Snowboarders or Skiers with their own gear

[RaDragon]

Prelude: I did a quick search and didn't find a snowboard thread that answered my query

I'm just wondering -- this is the first year that I've owned any snowboard gear (e.g., snowboard, boots, bindings, etc.)

How often should I have my board waxed? I plan to go at least twice a month (possibly more) until the end of the 2004/2005 season. Should I get it machine waxed? Hand-waxed? Or do it myself?

I live in SoCal, so the resorts I'll be going to aren't top-notch, but good enough for a beginner like me. In other words, the snow will be granular-packed, or not-so-deep powder... (For those familiar, I've been going to Mountain High, Snow Summit/Bear Mountain, [maybe Snow Valley], and Mammoth Mountain).

Thanks in advance!

Cliff's Notes:
How often should one wax their snowboard/skis?
Should I learn how to wax my own board?

 

[JoeKing]

What's nice is most places will work on your board for free with the purchase of a lift ticket. So what I usually do is drop it off at the shop while I'm stopping at the lodge for some refreshments. But for binding adjustments I do that myself.

Damnit I still haven't gone on the slopes this year

 

[jtusa]

Parents are moving to western Colorado in a few months. I can't wait, free lodging when I want to hit the mountains.

 

[RaDragon]

Originally posted by: JoeKing
What's nice is most places will work on your board for free with the purchase of a lift ticket. So what I usually do is drop it off at the shop while I'm stopping at the lodge for some refreshments. But for binding adjustments I do that myself.

Damnit I still haven't gone on the slopes this year

Hmmm... Okie. I don't think we don't have that deal here in SoCal. TY for the info, though.

 

[Insane3D]

I have done general upkeep on my skis/bindings, but I usually just bring them to a local shop once a year and have them do the works to them. The machines they have do a better job on the edges than I probably could, and a deluxe waxing lasts most of the year for me. How much you wax usually depends on the type of snow you are skiing. The real wet stuff in the spring is when you need it most.

 

[Anubis]

i tune my skies myself, i have for almost a decade, i can do just about everything, from edged, to wax hell i can even do base repair, i can get teh edge MUCH sharper when i do it myself, i used to do it 1x a week when i was raceing

i take them to the shop once a year because i dont have a base grinder, but other then that i do it all myself

 

[RaDragon]

Originally posted by: Anubis
i tune my skies myself, i have for almost a decade, i can do just about everything, from edged, to wax hell i can even do base repair, i can get teh edge MUCH sharper when i do it myself, i used to do it 1x a week when i was raceing

i take them to the shop once a year because i dont have a base grinder, but other then that i do it all myself

Anubis -- how often do you wax your skis?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: RaDragon

Originally posted by: Anubis
i tune my skies myself, i have for almost a decade, i can do just about everything, from edged, to wax hell i can even do base repair, i can get teh edge MUCH sharper when i do it myself, i used to do it 1x a week when i was raceing

i take them to the shop once a year because i dont have a base grinder, but other then that i do it all myself

Anubis -- how often do you wax your skis?

that really depends on a few things, type of skies, the current conditions and if i care or not,

i give them a coat of the all purpose wax stuff about every week or so, I apply the temp specific stuff when i know its gonna ber like -20 or like 40, different waxs for different temps

 

[Dragnov]

Twice a month? O_O Damn thats a lot of money, wish I could afford that. Though I never ever go boarding in packed granular or worse. Ack.

How often should you get your stuff waxed? Well it depends on what you're boarding on and how long you go, and how much you like to take care of your stuff. WIth current SoCal conditions I'd do it about once every 4 times or so. Nasty stuff out there. If you're still learning, no need to wax yet. In powder, you don't have to worry about it much either.

