Do Skis Get Blunt?
Skiers debate how much edge sharpening and waxing actually affect performance, especially after a claimed “retired Olympic ski tuner” suggested properly dried skis stay sharp for life. Experienced racers and icy‑conditions skiers report a stark difference in control and safety with freshly tuned edges—citing specific bevel angles, daily maintenance routines, and the extreme hardness of race surfaces—while many recreational and powder skiers say they barely notice and can go seasons without tuning. The exchange highlights how snow conditions, skiing style, and skill level determine whether precise edge tuning is essential, a nice‑to‑have, or largely irrelevant.
Do edges get blunt and does it matter?
- Most agree metal edges do dull from snow, ice, grit, rocks, and handling.
- On hardpack and ice, sharp edges can make the difference between “scary vs fun” or “impossible vs controllable,” especially for carving and racing.
- Some skiers report little to no subjective difference even after tunes, especially on softer snow or at moderate speeds.
- There’s debate whether fine-tuning angles vs simple “fresh sharpness” is what’s really felt.
Conditions, terrain, and skier skill
- Edges matter far more on icy groomers, in the Northeast/“ice coast,” on man‑made or water‑injected race surfaces, and in steep ski mountaineering terrain.
- In powder, soft snow, or for slow “slide turns,” edge sharpness matters less.
- High‑level carvers and racers are very sensitive to bevels and sharpness; many casual and intermediate skiers skid rather than carve and may benefit from slightly duller, more forgiving edges.
- Park skiers often deliberately detune edges; halfpipe and high‑speed park riding may still want some grip.
Tuning practices and frequency
- Racers and race parents: edges and wax every few runs to every couple of days; very specific bevels (e.g., 0–0.75° base, 2–4° side).
- Recreational: from “once per season or less” to light daily touch‑ups with stones; consensus that frequent heavy filing shortens ski life.
- Backcountry: some see sharp edges as critical on steep icy slopes; others mostly tour in soft snow and rarely edge.
Home tuning vs shop services
- Simple maintenance with diamond and gummy stones is seen as manageable and effective once base/side angles are set.
- Full base grinds and angle changes are harder; some report “destroying” skis at home and prefer $40 shop tunes.
- Shops can also mis-tune (wrong angles), and repeated machine tunes consume base and edge material.
Wax, base structure, and other factors
- Many say edges and boots matter more for control than wax; wax and base structure matter for speed and preventing base drying.
- Structure and proper brushing after waxing can affect glide more than wax type in many cases.
- Fluorinated race waxes were effective but raise PFAS health concerns; now banned in FIS races.
Safety and other topics
- Binding release checks are highlighted as critical, especially on older gear.
- Some criticize the article for weak methodology and overemphasis on corrosion vs mechanical wear; others see it as useful for illustrating that polishing can restore edges without full grinds.
- Open/unclear: precise wear rate of edges under different conditions; how much of perceived difference is skill vs equipment.