What's Included in a Ski Service? A Complete Guide
Updated: 6 days ago
If you've had your skis or snowboard sitting in the garage since last season, there's a good chance they need some attention before they're ready for the slopes again. But "ski servicing" covers a lot of ground, and different shops and technicians offer quite different things under that same label. Before you book anywhere, it's worth knowing what a service actually involves and what you should expect for your money.
In this guide we'll run through the main types of ski servicing you're likely to come across, then explain exactly what's included when you book with us here at Ski Service London.
The different types of ski servicing
Ski servicing can mean anything from a simple wax to a full repair of a blown out edge, and most technicians will offer a few variations depending on what your equipment needs.
At the simpler end, you've got wax-only services, where a fresh layer of wax is applied to help your skis or board glide properly and stay protected from moisture. A fuller service includes edge sharpening, restoring the edges so you've got proper grip and control on hard-packed snow or ice. These are the two things that most people require on a yearly basis.
A fuller service usually combines waxing and edge work with some base repair, filling in any small scratches, gouges or dings that have built up in the base over time. Quick Answer: Our standard full service at Ski Service London include wax, edge and up to 3 minor base repairs with P-tex.
Then there's base grinding, sometimes called stone grinding, which uses a machine to flatten the base, remove deeper damage or reset the structure pattern that helps the ski glide. Some shops also offer binding mounting and adjustment as part of their service, fitting new bindings or checking release settings.
How each of these is carried out varies a lot between technicians. Some rely almost entirely on machines, while others do the bulk of the work by hand. This matters more than people often realise, and it's something we'll come back to shortly.
What's included in our standard service
Our standard service at Ski Service London costs £65 and covers three core things: waxing, edge sharpening, and minor base repair. Here's what each of those actually involves.
Waxing, done by hand
All of our waxing is done by hand using a hot waxing iron, rather than being run through a machine. The wax is melted onto the base and worked in evenly with the iron, then left to cool and set before it's scraped back and brushed out. Doing this by hand gives us much better control over temperature and coverage, so the wax is absorbed properly into the base without any risk of burning it, and you get a more even, longer-lasting finish.
Edge sharpening
Sharp, clean edges are what give you grip and control, particularly on firmer or icier snow. Over a season, edges pick up nicks and start to dull, which makes your skis feel vague and harder to hold on edge. We sharpen these back up by hand as standard, so your skis feel precise underfoot again. Do you have a desired edge angle? Let our technicians know when you make your booking, and we can accommodate.
Minor base repair with P-tex
Small scratches, scuffs and gouges in the base are normal wear and tear, and usually not a problem and won't affect the performance of the ski/board. Despite this we know customers want their equipment looking fresh and we will fill these if they are big enough to hold the p-tex.
Larger gouges can affect how the ski/board slides and if the core is exposed, some more serious damage can occur to the ski/board structure. These will need to be repaired using P-tex, which is melted and applied directly into the damaged area, then levelled off flush with the rest of the base.
Our standard £65 service includes up to three minor base repairs with P-tex. If your skis need more repair work than that, or there is a large gouge (sometimes called a core shot), we'll let you know and there may be an additional charge to cover the extra time and material involved.
Side note: what is P-tex? P-Tex (short for polyethylene) is the specialised plastic material used to make the base of skis and snowboards. It also comes in repair material form (often shaped into sticks or "candles") used to fill in scratches, gouges, and deep scrapes on those bases.
What about topside damage?
Honestly, this isn't usually something we see much of. Most of the wear that comes into us is on the base rather than the top of the ski or board. That said, when there is some minor damage to the topside, our standard service covers this too.
We seal any minor topside damage using epoxy glue. The main reason for this isn't cosmetic, it's to stop water getting into the core of the ski through the damaged area, which over time can cause much more serious problems than the original scratch or chip ever would. Depending on how much topside damage there is, there may be an additional charge, but for the vast majority of skis that come through our doors, this simply isn't an issue worth worrying about.
