Are you supposed to bring in your skis every year for a tune up at the shop?

Question

Are you supposed to bring in your skis every year for a tune up at the shop?

Answer 1

it honestly depends on what you do with them if you race once a year is not enough you would want them done before ever race. if you are snow plowing down the hill once a year is fine. ever once and a while check the base of your skis to make sure that there is not too many scratches and nicks because they slow you down as well eating away at the ski when they get wax. also make sure there is no rust on your skis and as soon as you see some go get your edges sharpened because most ski companies will not replace your skis in the edge breaks away from the base because there is rust.

thats all

Answer 2

Yes. Once a year check up/tune up is very necessary. That's the very least you do. Here are the reasons:

1) Bindings safety

People may gain or lose weight or move up level so sometimes the bindings' tension settings have to be checked/adjusted at the beginning of the season. If you walk on your boots a lot, the soles wear off and so the bindings may need to get adjusted to accomodate the wear off. It is also necessary to check vertical and horizontal tightness of the toe pieces. Lastly you need to have them dismounting tested at a shop. These are all for safety purpose. Not doing so increases risk of injuries.

2) Edge sharpness

Ski edges become dull after you ski them a while so they need to be sharpened otherwise their performance is bad. The more often you ski, the more aggressive you ski, and the harder the snow means the more often you need to sharpen the edges. I sharpen them every 3-7 days of skiing depending on those factors I mentioned. I just feel them with my fingers. When they are not sharp, I sharpen them. Learn to test the sharpness and to sharpen the edges yourself, it is a very useful thing to know.

3) Base fixes

Sometimes ski base gets damaged after hitting rocks or simply from scratching each other. When there is damage, its performance goes down. And, when the ski core gets exposed by the damage, do not use it before fixing it. Water will sip in and destroy your skis. Fixes can range from simple p-tex filling to base patching and hot welding.

4) Waxing

Waxing is always a good thing. It smoothens your skiing and quickens your turning. Wax your skis every 1-2 days of skiing. At the very least use the simple rub wax, which only takes few minutes. Iron waxing or belt waxing at a shop is better, of course.

I ski and snowboard a lot so I do all the above myself except for bindings dismounting testing and belt waxing. These are not rocket science stuff but you really have to be very accurate on everything, especially on bindings safety. If you are not sure, just take your skis to a good ski shop.

Answer 3

it depends on how often you use them, conditions, and if you are rough on your skis. personally, i race so i tune them each week before my race. but this can be rather exepensive which is why i have all the equipment necessary (iron, files, bevel, brush, etc.) So if you're bringing them to a shop, i would bring them as often as you can afford or  twice a year if you aren't a person who skis often, is rough (rough meaning lots of damaging side trails), or races.

Answer 4

You really should. It helps keep the edges sharp and surfaces true. I would take my skis in every year at least once and more if I had skied a lot on hard packed or icy trails. Between trips i would wax them myself for the temperature and show conditions.

Have fun in the snow and hope for fresh powder to your knees!

Answer 5

it depends on how much you use them.  if you go alot and you race, then you may want to, if you go casually then every few years would be fine.

Answer 6

Supposed to: No

Recommended: Yes

Good to get them checked out prior to using them.  Get the bindings adjusted / tightened, the edges cleaned / sharpened, the bases p-tex'ed (if needed) and waxed, and check the laminate for any signs of wear or de-laming that may cause additional problems.

Answer 7

Yes.

It wouldn't hurt to do this twice a year, at the beginning and end of the season.

If you live in the east, and ski frequently, you should have your edges tuned once a month or so.