How to sharpen your own skis

Sharp skis will help in carving the perfect turn on the slops. Sharpening your skis can be done with four tools. An 8” file, brake retainers that hold the brakes up and out of the way, ski vises to hold the skis in place and a polishing stones. There are other tools to use that can make it easier and help with getting a more accurate edge angle.

Step 1: Determine what edge angles you would like, most skies have beveled edges. The base edge can have a 0.5 to 1.0 degree for slalom, giant slalom and recreational skiers and 2.0 to 4.0 degree for super giant slalom and down hill skis. The manufacturer has angles they put on the skis from the factory and you can stay with those angles. The side edge can be 1.0 to 5.0 degrees it is up to you and what you like.

Step 2: You will need to put a brake retainer on to hold the brakes up and out of the way. You can use thick rubber bands to do this. Position the ski in your ski vise with the base facing up and rub a stone along the base edge to remove burrs and nicks.

Step 3: Place the file flat against the base edge and file the base edge from tip to tail using even strokes 10 to 20 inch and overlap the previous segment. To make sure you have the right base edge angle you can use a base edge file guide like the Base Beast. The Base Beast does one edge at a time. So you have to repeat the process for the other edge.

Step 4: Turn the ski on its side and hold the file against the side edge and pull or push using even strokes 10 to 20 inch and overlap the previous segment. Repeat for all of the side edges on each ski. To make sure you are holding the file at the right angle you can use a Side of Beast tool for your side edges.

Step 5: After filing the edges you will need to Polish the base and side edge with a medium stone and then a fine stone like the Swix Diamond stone or the Beast Premium Diamond stone or ceramic stones. The stones will fit in the Beast base and side of beast.

Step 6: You will see metal filings on your base. You can brush them out with brass brush to clean the base. Wipe the skis clean and you are ready to wax your skis.
This should get you started with ski tuning. With sharp edges and waxed skis it will make skiing easier.

Paul Corey is a ski instructor and owner of www.skiwaxstore.com