Ski wax protects the ski base from physical damage and prevents the ski base from oxidizing over time. Ski wax works by filling the pores of the ski base, reducing the friction between the surface of the ski base and the snow.

What does wax do to skis?

The wax protects skis from scratches in addition to giving them their glide. In warm weather, soft waxes based on petroleum wax repel slushy snow and keep skis gliding. On cold, hard snow, long-chain or branched alkanes protect the base of the ski, keeping it smooth and slick.

How long should you leave ski wax on?

Let the skis sit until the wax is cool, usually 30 minutes or more but the longer you leave them, the more the wax will soak into the base and fill all those grooves.