Storage Waxing Nordic Skis
Why End-of-Season Waxing Matters
At the end of the Nordic ski season, one of the most important things you can do for your skis is apply storage wax.
Even though the ski season may be over, proper offseason care plays a major role in maintaining:
- Ski speed
- Base health
- Glide performance
- Overall longevity of your equipment
Storage waxing is a simple process, but it can make a huge difference in how your skis perform season after season.
Why Storage Wax Matters
Nordic ski bases are made from porous polyethylene material that absorbs wax over time.
If skis are stored without wax during the offseason, the bases can begin to:
- Dry out
- Oxidize
- Lose glide performance
- Become more difficult to recondition later
A protective layer of wax applied to the skis hydrate the bases during the summer months.
Hydrated bases generally:
- Maintain glide better
- Accept wax more effectively
- And last longer over time
Storage waxing is an easy way to improve the longevity of your skis.
Always Storage Wax Your Performance Skis
As a general rule, Nordic skis should receive a layer of storage wax at the end of the season before summer.
This applies to:
- Skate skis
- Classic skis
- Race skis
- Fitness skis
Even if you only ski occasionally, off-season storage wax helps protect most ski bases.
What Wax Should You Use?
The good news is that almost any glide wax can work as a storage wax layer.
You do not need a special storage-specific wax product.
At Gear West, we prefer using a blue glide wax for summer storage.
We like blue wax because it's close to the temperature range commonly skied in here in the Midwest. Any wax residue on the ski base is beneficial.
How Storage Wax Is Applied
Storage wax is applied similarly to a normal hot wax application.
The wax is melted into the ski base using a waxing iron and left on the ski without scraping it off.
Leaving the wax on the base creates a protective layer during the offseason.
When ski season returns, the wax can then be:
- Scraped
- Brushed
- Refreshed with the appropriate wax for current snow conditions
Do You Wax the Entire Ski?
For skate skis, storage wax is applied across the entire base.
For classic skis, it is applied to the glide bases.
Waxable Classic Skis
On waxable classic skis, you do not need to apply glide wax over the kick zone underfoot.
The glide wax should only be applied to the tips and tails of the glide zones:
Skin Skis
For skin skis, avoid applying glide wax directly onto the skin insert.
Wax the glide zones on the front and rear portions of the ski.
Fishscale or Scale Skis
For fishscale or crown skis, you do not need to apply protective glide wax over the scale pattern underfoot.
Instead, focus on waxing the glide zones of the ski.
Clean Skis Before Storage Waxing
Before applying storage wax, it’s a good idea to:
- Clean the ski bases
- Remove dirt and contamination
- Brush out old wax residue
Doing so prevents dirt from sitting in the base throughout the offseason.
Clean bases absorb storage wax more effectively and are easier to prepare when the next season arrives.
Proper Summer Storage
Along with storage waxing, skis should also be stored properly during the offseason.
For best results:
- Store skis in a cool, dry place
- Avoid excessive heat
- Keep skis away from direct sunlight
- Avoid hot garages or attics if possible
Extreme heat can negatively affect:
- Ski bases
- Camber
- Adhesives
- And skin inserts on skin skis
Final Thoughts
Storage waxing is a simple — and important — form of Nordic ski maintenance.
Applying a protective layer of wax at the end of the season helps:
- Keep ski bases hydrated
- Protect glide performance
- Improve ski longevity
- Eases preseason prep
A few extra minutes of maintenance in the spring can increase your skis performance in winter.
If you would like us to assist with storage waxing, ski cleaning, or offseason ski maintenance, stop by Gear West and our Nordic service team will properly prepare your skis for summer storage.