Is It Time to Tune Your Skis?

You don’t need to be a racer to benefit from a properly tuned ski. In fact, knowing when your gear needs a tune-up can make all the difference between carving confidently and slipping through turns. Whether you're tackling Colorado’s steep terrain or just getting laps in at Eldora, properly maintained skis will boost your control, safety, and enjoyment on snow.

How to Tell If You Need a Tune

• Burred or Rounded Edges: Run your finger lightly along the edge—if it feels dull or you can see small nicks or burrs, it’s time for a sharpening.
• Base Flatness: Grab a true bar or hold your skis base-to-base. If the bases are "edge high" (you see light through the middle when pressed together), your skis will feel hooky and unpredictable. If they’re "base high," they’ll slide but struggle to initiate a turn.
• Visual Damage: Scratches, gouges, or core shots can disrupt glide and shorten the life of your gear if left untreated.
• Inconsistent Glide: If one ski suddenly feels slower or more grabby, uneven wax or base wear could be the issue.

Keep in mind—even if your edges feel sharp—if your base is no longer flat, your skis won’t track correctly. Inconsistent pressure across the base makes it hard to initiate or hold turns, especially on firm snow or in variable terrain.

What Type of Wax Should You Use?

During the heart of winter—January and February in Colorado—a cold temperature wax like Holmenkol UltraMix Blue offers better durability and structure retention. It’s harder, so it lasts longer and glides better on those colder, squeaky-snow mornings.

Heading into shoulder season or seeing temps above 28°F? Consider a universal or mid-temp wax like Holmenkol BetaMix Red. It offers better glide in wet, mixed conditions where a cold wax would drag.

Grab UltraMix Blue here or check out BetaMix Red for versatility.

Tuning at Alpine Base & Edge

We offer full tunes, hot waxes, edge repairs, and custom flattening to keep your skis running fast and feeling dialed. Whether you're prepping for a race, heading to the back bowls, or just need your kid's edges checked—our experienced techs can help.

• Premium Tune – For performance-focused skiers looking for race-ready edges and flawless glide
• Basic Edge & Wax – Great for mid-season touchups and getting rid of burrs
• Structure & Flattening – Restores edge engagement and fixes high/low spots in the base

Learn more about our tuning services or swing by the shop—walk-ins are always welcome.

Conclusion

Ski tuning isn’t just a luxury—it’s a must. If you’re sliding around when you shouldn’t be, struggling to hold a turn, or just feel like your skis aren’t "snapping" like they used to, it might be time for a tune. Take 5 minutes, inspect your gear, and swing by Alpine Base & Edge—we’ll get you dialed in for whatever the mountain throws at you.

Want to get the most out of every lap? Start with a solid tune.