 Poster: A snowHead
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Keeping it simple ...
1. During the period I was equipment editor of a UK ski magazine (1984-95) there were advances in plastics, producing 'sintered' (compressed, high density) ski bases that required less wax. These advances in plastics are progressive, though there are still (for example) specific snow temperatures and crystalline qualities that demand wax. I strongly recommend carrying a small block of wax for those days when fresh snow falls with high humidity and stickiness (not far below zero). Rubbing skis down with a block takes a couple of minutes and transforms their sliding - the bases simply won't grab at the snow.
As for hot-waxing with an iron, there's a ridiculous tradition (cost, pollutant) of scraping down afterwards. Apply the minimum (a wax-saturated J-cloth under the iron is one method) as a fine film, and the waste of scraping is minimised.
Wikipedia has a good summary on points relevant to wax evasion ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski_wax
2. "Some authors question the necessity to use any glide waxes on modern ski base" [see footnotes]
3. Health impacts: "Ski wax can contain toxic chemicals including perfluorinated chemicals. Levels of perfluorinated carboxylates, especially perfluorooctanoic acid, are known to increase dramatically in ski wax technicians during the ski season.[13] PFOA, in particular, is known to be stable in the environment and to cause cancer, birth defects, thyroid dysfunction"
4. Environmental impacts: "When skiing, the friction between the snow and skis will cause the wax to rub off on the snow and sorb to the snow grain surface and particles in the bulk snow. The wax is released in the snowmelt in pulses depending on the hydrophobicity of the chemicals in the wax and the age of the snowpack, ending up on the soil surface.[17] This snowmelt drains into watersheds, streams, lakes and rivers, with the potential to contaminate and harm both the environment and its inhabitants."
Should this be discussed?
Or should the whole matter be swept under the piste? It's general election day in the UK, and in recent weeks I've been researching what the major parties are saying about this subject:
Liberal Democrats
"Liberal Democrats will raise an extra £6 billion a year by tackling wax avoidance, and use it to balance the books by 2017-18."
http://www.libdems.org.uk/tax-avoidance
Labour
"Labour to raise £7.5bn from wax avoiders"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32271846
Conservatives
"A crackdown on wax evasion and the "aggressive" avoidance of wax"
Hopefully this post qualifies under 'skiing relevance' and this post can stay where it is.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 8-05-15 10:15; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Step away from the keyboard, put down your mouse. Open the curtains and go outside.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Yo, Athers. I'm off to vote!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| David Goldsmith wrote: |
I strongly recommend carrying a small block of wax for those days when fresh snow falls with high humidity and stickiness (not far below zero). Rubbing skis down with a block takes a couple of minutes and transforms their sliding - the bases simply won't grab at the snow.
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David, carrying a small block of wax with you is so old school! These days using Notwax is where it's at. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I get my butler to carry my wax. Why on earth would one do otherwise? 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@David Goldsmith, I didn't get it, is this debate about your politics or about skis and waxing? If it's about skis and waxing, you got it totally wrong in pretty much all points. If it's about UK politics and elections, well in that case I don't care about it
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@David Goldsmith, I think you've got too much wax in your ears when it should be on your bases
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You know it makes sense.
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I'm with Sturgeon................ Not just within bonny Scotland, but all developed nations need to employ a national increase in waxing and waxes demanding that all citizens, from age ten on wax their fair share each and every day of the year. No greater contribution to society-in-general outside of community service can be demonstrated other than to wax each and every day. Corporations and those of high income must lead the way and be made to wax the greatest amount. But this should not allow those of lower income - or full welfare - to not wax their fare share. A well waxed nation is a strong and vibrant nation.
Waxing Macht Frei!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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FAQ
