line is has great potential. For the most part it’s natural snow and the red runs with a 700-meter vertical are really great for cruising: the excitement of a good pitch without moguls. The drawback is that the lift going up to 2,850 meters is an old fashioned non-detachable chairlift that takes forever to get to the top. On a sunny day this could be plus, but in inclement weather going up is an unpleasant experience. Also, there’s only one mountain restaurant in this sector.

We were there for two weeks, half of the time enjoying the sunshine but experiencing poor visibility on the other days. But on the days with poor visibility, I skied the runs below the tree line down to village taking advantage of the better visibility and enjoying the uncrowded non-stop runs with verticals of 500 – 600 meters. Artificial snow provided good cover all the way down to the village.

Oh, about the owner. Two days before our planned departure, he alerted us to the chance that French farmers protesting against the government might block the Frejus tunnel on the day we had planned to drive back to the airport in Italy. We couldn’t take the chance of missing our flight, so we revised our plan and left a day early. But where to go for these remaining days? A quick look at the map pointed me to the Sauze d’Oulx, part of the huge “Milky Way” ski region linking Sestriere with Montgenevre. We left Val Cenis on a grey Friday morning and two hours later arrived in sunny Italy. The local tourist office found us a pleasant hotel for one night. We checked in, and got dressed for skiing. A short walk up the hill to the lift and I was back in my element. Long red runs, great for non-stop cruising and sunshine, with a plethora of restaurants on the piste offering a wide range of Italian cusine. While I was skiing my partner was surveying the possibilities for dinner. She found a great restaurant with tapas and gourmet Piedmont delicacies plus a selection of Piedmont’s famous Barolo and Barbera wines. Rising early the next morning, I got in another few hours of fabulous skiing, before getting in the car for the drive the airport.

The score: Italy 1, France nil.