Definition

1. Noun:
   • A substance applied to the base of skis: "ski wax" refers to a specialized wax product designed to be applied to the underside of skis. Its primary functions are to reduce friction with the snow, protect the ski base, and provide control over glide and grip depending on snow conditions and the skier's technique.

Usage

• Noun:
  • Applying the correct ski wax is essential for a smooth and fast descent.
  • Different types of ski wax are formulated for varying snow temperatures.
  • The racer spent an hour meticulously applying ski wax before the competition.

Advanced Usage

• "to hot-wax skis": A process where ski wax is melted and ironed into the ski base for deep penetration and long-lasting effect.
  • For optimal performance, you should hot-wax your skis regularly rather than just using a rub-on wax.

Variants and Related Words

• Waxing (n): The act or process of applying wax to skis.
  • Waxing your skis is an important part of ski maintenance.
• Glide wax (n): A type of ski wax applied to the entire ski base to reduce friction and increase speed.
• Grip wax / kick wax (n): A type of ski wax applied to the middle section (kick zone) of cross-country skis to provide traction for pushing off.

Synonyms

• Ski base preparation compound: A more technical term for substances used to treat ski bases.
• Ski glide enhancer: Describes the primary function of glide waxes.

Related Phrases

• "to wax one's skis": To apply ski wax.
  • Before a big trip, I always wax my skis carefully.
• "to scrape and brush": The final steps after hot-waxing, involving removing excess cooled wax with a plastic scraper and then brushing the base to structure it.
  • After the wax cools, the next steps are to scrape and brush the base for a perfect finish.

Noun

1. wax used on the bottom of skis