The Culture of Taking Care of Your Equipment
A Professional’s Perspective
World Cup speed skier and serviceman Sam Morse discusses the motivation shift needed for ski maintenance.
As a professional ski racer, I enjoy skiing on perfectly tuned and waxed skis daily. I know what it feels like to have an elevated connection with the snow surface; I cannot stand skiing on dull, slow, beat-up powder skis when I go free skiing at home. My skiing experience suffers when the skis don’t glide well, leading to an awkward feeling at the end of the run. I also struggle with icy patches because I don’t tune my edges. My performance and enjoyment rely on having properly cared-for skis.
Changing Attitudes Towards Ski Maintenance
Recently, my teammates and I discussed the culture that the general public holds toward taking care of their equipment. While we surrounded ourselves with the million-dollar homes of Beaver Creek and the immense infrastructure at ski resorts, we wondered why many skiers spend thousands on gear but only take their skis to a shop for tuning maybe once a winter. In contrast, many of these same people, including ski bums, maintain their $5,000+ mountain bikes after almost every ride. Why don’t people show the same level of care toward their skis?
The Importance of Proper Tuning
Many skiers don’t realize what they miss in terms of performance. When they see us racing, they often say, “I cannot believe the angles and speeds you guys can maintain on the race course.” Much of that performance comes down to the tuning and maintenance of the equipment. I encourage you to shift your perspective of your skis from just a tool that you beat up to that of a machine like a nice mountain bike or sports car.
Start Caring for Your Skis
For those motivated to care for their equipment, the first step involves taking your skis to a shop for edge repair and base refinishing. Next, invest in some basic tuning equipment to maintain them yourself. Waxing and sharpening your edges once a week if you ski frequently, or once a month if you visit the mountains less often, can vastly improve your experience.
Here’s a photo of my fall order from Toko that features some of my favorite tuning basics to get you started:
- A T18 Digital Toko Iron with an iron mat, which is essential for any tuning kit.
- Durable Blue Base Performance Hot Wax, which works well in various snow conditions.
I also ordered a Toko WC Sidewall planer and the latest WC Edge Tuner with various stone grits. These modern tuning tools make it easier than ever to put a quick tune on your skis!
The Bottom Line
I want to convey that for all the money we have spent on skiing, don’t overlook the skis beneath your feet. A properly tuned and waxed ski will make your next trip to the slopes so much more enjoyable. It’s time to treat your skis with the respect they deserve as highly capable machines.
See you on the slopes!
— Moose
About the Author: Sam Morse
