Grippy Snow Sticky Snow Grip Me Grab Me Solutions Anyone

ski_it

Well I’ve been hitting this type of snow condition fairly regularly this later season and it is not enjoyable. I’ve noticed many other skiers having the same issue. Younger legs help but I think it affects all. I understand some of the reasons why; new snow in above freezing conditions, water amount in the snow, runs in the sun, nights that don’t go below freezing. Ski area recommendations such as application of the proper wax is key, are not helpful. I’ve tried hot wax, rub on wax, tried to stay in the the shade, moguls, stay on edge and the in the woods but the run outs are killers.
Any DIY solutions out there that don’t include hitting the apres ski bar at 9am?

tedede

If you can find any old Toko 3 Silverwax. I used to rub it on in an X pattern back in the 80s/90s.

Good wet waxes like Dominator Butter are high-flouro waxes. They have been outlawed.

Hertzel Spring Solution is supposed to be excellent, but it's hard to find.

A trick if you are racing is dish soap. Spread it over the bottom, carry the skis and snap in at the start. You'll get 5-10 seconds out of it.

jgreco

If it's only patches of sticky snow, learn to spot the sticky spots: usually dirtier surface or in sunnier spots. If it's the whole trail then just point it, bud.

ski_it

Thanks for the recommendations. I remember that Silverwax... IIRC it was near impossible to remove

rickbolger

Radio Ron recommends WD-40. I'm not kidding

Do it up one time

ski_it

Hmm I’ve wondered how that and silicon sprays with their possible solvents would react with the base

hazlntskier

My understanding was you need something on the bottoms that is not real smooth to stop the water in the snow and surface tension. That is where the Toko lsilver wax was good. Rubbing it on the ski gave you a non smooth surface. Of course that was 40 years ago.

rickbolger

ski_it;c-65061 wroteHmm I’ve wondered how that and silicon sprays with their possible solvents would react with the base

Good question

HDPE is ok with aliphatic hydrocarbons "Little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure to the reagent" and ski bases are UHMW which is just a more rugged version of HDPE (different ethylene molecule for better wear, reduced friction)

the other component of WD 40 is heavy paraffin which is just fancy mineral oil, sort of like wax anyway I think. Ballistol might be another option

With that in mind, mineral oil might be a good cheap way to get the job done; HDPE has no problem with that.

If in doubt you could spray it on a plastic milk jug and see what happens I guess. I wouldn't have any concerns about it, next time I'm facing the sticky grabby stuff I'm going to try the WD40, but I'll hedge my bets and clean the bases with a solvent within a few weeks and then do a regular wax for the off season. Grabby snow really tears at my knees.

ski_it

Wowser Rick, so much info! So you’re saying bases today are still HighDensityPolyEthelyene? And milk jugs too? Problem being sorta empty nester so buying the small cardboard sizes in 3 different types now,

Real problem is when the air temp doesn’t drop below 32. No corn formation. Back in the olden days you’d ski mornings & afternoon and drink beer in middle. Now I guess u ski to 10 and hit the bar?

rickbolger

ski_it;c-65064 wroteWowser Rick, so much info! So you’re saying bases today are still HighDensityPolyEthelyene? And milk jugs too? Problem being sorta empty nester so buying the small cardboard sizes in 3 different types now,

Real problem is when the air temp doesn’t drop below 32. No corn formation. Back in the olden days you’d ski mornings & afternoon and drink beer in middle. Now I guess u ski to 10 and hit the bar?

the last time I skied in mid-April was during the plague and I gagged my knee pretty well at Wildcat, so when it gets like this I drop all pretenses.