Fresh Air Nordic Ski Tuning Service
Fresh Air Experience offers a Stone Grinding and Wax Prep service for Cross Country Skis; using a Wintersteiger Sigma RS 350 Stone Grinder and dedicated Nordic diamond bit to “dress” the stone with the most appropriate structure for the snow conditions considered.
You can quite often tell that your skis are in need of stone grinding if the base turns ‘white’ very quickly after glide waxing, as well grinding can remove small scratches in the base.
Things you should know about your new or old skis.
Base Flatness
It is very important to have a flat ski base. Sometimes we will see new skis come into the shop that are not flat. Hot waxing and improper scraping will also impact the flatness of the base. A flat base with a proper grind (structure) will greatly improve glide, will offer a more stable platform and will be easier to control.
Base Structure
Structure of the base refers to tiny ridges and grooves that are mechanically pressed in to the base of a ski when the ski is guided over the stone. The grooves and ridges work to relieve surface tension created between the moisture in the snow and the base of the ski. The less tension between the two the faster and easier the ski will glide.
“Refreshing” the base with a grind will also improve wax absorption that is negatively impacted by:
- Scraping which will eventually work to blunt the structure.
- The use of high iron temperatures for glide waxes and powders tend to “seal” / “burn” the base.
The Stone Grinding Process:
Step 1: Clean the base of the skis.
Step 2: Blank and flatten the base of the ski.
Step 3: “Dress” the chosen structure into the stone with the Nordic diamond bit
Step 4: Pass the ski over the stone to deliver the structure into the base
Step 5: Remove any “hairy” base residue by hot scraping and brushing
Step 6: Hot Box with soft prep wax (optional)
Stone Grind w/ Post Grind Finish: Reg: $50.00 Telemark Racer Price: $35.00
Hot Box / wax finish: Reg: $30.00; Telemark Racer Price: $15.00
This Special Pricing is available for skis dropped off on or before December 13th only.
The ski grinder has to be specially prepared for nordic skis. Skis will be ready for pickup Monday afternoon December 14th.
Alternately skis can be given to coach Ross on December 13th after the Nor-Am with your name and phone number marked on the skis. If you have questions about your skis and whether they will benefit from stone grinding ask for Matt or Chris at Fresh-Air, or ask any of the Telemark coaches.
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