If you are a skier or snowboarder you know the value in caring for your equipment. Proper care includes maintenance and all the things that contribute to the best and safest experience. The more you read and talk to people who know, you'll discover there are many things you can learn to do yourself. You might need the assistance of a pro when you first get started. This article discusses the top three tuning and waxing tips for any skier or snowboarder.

There are various reasons you should keep a good edge and wax job on your skis. Dull edges can cause you to fall so we're not only talking about performance but also safety. Dull ski edges can be a major bummer when you're skiing on ice because your skis won't be able to grip properly. You will end up falling more if your skis can't grip. The wax on your skis needs to be right for your conditions in addition to being properly applied. Temperatures can be a big factor, as well. You can be slowed down by the wax on your skis if it is too cold out for what you used. When making your plans, you should consider all of these factors.

The company that made your skis will tell you the best edge angle to use, so you should check this when you want to edge your skis. If you've been doing this for a while, you can set this according to your own preferences. Yet if you aren't sure about it, it's a good idea to follow the manufacturer's recommendation. The edge angle will usually vary from between one and three degrees. You may want to use a file guide in addition to the right kind of file. A file guide can make your job easier, though experts can do without it. After filing the edges, then you will do it over with a diamond stone. If the diamond stone is a little damp before you use it, it will work better.

Before you start you'll need to get as much of the old wax and residue off as you can. Get a good scraper to do this he best way possible. If you ski or ride on a lot of man-made snow, then be aware that the petroleum products in the man-made snow will leave a residue on your skis. You'd think a petroleum product would make you go faster down the slopes when in fact it does the opposite. Once in a while you'll hit a spot that feels just like dirt instead of snow. So get as much off your skis or board as possible, then clean the bottom with a solvent and cloth to remove any leftover residue.

Not everybody is going to take the trouble to wax and tune their equipment, of course. But it will make a big difference, so it's worth doing. Only you can be responsible for your own gear, though. At least use some wax on your bases, if nothing else. If you go out without using any wax, you'll soon understand what we're talking about!