Waxes

How often should I wax my race skis?

For racing and serious training, you should be waxing every 2–3 ski days at minimum, and ideally before every race day. A well-maintained base glides faster, protects the ski and is far easier to keep in top condition. Waxing should be part of your ski servicing process, as it’s easier to maintain a base continually than repair one damaged by neglect.

How do I choose the right wax for the temperature?

Start with the temperature range printed on the wax block, but also factor in:
Air temp vs. snow temp (snow temp is usually 2–5°C colder than air temp)
Snow age (fresh snow is more aggressive than old snow and needs a harder wax)
Humidity (wet snow at 0°C needs a very different wax to dry snow at 0°C)

As a simple guide:

Cold/Blue waxes → -10°C and below
Green waxes → -15°C and below (very cold, abrasive snow)
Red waxes → -4°C to -1°C
Yellow/wet waxes → 0°C and above

Keeping a small range of three or four waxes covering your typical racing conditions is a good idea to keep you prepared for anything.

Do I need a specific iron for ski waxing?

Yes! You absolutely need a ski-specific iron for waxing your base – your clothing iron won’t work because you cannot get the same level of precise temperature control, plus the holes for steam will create an uneven application. Using a clothing iron for skis will damage the ski. A ski-specific digital waxing iron has been shaped to allow easy, smooth wax application evenly across the base, and the consistent temperature controls protect your skis from burn damage.

What is the difference between HWK LX Basewax and HWK HX Racewax?

The HWK Basewax is best for preparing new skis for the first service – it’s designed for leaving to soak into the base to scrape off manufacting dust that may be left on the ski. The HWK Racewax is faster and has been designed for racers looking for speed on race day.