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Edge Tuning

How to Properly Tune Your Skis and Snowboards for Peak Performance

Tuning your skis or snowboard is essential for maintaining optimal performance on the slopes. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a weekend warrior, learning how to properly care for your equipment can make a significant difference in your riding experience. In this guide, we'll walk you through essential tips and techniques for maintaining your edges, tuning your base, and ensuring your gear is ready for any snow conditions.

Check Your Files and Tools

Before you begin tuning, make sure your tools are in good condition. Check your files for sharpness and damage. It’s a good idea to buy a new file each year and mark the old one with a "W" for "working" file. Use this older file for odd jobs and save the new one for working on your edges.

Speed Tips for Aerodynamics

To reduce drag and increase speed, make your tips and tails aerodynamic. For skis that are squared off, you can use your working file to round off the edges. Afterward, smooth the surface with 220-grit Silicon-Carbide (SiC) sandpaper and polish with 400-grit SiC sandpaper. This process will remove rough areas on the top surface of the ski or snowboard.


Base Tuning: Ensure Flatness

One of the first steps in tuning is checking the flatness of your base. Hold a true bar to the ski at 8-10 points along its length. You want to ensure that the base is consistent along its length—neither high nor low compared to the edges—and free from waves.

Suggested Base Bevel Angles

The amount of base edge bevel you choose will affect how easily your skis or board pivot on snow. The more bevel, the easier it will be to slide from side to side.

Here are some recommended base bevel angles:

  • Slalom: 0 to 0.5 degrees
  • GS (Giant Slalom): 0.5 to 0.75 degrees
  • Super G: 0.75 to 1.0 degrees
  • All Mountain Expert: 0.75 to 1.0 degrees
  • All Mountain Novice/Advanced: 1.0 degree
  • Snowboard Beginner: 1.0 to 2.0 degrees
  • Snowboard Intermediate: 1.0 degree

Once you set the base edge angle, maintain it as long as possible using diamond stones or gummi stones.

Side Edge Tuning

Ski Man base edge bevel toolSide edge bevel tool for skis and boards

Side edge beveling gives skis more grip on hard snow surfaces, which is crucial for racers or those skiing on icy terrain.

Suggested Side Bevel Angles

Here are some general recommendations:

  • Slalom: 3 to 4 degrees
  • GS (Giant Slalom): 2 to 3 degrees
  • Super G: 2 to 3 degrees
  • All Mountain Expert: 2.0 to 3.0 degrees
  • All Mountain Advanced: 2.0 degrees
  • All Mountain Novice: 1.0 degree

For snowboarders:

  • Snowboard Beginner: 0 to 1.0 degrees
  • Snowboard Intermediate/Freerider: 1.0 degree
  • Snowboard Halfpipe/Boardercross: 1.0 degree

Choosing Edge Tools

You have two main options when it comes to edge tools:

  1. Multitools: These are convenient and simple to use, offering precise results even for beginners.
  2. Fixed Angle Bevel Guides: These tend to be dedicated to one angle but offer more flexibility in terms of stone size and feel during the cutting process.

For serious racers or tuners, dedicated tools may be a better choice as they offer greater control over the cutting process.

Polishing Your Edges

After filing, it's important to polish your edges using diamond stones, starting with coarse grit (e.g., 400) and moving up to finer grits (e.g., 1000). Polished edges are faster and sharper, improving performance significantly.

Tips for Edge Polishing:

  • Always polish in both directions (back & forth) with red/green stones.
  • Finish with light, full-length tip-to-tail passes.
  • For an even finer polish, follow up with a ceramic stone; this hones the edge surface rather than sanding it.

Polishing not only increases performance but also removes small burrs left after filing.

De-tuning Your Edges

De-tuning refers to dulling certain parts of the ski or snowboard edge, which affects turn shape and control.

For aggressive turns, use less de-tuning—about two inches (5 cm) from the tip or tail should suffice. Adjust sharpness according to snow conditions using a gummi stone; keep edges sharp in icy conditions but dull them slightly for softer snow.

General Rule #1: Base Edge - Set It and Forget It

Once you've set your base edge bevel, avoid overworking it! If you increase it above the intended angle, you'll need a base grind to reset it back down—a time-consuming process best avoided by regular maintenance with fine diamond stones rather than metal files.

General Rule #2: Side Edge - Routine Sharpening Only

Routine sharpening should be done from the side edge only, using diamond stones rather than metal files unless absolutely necessary (e.g., severe damage). Regular sharpening can be done weekly or after each race session using fine stones followed by burr removal with a gummi stone.

Multi-Angle Ski and Snowboard Edge Tuner (RB-3503)

Maximize Your Performance with RaceWax Products!

Now that you know how important tuning is for peak performance on the slopes, make sure you're using top-quality products like those from RaceWax! Whether it's diamond stones for polishing or multitools for precision edge work, RaceWax has everything you need to keep your skis or snowboard in top shape.

Check out our range of RaceWax tuning kits below today!

BASE EDGE TUNING TOOLS

SIDE EDGE TUNING TOOLS

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