Wax

Waxing the base of a ski/board is important for the performance and protection of the equipment.  Hot waxing is the most effective way to apply wax to the base.  A base has many pores and, just like leather or your skin, a base can dry out.  This dryness is white, flaky and usually shows up on the edges first.  In the hot waxing process the base is heated opening the pores which draw the wax in.  Excess wax not sucked into the base dries on the base surface and is scraped off leaving a smooth gliding surface that also helps to protect the base from damage.  This is the same way you would use a leather treatment or lotion, only bases of skis/snowboards need wax.  Through use, wax wears off and needs to be reapplied.  The frequency of hot waxing depends on snow conditions and use.  It is important to note that applying wax to the base by rubbing it on without using any heat to open up the pores leaves that wax on the base surface.  Wax on the surface of the base and not in the pores rubs off quickly and offers little protection for the base.  Furthermore, bases left without wax in them to long will dry out and not accept new wax.

Waxes vary in content to optimize snow conditions.  More critical in cross county skiing and racing, having the right temperature of wax on provides better glide.  Even no-wax cross country skis need glide wax on their tips and tails.  No-wax refers to the middle portion of the ski which has scales to grip the snow and provide kick rather using than sticky waxes or klister for grip.

Edges

Metal edged skis/snowboards need sharpening from time to time.  The Stable Quiver uses a variety of files to keep edges sharp and recommends a sharpening every few hot waxes.  Sliding over trees, rocks and other terrain obstacles is hard on edges. 

Core Repairs

The core of a ski/snowboard is what the inside is made from.  When damage to the base or topsheet occurs exposing the core, the Stable Quiver can take action to prevent further damage.  Without prevention, moisture will find its way into the core and cause more damage.

Hot Boxing

A ski/snowboard base needs to be hot waxed, in some cases, 100 times before it reaches its full gliding potential.  Each hot waxing drives wax deeper and fills more pores of the base.  Hot boxing is a technique of waxing that is equivalent to maybe 20 individual hot waxes.  First the skis/board bases are saturated with wax then they are placed into a custom made oven and cooked at 150 degrees for 8 hours.  Any wax left on the base surface after hot boxing is scraped off and the ski is then hot waxed with an iron.