Race Ski Care

[SLC Skier]

I got a pair of Volkl Racetiger SL skis at the end of last season and had a full tune done to them from a good shop. Taking them out for the first time this weekend.

What extra care do you put into race skis to maintain them compared to your average skis? I have diamond stones to maintain the edge and will wax them frequently. Do they need to be taken to a shop to be tuned more frequently than an all mountain ski?

thanks!

 

[Philpug]

Start by using at least two straps, once for the tip and one for the tail.

You can get them HERE.

 

[ScotsSkier]

Start by using at least two, no I mean three straps, once for the tip and one for the tail and one in front of the toe piece

You can get them HERE.

FIFY

 

[Muleski]

I'd say an even FOUR, one behind the heel piece, or behind the plate..

 

[Magi]

I'd say an even FOUR, one behind the heel piece, or behind the plate..

Cannot tell if serious... (three I'm totally down with, four I can see, but could also see you taking the piss.)

 

[Muleski]

I have. fairly serious race family. Every time one of my now adult kids transported a pair of race skis, they had four straps on them. Even 157cm SL's. I've helped load a few hundred times.

But no, nothing special. Treat them as you would any good pair of your skis. They will ski best with a sharp edge, and the right bevels. A frequent stone to remove burrs and keep them sharp is a plus. And like any ski, keeping the bases full of wax and nice and "greasy" will make them ski better.

I wouldn't plan on more frequent trips to the tuner.

 

[SLC Skier]

thanks for the advice. I have some straps I use for them ( I just use two). Cant wait to take them out tomorrow

 

[focker]

I use no less than 16 straps on mine... They cover the entire ski.

Can't be too careful.

 

[Primoz]

I'd say an even FOUR, one behind the heel piece, or behind the plate..

Cannot tell if serious... (three I'm totally down with, four I can see, but could also see you taking the piss.)

They always ask me the same thing when I say 4... probably it really is overkill, but like it or not, there's less chances to damage edge (or do damage with sharp edge) during transport this way.

 

[François Pugh]

They always ask me the same thing when I say 4... probably it really is overkill, but like it or not, there's less chances to damage edge (or do damage with sharp edge) during transport this way.

And then the little girls on the race team will bang their edges together to see the snow fall to the ground.

 

[Primoz]

@François Pugh and step with ski on binding heel to get out of the skis Back in serviceman days I flipped out completely once because of exactly this... I don't think I need to say from that moment on, only way my racer was getting out of skis was with pole or with boot but never again with ski

 

[Swede]

Or go onto the rails after SL practice ...

 

[James]

Loading skis into the back of a vehicle with no straps makes me cringe. Even one trip to the mountain will leave all these little scratches on a base.
The more you tune the less tolerance you have for this. Even on fat skis.

Most college level racers routinely use three straps for slalom skis. Long trips 4.
I use two, but airline bag is 4 at least. If you don't have straps use a piece of cardboard between bases and tape for inside the airline bag. Essentially making your own straps. Do not load without securing! Plus unscraped wax on the base. Tsa routinely searches the bag but I don't remember them taking straps off.

 

[sjjohnston]

Or go onto the rails after SL practice ...

I've seen the local kids do that. The younger ones, but still....

 

[focker]

Loading skis into the back of a vehicle with no straps makes me cringe. Even one trip to the mountain will leave all these little scratches on a base.
The more you tune the less tolerance you have for this. Even on fat skis.

Most college level racers routinely use three straps for slalom skis. Long trips 4.
I use two, but airline bag is 4 at least. If you don't have straps use a piece of cardboard between bases and tape for inside the airline bag. Essentially making your own straps. Do not load without securing! Plus unscraped wax on the base. Tsa routinely searches the bag but I don't remember them taking straps off.

My sons uses a good ski bag at all times with his SL skis. Keeps them more protected while loading/unloading. The bag get beat up pretty quickly each year which gives you some impression of what the skis are going through...