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Snow temperatures and wax

6K views 14 replies 5 participants last post by  jamman 
#1 ·
i bought burton wax which says that is for 0 to - 10 , soo if the atmosphere temp is like 10 .. what would the snow temp be ? and if its not 0 to -10 , how would that effect my riding ?
 
#2 ·
The wax is going to not have as much glide is about all I can say. If the temps are really warm, it could be awfully grabby. Right now is a tough time of year around here. We are getting a lot of warm temps were spring wax works quite well. Of course the next day it can dump and be in the single digits. Spring wax doesn't work so hot in that.
All temperature wax does a good job of being the jack of all trades but as the saying goes master of none.
 
#6 ·
Wax is measured in snow temperature, not air temperature. Yes, snow can get colder than 32F, It sounds like you got some basic All temperature wax (32F to 14F), It's the jack of all trades. Considering the temperatures you have on your mountain, it should work perfectly fine.
 
#7 ·
I've got some good waxes for different temps, but the temp breaks are always right at the temp on the hill. I'm guessing that if I have to choose, I should probably go with the colder wax.

Like today....we got 20 cm overnight, the temp on the hill has been hovering between -8 to -12 all day. My mid-range wax is -7/-10, the next one is -10 or colder. Probably not that big a deal, but I'm standing here with a hot iron and 2 blocks of wax....
 
G
#8 ·
If you have any snowmelt, temp for the snow is going to be at or around 32F, 0C. If there is no snowmelt and it's cold enough outside, you'll have temps going below 32F - given this, supposed an air temp of about -10F, the snow will eventually get to -10F if there is nothing else affecting it, but there is ground heat, wind chill, etc. If you've got a large base, ground heat is only going to affect the bottom layers, which you'll never contact.
Lastly to consider, if the slope is a high traffic area, the friction of skis/boards/bodies is going to be heating and melting significant amounts of snow, so your snow temp will be higher than your -10F air temp.
Based on these factors, I'd say given a -10F air temp, your snow is probably around 0 to 10F with the sun out. But that's a total WAG (wild a** guess), and the best thing you can do is just walk outside and stick a thermometer in the snow - much easier, much more accurate :)
 
#9 ·
If in doubt, take a block of all temp wax, and mix it with either cold or warm, depending on weather or not it snowed or if it's melting (if that makes any sense.) That generally provides room for error of it is a bit warmer or cooler than the temp of block of wax.

As for figuring out what type of wax to use, it's typically determined by snow and not air temp.
 
#10 ·
I guess I should say I go by air temp, since I am not near the snow when I am waxing anyway. Also, if you are going to have cold outside temps, you bet the surface of the snow is going to be cold and vice a versa. How many people carry a snow thermometer anyway? I doubt very many do.
 
#12 ·
How many people carry a "normal themometer" that they can stick in the snow. The big "dial" style of themometer isn't exactly a standard item you carry. I guess one for seeing if you have a fever would work. Again, not much help if you're waxing before you show up to the hill...

*slaps boarderaholic upside the head*
 
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