Don't waste your money and driving and end up @ Snow Valley.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Doing your own gear is no biggie. It's just time consuming. Especially for boards, seeing as you don't really have to worry bout the bindings, just make sure the screws aren't backing out. How often you wax and what kind of wax depends on how much you ride. Unless the temps are extreme (wicked cold or real warm) general purpose wax is fine. How often depends on how "dry" the base of your board is. You can tell it's getting "dry" when you look at it and it's starting to look lighter in color and may even feel a little "fuzzy". That's the best way I can describe it. Just go to a local shop and have them show you a dry base and a freshly waxed base. You really don't have to do it that often normally. If you do wax, make sure you scrape it VERY well. And after scraping, I've found a LIGHT scrubbing with those green 3M scour pads works wonders. Remember, when waxing or doing edges, ALWAYS move from tip to tail.
j

 

[AVP]

If you are only gonna go a few times a month then it really wont matter. I go a lot more than that and only get work done on my board once a year if that. You dont really notice the difference all that much since (well at least year in the n.e.) condititions are so varied. Honestly dont let anyone tell you to get some professional wax and grind job every few months, especially since you are still getting the hang of it. If you go more often you may find certain conditions and wax types more to your liking. just my two cents. Have fun.

 

[clamum]

For how much you will be going, one hot waxing will do, then maybe get some rub-on wax and do it yourself later in the year.

I used to snowboard quite a bit and got only one hot wax in a year, if that, and just used rub on wax throughout the year. Worked fine for me.

 

[RaDragon]

Wow -- you guys rock! Thanks for the feedback.

Dragnov - I want to go to as much ski resorts in the area to find out how nice/ugly it is; I have a coupon for a $15 lift ticket to Snow Valley (so that, plus a full tank of gas) hopefully isn't too bad Check out the other places here (e.g., pics).

I just inspected my snowboard, and there's a groove here and there in the base. Should I get that filled-in, or it's prolly not as "deep" as I think it is... I suppose the best thing for me now is just go to a professional and have it hand-waxed. Before the season began, I only had them "machine-wax" it because I didn't wanna wait 3-days for a hand wax...

I found a site that "teaches" you how to wax your own board, but that involves using an iron, etc. and I think I'll just try that next season.

Thanks so much again. If you ever run into me (or me into you -- literally) in the mountains, don't be afraid to say "Hi". I'm the little Asian girl with the "Bad Lieutenant" helmet

 

[Dragnov]

Your board will get scratches and grooves no matter what you do. Especially in conditions like now. Probably dirt, rocks, and shrubs sticking out. Just let em be.

I'm just saying Snow Valley isn't worth it because if you're gong to drive all the way up to Big Bear just for that place, it ain't worth the gas. If you're still learning I guess its okay, but I say might as well drive a few more miles up to Snow Summit and Beart Mountain. Snow Valley is just so small, short, and more like a hill than a mountain.

I really like Bear Mountain & Snow Summit, but the drive is long. A lot of people like Mountain High because it's close, easy driving, and it has a good terrain park, but its generally more crowded and snow isnt as good. Mt Baldy is nice after a good snow dump (otherwise it sucks), and their lifts are incredibly horrible but its REAL close. Nothing matches up to Tahoe and Mammoth, but man its so expensive and so far.

 

[RaDragon]

Originally posted by: Dragnov
I'm just saying Snow Valley isn't worth it because if you're gong to drive all the way up to Big Bear just for that place, it ain't worth the gas. If you're still learning I guess its okay, but I say might as well drive a few more miles up to Snow Summit and Beart Mountain. Snow Valley is just so small, short, and more like a hill than a mountain.

Actually, when I went to Ski Dazzle, there was a Snow Valley booth there and they were saying that what people see on the road up to Big Bear is only a portion of the mountain. What they don't see are the lifts that go up to the apex (around 7800 feet). Check out their trail map if you don't believe me, then head-down to Del Taco and pickup a "coupon" for $15 Lift tickets on Wednesdays

Originally posted by: Dragnov
I really like Bear Mountain & Snow Summit, but the drive is long. A lot of people like Mountain High because it's close, easy driving, and it has a good terrain park, but its generally more crowded and snow isnt as good. Mt Baldy is nice after a good snow dump (otherwise it sucks), and their lifts are incredibly horrible but its REAL close. Nothing matches up to Tahoe and Mammoth, but man its so expensive and so far.

I'm going to Mammoth at the end of the month! I'm soooo excited (but yes, it's far).