Why Do Snowboarders Wax Their Boards?

‍Why Do Snowboarders Wax Their Boards?

Snowboarders wax their boards to maintain them well. This is because if their boards become dry, it will increase the chances of getting broken or not riding as smoothly as it should down the mountain.

They also use wax when they need to fight against rough weather conditions, speed up their board’s performance, and reduce the friction in the snow. It also will ensure you get the most usage out of your board by keeping it in better shape for longer.

If you go an extended time without waxing your board, you will notice performance dropping over time as well as increasing the risk for potential rust or abrasions forming on the board. Wax acts as a coating over the exterior of the board to keep it well protected.

Because snowboarding is such a passionate hobby, it is important to take these precautions to keep your equipment in the best shape and remain safe in the mountains. It can be risky to ride your board without ever waxing it, especially if you are more experienced.

How To Apply Wax On Your Snowboard

Waxing is an integral part of snowboard maintenance, but applying it can be a time-consuming process. You can either do it yourself or bring it to a professional and pay to have the wax applied to your board.

To create the perfect even layer of wax you'll need to scrape the base of the board with a scraper and then apply a thin layer of wax using a brush. You should always use a fresh product so that it melts quickly and evenly.

Use a citrus cleaner to remove old wax, dirt, and any other debris on your board. It is important to spend time on this step because not scraping everything off could cause problems when applying to the new coating of wax.

You should always remove your bindings when doing this too. Next, you will need a wax iron to heat up that will be used to apply the wax. While this heats up, you can remove the bindings and continue scraping.

Be sure to keep the temperature high enough to melt the wax but low enough so it doesn’t cause the wax to smoke. The ideal temperature should be around 130 degrees.

You can move the iron around the board as if you were ironing a shirt to spread the wax and continue to melt it. After you finish with this step, allow 10 minutes for the wax to cool down.

Now you will need the scraper to remove any excess wax from the edges and the binding areas. After scraping, you will need to buff the wax with a scouring pad to finish the process. However, if the process sounds overwhelming you can always bring your board to a local shop to have this done.    

How Often Should You Wax Your Snowboard?

Snowboard waxing is an essential part of snowboarding. But, some people think it’s not necessary to wax their snowboard every time they go snowboarding.

However, you should never wait too long between waxing your board because you risk damaging it and having parts that need replacing.

If you don’t wax it regularly, then the board will start to get dirty and unwieldy from the snow. The best way to know how often you should be waxing your board is by looking at what other snowboarders do.

The frequency that you should be waxing your snowboard depends on several factors such as how much you use your board and how often the conditions change in the area you will be riding.

There is no set time because there are many factors. It is best to watch how your board is reacting to the snow to decide. If you notice snow getting stickier, it may be time to wax your board.

The general rule of thumb is every 3-5 days of riding you can wax your board. For some, this may seem excessive but it is absolutely necessary when putting this much usage on your snowboard.

Benefits Of Waxing Your Snowboard

Waxing your snowboard helps it to last longer, makes it smoother, and protects the base from scratches. You can significantly improve your overall snowboarding experience by making a small investment to properly care for your board.

Waxing your snowboard is an easy way to keep it in top condition and prolong its lifespan. It will also help you save money because it leaves your board looking fresh all the time.

Longer Lasting Board

Your board is a valuable investment, and you want to make sure that it lasts as long as possible. Snowboard waxing is a process that helps your board last longer by reducing friction. It also protects your board from stains and scratches.

To keep up with consistent rides, it is important to have a well-polished board. This can be done by waxing it regularly to reduce friction and protect the top layer of the snowboard from wear and tear.

Faster Riding

The benefit of using wax is that it speeds up your board, allowing you to have an increased range of control and more precise turns. It also gives your board a sleek look when done properly.

Your board will glide faster when you are riding it after waxing it too. This will allow you to reach higher speeds and not have to work as hard for the same results.

However, we are not suggesting new riders should overload a board with wax and aim to go as fast as possible. When done correctly, it will keep you safe on the mountain too.

More Control

Waxing your board gives you more control on your board while riding and helps you get back up faster after a fall so you can continue with your session.

Waxing gives you more control over your board during riding by providing traction on the snow which allows for better balance and easier turning. Waxing also helps prevent your snowboard from sticking to the snow for a better ride.

Can You Snowboard Without Wax?

It is important to keep waxing your board. It will help the board last longer and prevent any potential injuries from happening. You can do this by buying pre-waxed boards or alternately coating them with wax yourself.

However, it is not necessary to ride your board. There are many people out there who never wax their boards and still snowboard regularly.

The risks include sticking to snow when riding or seeing your board wear down much faster. Despite these risks, you can still snowboard without wax.

There are just many more benefits to taking extra precautions and waxing your board. It will improve your entire snowboarding experience and save you money by extending the length of your board usage.