Last night, at our Club Cabin, Christian Hillier from Sidecut hosted a tuning clinic. The importance of properly tuned skis can never be overemphasized. But to properly tune skis is an art, that can only be learned by listening to an expert and then tuning a lot of skis.
A properly tuned ski will turn better, will hold on ice, will be easier to pivot and will not track. Tracking is when the base is lower then the edges which then act like a railroad track, not allowing the skis to sideslip. The skis will also take you wherever they want!!
Skis properly tuned and waxed will perform on hard snow, slush or any snow conditions. But in order to sharpen your edges, several steps have to be performed first so the proper base and side edge angles are created.
Unfortunately, not enough importance is given to ski tuning. All those that attended surely learnt a great deal. I could see parents that last year was their first encounter with ski tuning asking interesting questions, and purchasing the right tools. I was sad that not enough parents and children took advantage of this opportunity.
But stay tuned!!!! We might have Christian again at our club Cabin. You can also access tuning clinics at Vancouver Ski Services www.vanski.com
