Should new skis be waxed?

The issue of preparing new skis is complex. When they leave the factory, skis are cold-waxed to protect the base during transport. 
So yes, there is a layer of wax on a new pair of skis. This means that it is possible to go skiing right out of the shop.

But, as is often the case, when you want your equipment to last, it's a bit more complicated than that. Experienced skiers know this: a cold liquid wax does not nourish the sole as a layer of hot wax would. In addition, during transport, the ski may have come into contact with dust or small elements that have come to rest on the sole.

This is why taking the time to remove the wax from your skis and heat waxing them again can be a good idea to take care of the base and hopefully make it last.

So yes, ideally, if you have the time and the equipment, doing a hot wax (or two) on your new skis can be a good idea.

➡️ Before you start waxing, you will need to remove the wax from the soles and edges of your skis. This way, you prepare the base and then feed the soles, which will help them to stay in good condition for a long time.

Cleaning also serves to remove any dirt or substances that may have been deposited on the soles of your skis during storage or transport.

Some people recommend doing several hot waxes to feed the sole by saturating it with wax. Passionate freeriders often do 4-5 coats of wax before their first outing. This will allow the sole to age well.

Waxing, adjusting the bindings and checking the flatness of the skis are enough to prepare a new ski. 
Edge sharpening is a maintenance step to be carried out after several runs if there are any concerns. But normally this is not necessary on new skis.

We have a full article on hot waxing skis. However, if this is your first time, avoid training on your new skis.

Without going into the details of the manoeuvre (as you can find it on our article), there is one basic rule: waxing, scraping etc. should always be done in the direction of the glide, from the tip to the heel.

As explained earlier, the main purpose of waxing new skis is to nourish and protect the base in order to increase their life span.

A universal hot wax will be sufficient to prepare skis for leisure use. If you like speed and freeriding, you will want to adapt your wax to the weather conditions. In this case, we remind you of the colour code:

👉Red for standard snow (-4°C to 4°C)
👉Yellow for spring snow (-4°C to +20°C)
👉Purple for cold snow, but not too cold (-5°C to -12°C)
👉Blue for very cold snow (from -12°C)

The preparation of new skis for competition will be much more demanding and the universal wax will not be suitable. That said, if you are preparing competition skis, I don't think we have anything to teach you!

If you like to ski, you already know that wax helps to preserve the sole of your skis, thus extending their life.

In addition, waxing is essential for good sliding. This is essential for competitors and really passionate skiers. For this type of skier, having the right wax can make the difference between getting on the podium or staying on your feet. And, of course, many skiers love speed, and pamper their skis to maintain a good level of performance whether they are professionals or amateurs.

So all things considered, ski waxing is important.But if you are skiing with your family for a few weeks during the season, you will be more relaxed about the type of wax and the frequency of waxing your skis.

Please note that if you choose to hire skis during your stay in the mountains, the rental companies will exchange pairs between two rentals. This way you will always have well-waxed skis!

The preparation of new skis can be done in the workshop in Decathlon shops.

If you have a friend who is used to waxing his skis, don't hesitate to ask them to show you how. 
They will also have a lot of the material already: universal wax, workbench, scraper, brass brushes etc. So, he will be able to guide you and you can buy him a dinner to thank him! 😉