Bike:
Bike:
Winter Frequently Asked Questions
What about using kick wax on telemark skis for touring?
Here is where backcountry telemarkers delve briefly into the arcane nordic art of waxing for kick. Many of us have never entertained this option because we are, for reasons unknown, firmly attached to the hand-numbing rituals of climbing skins. If you’ve ever been easily passed by nordic skiers as you grunt and shuffle your way over a long, rolling approach, then waxing for kick could be your new favorite thing.
The basic principles and techniques are the same as nordic kick waxing, so examine that section for further technical insight. In this case, don’t attempt to create an artificial “kick zone” by rubbing wax only underneath the ski bindings; there’s no kick zone on a single-cambered ski. If you attempt to autocratically impose one, your skis will probably reward you with a well-deserved face plant or two. Instead crayon the wax along the entire length of the base, from tip to tail. This is the best way you’ll get the grip you need to make it worthwhile, but feel free to experiment. Bring along a plastic scraper and perhaps even some base cleaner to get the stuff off when you need to. You’ll find that you glide farther and faster than your skin-shod buddies and can manage nice turns on downhill pitches where climbing skins tend to hang up. When you get to the steep stuff, just slap the skins right over the wax if you want (or you can scrape and clean if you’ll no longer need it). Though this technique will not have you gleefully crusing around the local golf course in a full-body spandex suit, it will certainly open up possiblities for day-trips you may have shied away from when climbing skins were the end-all-be-all.