Why we don't use a base grinder as standard
Our servicing is done by hand rather than run through a base grinder as a matter of course. A lot of ski technicians and shops do use base grinding as part of their standard process, and there's nothing wrong with that as a technique, but we don't think it should be done to your skis very often.
The reason is simple: every time a base goes through a grinder, it removes a whole layer of material from the ski. Do this too regularly and you're gradually wearing down the equipment and shortening its useful life. In our view, it's only really necessary when a base is genuinely uneven or when the equipment is in poor enough condition that hand repair alone won't sort it out. For the vast majority of skis and boards that come in for a standard service, careful hand work does the job just as well, without taking material off your equipment that you'll never get back. If we think you need a base grind, we will let you know before performing any work. If you want your equipment reviewed before dropping it off. Feel free to send us a picture of our WhatsApp.
We don't work on bindings
One thing worth flagging clearly: our service covers the ski or snowboard itself, not the bindings. We don't carry out any binding work at all, whether that's mounting, adjustment, or repair.
This is mainly for insurance reasons but also, due to the size of our workshops, we do not carry the equipment to be able to fix or mount bindings. Our speciality is the condition of the ski or board itself including the base and edges. If you believe your bindings are damaged then we advise to contact a local ski technician on the mountain.
Pricing and turnaround
Our standard service is £65 and includes hand waxing with a hot iron, edge sharpening, up to three minor base repairs with P-tex, and minor topside damage repair sealed with epoxy. Turnaround can be as quick as a few hours, or take a few days, depending on how urgent your request is and how busy we are at the time.
If you need your skis back quickly, just let us know when you book and we'll always do our best to accommodate you.
Don't have time to get to us? Enquire about our collection and delivery service.
Book early to beat the winter rush
If you're planning on getting your skis or board serviced ahead of a trip, we'd really recommend getting them booked in with us before January. Once the season is in full swing, we get much busier, and that can mean longer waits and less flexibility around timing.
Booking early, ideally before the peak winter period hits, means we're able to fit your service in sooner and with far less pressure on scheduling. It also means you're not left scrambling for an appointment the week before you're due to travel.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove the bindings of my snowboard before I drop it off?
Yes, please, if you're able to. It makes the whole process quicker and easier for us to get on with the service. If you're not able to remove them yourself, that's not a problem, just let us know when you make your booking so we can make the necessary arrangements.
How much does a standard ski service cost?
Our standard service is £65 and includes hand waxing, edge sharpening, and minor base repair x 3. How often should I get my skis waxed?
It depends on various things including weather/snow conditions, how hard you ski/ride and the age of the ski. If you are living in London and go skiing once a year (for a week), we would highly recommend getting your skis serviced every year (and ideally do this after your trip so the skis stay fresh all summer until the next season). Read more on that here.
How long will my service take?
It depends on urgency. We can sometimes turn a service around in just a few hours, though it can take a few days depending on how busy we are. Servicing outside of peak season tends to be much quicker, so it's worth bearing that in mind if timing matters to you.
How many base repairs are included in the price?
Up to three minor base repairs with P-tex are included as standard. If your skis need more than that, we'll talk you through it and there may be an additional charge.
Will you fix damage to the top of my skis?
Yes. Minor topside damage is sealed with epoxy glue to stop water getting into the core. This isn't usually a major issue on most skis we service, though there may be an additional charge depending on the extent of the damage.
Do you work on bindings?
No, our service is for the ski or snowboard itself only. We don't carry out any binding work, so if you need bindings adjusted, mounted or repaired, that will need to be arranged separately.
Do you use a base grinder?
No. Our servicing is done by hand, including waxing and base repair. We don't recommend having a base grinder used on your skis very often, as it removes a layer of material each time and shortens the equipment's lifespan. It's really only necessary if your base is uneven or your equipment is in poor condition.
If you've got any questions about what your skis or board might need, or you'd like to get a service booked in, get in touch with us at Ski Service London via contact form or whatsapp. And if you're planning ahead for the season, remember: the earlier you book, the easier it is for us to get your equipment ready and back to you quickly. Alex
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