How often do I need to wax my snowboard?

How often do I need to wax my snowboard?

there are no hard and fast rules about how frequently you should wax your board, a newly waxed board will normally begin to lose wax and slide less effectively after around 3-5 days of riding.

There are a few things that can influence how long wax lasts:

• The hardness of the snow - fresh, pluffy powder is softer on your board than old, icy snow. In my experience, this means that wax will wipe off four times faster on hard snow than on soft snow.
• If you use heated wax, it will last longer than rub-on wax.
• How heavy the rider is - heavier riders put more pressure under the base of the board, rubbing the wax off faster than lighter riders.
• How you ride your board - novices who make a lot of side slips and skidding turns will scrape away the wax quicker than an experienced rider who makes smooth rounded turns.
• What the board's base is built of - In general, there are two types of snowboard bases: Extruded bases are found on cheaper boards and whilst these are easier the repare if you hit a rock and put a hole in the bas, they do tend to dry out quicker. Sintered bases are found on more costly boards and have a more porous surface. These small perforations allow the wax to seep deeper into the foundation and keep it from drying up as quickly.

How to tell if your snowboard needs wax

All of the aforementioned elements affect how long the wax lasts on the board, so it may be simpler to look for these signals to see when it's time to break out your snowboard wax kit:

• If you observe that your straight-line speed is slower than that of your peers,
• If the foundation of your board seems to be dry along the edges,
• If the temperature of the snow has substantially changed and you find you are moving slowly,
• If you haven't waxed your board in over 6 months

The most obvious indication that your board requires a wax is that you are moving slowly. Even if your objective isn't to be the quickest rider on the mountain, a smooth sliding board has a few additional advantages.

To begin with, it will allow you to cross flat sections without having to unclip and push. A fast board will also make the board ride more smoothly and reliably, making turns feel smoother and less sticky as the snow warms.

Look at the bottom of your board if you're having difficulty gaining speed. If your board appears to be dry, it's time to wax it. This is usually more evident near the edge, where the wax is rubbed off faster as you turn and apply pressure to the base.

Which base holds wax better: sintered or extruded?

Cheaper boards often have extruded bases, but more costly boards typically have sintered bases. Because a sintered foundation is more porous, it absorbs more wax. This implies that you'll need to wax a sintered base less frequently than an extruded base.

Because a sintered base contains a little amount of structure, it aids in reducing suction between the board and the snow. As a result, even a dry extruded basis will be slightly faster than a dry extruded base.

Wrong type of wax?

If you know you have enough of wax on your board but are still moving slowly, it's possible that you're using the wrong wax. This is usually an issue when the weather is really cold and you're using an all-around or warm wax. In this case, a dry foundation will actually glide better than a board that has been waxed with the incorrect wax.

If you're riding in the dead of winter and know the temperature will be near or below freezing, you'll need to wax using a cold-weather wax. If you're taking your board to a retailer, ask what temperature wax they'll use on it. If they are unable to match the wax to the temperature, especially in really cold conditions, you are better off purchasing some wax and doing it yourself. Alternatively, keep your base dry and then apply some all-weather wax as it begins to warm up.

Other things to think about…

Is wax harmful to the environment?

Wax is harmful to the environment. It may contain hydrocarbons and other substances with long names that we do not want to introduce into the alpine ecosystem. Even if you wish to wax your board every week, you may minimize damage by applying as little wax as possible and properly disposing of it as you scrape the base.

Don't scrape your wax off the slope! When you're on the hill, the worst thing you can do is scrape your board right onto the snow. This can release up to ten times the quantity of wax into the environment as proper disposal. Wax can get everywhere, so my advice is to lay down a sheet to catch all the scrapings, then sweep them up and toss them away.

Although it is less expensive in the long run to buy some wax, a waxing iron, and a scraper and do the job yourself, taking your board to a snowboard/ski shop for a wax can result in less waste. Inquire at the store about how they will wax your board. If they have an infrared camera, it is the greatest choice. Most big ski rental shops will have an infrared waxing equipment that uses less wax and absorbs it deep into the base for a longer-lasting treatment.