The Snow Dental pre-season tune — what we do, what you can do
Every ski and snowboard that leaves our Nottingham workshop has been through the same five-step pre-season tune. We're sharing the full workflow here because (a) we like nerds, and (b) once you've ridden a properly tuned pair of skis you'll never go back. The whole job takes about 90 minutes per pair, less if you skip the structure brush.
Step 1: deep base clean
Bases pick up dust, fibres and old wax over the summer. Before any work happens we strip the base with a citrus-based cleaner and a brass brush in the direction of travel. If the base looks white and dry on inspection, it's thirsty for wax.
Step 2: edge bevel
Our standard angle for general all-mountain skis is 1° side bevel, 0.5° base bevel. Race skis get more aggressive (3° side, 0.7° base). We use a side-edge file guide and finish with a diamond stone (200 grit, then 400 grit). The goal is a burr-free, hair-sharp edge that bites on icy patches but releases cleanly when you flatten the ski.
Step 3: hot wax
Pre-season we always run a universal hardness wax at around 130 °C (paraffin-based, no fluoro on our line). Drip on, iron in slowly so the base never smokes, let it cool for 30 minutes, then scrape with a plastic scraper at a 45° angle. One pass with a nylon brush, one with a horsehair brush. Don't skimp on the brushing — it's where the speed actually comes from.
Step 4: binding torque check
Every binding leaves the shop with screws tightened to manufacturer torque (typically 4.5–6 Nm depending on plate). We also re-test the release setting at the indicated DIN with a calibrated lever. If you've adjusted your boots over the summer, recheck the DIN — boot toe length changes affect lateral release.
Step 5: structure (optional)
For warm, wet snow we run a slightly more aggressive structure with a brass-bristle brush in two passes. Skip this for cold dry conditions — finer structure is faster.
Tools you'll need at home
- Bench vice or ski vice
- Edge file guide + 8" mill bastard file
- Diamond stones (200, 400 grit)
- Waxing iron with adjustable thermostat (NOT a clothes iron)
- Universal paraffin wax bar (~150 g per pair)
- Plastic scraper + brass brush + horsehair brush
Or let us do it
If you'd rather hand it to a workshop, every ski and snowboard listed on skis with bindings and snowboards already ships with the full five-step service for no extra charge. Open the box, click into bindings, ride.