While browsing around at the Orleans Nordic Ski Club website I came across a quick set of tips for getting your cross country skis ready for the upcoming season, which will hopefully arrive along with a few feet of fresh snow any day now! Whatever you’ve done with your skis on the off-season, it’s time to get them into shape and here’s how to do it.

From he ONSC FAQ:

The Worst Case Scenario

Your skis were put in the corner of the garage or the basement after your last outing of the 10/11 season. They still have the wax of the day on them and, if you were unlucky enough for that to have been klister wax , you now have orange peel and styrofoam bits  on your skis.

• Step 1:  Clean your skis.
  Use a plastic scraper and a hair dryer to mechanically remove as much dirt as possible. If necessary, use a citrus solvent and a lint free cloth to get the remaining dirt. Don’t forget to clean the side walls of your skis.

The Best Case Scenario

Your skis were cleaned in the spring, summer wax was applied and they have been properly stored.

• Step 1: Remove the summer wax.
  Using a sharp plastic scraper and, if you have one, a groove scraper, remove all the summer wax from your skis; don’t forget the side walls of your skis.
• Step 2: clean your bindings.
  Using silicon spray ..clean out the dirt that may be in the binding mechanism and lubricate the binding with light machine oil or silicone spray .
• Step 3: check your poles.
  Check the straps to see if there is any wear. If yes, bring them to a shoe repair shop to have them repaired or, replace them. You can use a file to sharpen the ski tips.
• Step 4: clean your boots.
  Use a clean cloth and silicon spray to clean the bottoms of your boots. Check the laces and replace if necessary.
• Step 5: Wax your skis.
  If you are working on classic skis , wax less skis or skate skis,  you want to apply glide wax to the glide zones of your skis . Easiest way? A glide wipe ( like a baby bottom wipe!) applied to the glide zone .. let it dry for at least 2 minutes. Next easiest? Use a glide wax in an aerosol can . Least easy? With the aid of an iron, apply glide wax ( blue glide wax is probably best for those without the entire range of waxes) to the base of your ski in the glide zone , scrape with a plastic scraper, brush with a nylon and horsehair brush ( or both) and the glide zones are ready. For classic skis, apply the wax of the day and you are ready to go!

Makes getting your skis ready seem pretty straight forward, eh? For more info, including how to get your new skis ready for the season, read more from the Orleans Nordic Ski Club FAQ.