Tuning
Ski tuning is a crucial step to ensure optimal performance on the slopes. It involves sharpening the edges—the metal that runs along the ski base—to maximize grip and manoeuvrability. A proper edge tuning allows skiers to control their turns better, enhances responsiveness, and reduces the risk of slipping, especially on icy or hard-packed surfaces. The process typically involves using sharpening tools such as a file or a specialized machine. It’s important not to over-sharpen, which could make the skis too aggressive, nor to neglect this step, as it could compromise both safety and enjoyment on the slopes. For frequent skiers, sharpening often —ideally after each outing—is recommended to maintain consistent performance. However, for recreational skiers, sharpening at the start and mid-season should suffice.
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How to Know When Your Skis Need Sharpening?
Knowing when your skis need sharpening is essential for maintaining optimal performance on the slopes and ensuring a safe skiing experience. Several signs indicate it's time for a tuning job. The first indicator is how the skis feel on the snow: if they tend to slide laterally on hard or icy surfaces, or if you’re struggling to grip during turns, it’s a clear sign that the edges are dull. Another sign to watch for is the appearance of small burrs or irregularities along the edges, which you can feel by gently running your finger along them. Visually, if you notice that the edges look dull, with chips or deep scratches, tuning is necessary.
How Often Should You Sharpen Your Skis?
In general, it’s recommended to sharpen your skis after about five to ten days on the slopes, depending on how intensively you ski and the snow conditions. More frequent sharpening is necessary for seasoned skiers or those primarily skiing on hard or icy snow compared to casual skiers who ski on softer snow. For skiers aiming for maximum precision, especially in races, more regular sharpening—even daily—may be considered to maintain perfect edge grip. You can ‘test’ your edges by running your nail along them. If you don't see any scratch marks on your nail, it’s likely time to sharpen them.
How to Sharpen Your Skis: DIY or In-Store Machine Tuning
If you want to maintain grip on all types of snow, including icy patches, regular edge maintenance is essential. Well-sharpened edges are key to perfectly carved turns. Of course, you can take your gear to a ski shop for professional sharpening, but if you want to save time and money, you can easily do it yourself. You’ll find all the necessary tools in our maintenance tools corner, in the tuning category. Grab a sharpener, a file, and you’re ready to go.
Guide to Using an Edge Sharpener for Skis
Uh-oh, this morning’s conditions aren’t ideal, and the snow looks pretty crusty. You’re going to need to trust your ski edges, and it’s best if they’re well-sharpened. If not, don’t hesitate to pull out your sharpening kit and give your edges a quick touch-up to refresh their bite. The equipment is now so well-designed and easy to use that you’d be missing out not to take advantage of it. Try to maintain as smooth a motion as possible when running the sharpener along the edges.
What Tools Do You Need for a Complete Ski Sharpening?
Whether it’s for a pair of skis or a snowboard, if it’s your first time sharpening your gear, it’s best to invest in a complete sharpening kit. You’ll need a tool to remove the sidewalls, a Base Edge tool, a guide clamp, and a file.
The Steps for Edge Tuning
Here are the essential steps. Start by removing the sidewalls with a tool like Vola’s Ergorazor. The goal here is to remove a thin layer of the sidewall to allow for a better edge angle. Next, use a Base Edge tool to achieve an angle of 0.5°. Finish with a complete edge sharpening, maintaining a precise angle. Most of the time, an 89° angle is recommended, as it’s the most versatile and durable in the long term. To get the perfect angle, use a guide clamp and a file attached to it. At this point, you’ll have razor-sharp edges. To refine the job, polish the edges with a diamond stone mounted on guide clamps. One pass on the base side, one on the sidewall, and voilà—your edges are gleaming and ready to grip the ice. And the cherry on top? You can hold them by hand without slicing your fingers every time.
How to Perform a Quick Edge Sharpening?
During the season, you can easily give your ski edges a quick touch-up to restore grip on hard or icy snow. For this, you don’t need to go all out. A simple sharpener and a good file will do the job. A few passes along the entire edge are usually enough to achieve a sharper edge. If the edge is too sharp, don’t hesitate to repeat the polishing process described above to avoid cutting through your brand-new Gore-Tex gloves on the first day.
Vola, Swix... A Wide Range of Maintenance Tools at Glisshop
At Glisshop, you’ll find a wide range of tools such as guide clamps, ski vices, files of different sizes, diamond stones with various grits, and nylon brushes to clean the base after sharpening and remove iron filings from your skis. We offer products from renowned brands like Swix and Vola. Everything you need to get a perfect finish and prepare your skis according to your performance needs.