Notes from Eric on grip waxing

During the waxing session today some of the parents were asking if I could
provide a list of grip waxes with comments added to help with its use.  This
is not intended to replace the list we put together for the parents manual
but more as an added resource for those who are relatively new to grip
waxing and would like lo learn more.

Please forward this to the parents of the junior skiers or to anyone who
might find it helpful.



Below are four Swix waxes that would be a good starter kit, they will be
useful for most normal winter skiing.

Swix V30, V40, V45, V55

Swix V series waxes are sold in most ski shops including HW ski&bike.
V series is the Swix recreational (economical) level grip wax and it just
fine for regular training.
V series works well in new to older snow but is less effective as the snow
becomes transformed.
V30 or V40 is fine to use as a "base" for the grip wax of the day so long as
the snow is not very aggressive (transformed), if the snow is becoming
transformed or you plan to ski a long distance a proper base binder is
recommended for durability.


Below are a few more ideas for those who want to build their wax kit.
Please keep in mind there are many excellent products on the market, these
are just some that I am quite familiar with and keep in my personal wax kit.


Base wax:

Swix VG30, use with new to older snow.
Swix VG35, use with older and transformed snow
VG35 is a gummy consistency, it is tougher than VG30 but will slow skis in
newer snow.

Vauhti Base wax AT, use with new to older snow.
Vauhti Base Wax Super, use with older and transformed snow Base Wax Super is
a very good tough base wax, but like VG35 slow when used with new snow.


Rode Grip:

Green P20,  good cold weather wax, works well as a cover over Blue/Green
Multi, Super Blue or similar.

Blue/Green Multi P36,  seems to work best colder than indicated on can, -6
to -12 depending on snow.

Super Blue P32,  Excellent wax, best with older snow, if tracks are hard it
is often very good at temps much colder than indicated on can.

Violet Multi P46, good as temps start to rise through -4 to -1.

Violet P40,  Very good as temps approach zero, rarely ices.


SkiGo:

HF Blue,  Kind of expensive ($35) but it is pretty handy to have since its
hardness changes with temperature at a rate that makes it useful over a very
broad range.  Normally it seems to work -4 or -5 down to the mid teens where
it starts to slow quite a bit. Old and transformed snow only, quite slow in
new snow.


Vauhti:

K18,  Very good old/transformed snow grip wax, best -4 to -10 range.