THEN AND NOW Ski Tuning

By Dana Sterling

Avariety of files were used to shape and sharpen edges and wide belt sanders were used to level and smooth bases. An old iron was used to melt wax into the base and a large torque wrench was used to test binding release values. For some even older-school tuners, it goes much further back but, you get the idea.

Regardless of the different eras of ski tuning methods or a tuners approach, the concept and purpose for tuning has not changed. A ski is only as fun and responsive as the tune it has and the condition it is in. Ski tuning is both an art and a science. It requires a trained eye and familiarity of both the ski and the skier.

Today’s modern skis require a high level of postproduction finishing and maintenance to get the full performance out of the equipment, not to mention, when deterioration or damage from use sets in. As the sport and equipment evolve each year, so has the service shop’s ability to take the equipment’s performance, and the skiers experience, to higher levels through a more sophisticated approach with highly advanced machinery.

For the evolved shop and technician, gone are the long sessions of pulling file, sanding bases, and using an old iron to wax again and again, or a torque wrench for binding testing. Nowadays, edges are shaped and polished with a computer controlled high speed ceramic disk and bases are leveled and structured with a digitally controlled multi axis stone grinder. Wax is introduced into the ski using hot wax and infrared technology and yes, binding testing is done on a laser referenced, computer controlled binding tester.

For your skis, all this techno babble (and a good technician) translates into more precise, sharper, and longer lasting edge angles. Faster, more durable bases which in turn deliver better maneuverability and glide with less skier effort. Who wouldn’t want that? For your boot-bindings system, it translates into more consistent and accurate release values, which can reduce the likelihood of those dreaded injuries. If you prefer to dig into the details, your local technician should be glad to bore you with language that you might not want to know or care about.

Make no mistake, the ultimate ski service machine tool does the heavy lifting but there is still some hand-finishing involved post machine work that requires experience and a steady hand to further customize the product to the skier.

To consistently produce a quality product, it demands years of quality tuning experience and a trained eye, but it also requires the ability and commitment to be proficient in programing, processing, calibrating, and maintaining this sophisticated machinery. Not to mention a substantial financial commitment! This approach is a far cry from days of old, but one must thrive in this environment of precision in order to produce the highest-level product.

One should expect to find this level of commitment and service at the best shops, including where I hang my hat at Sturtevants in Sun Valley. We take the time to understand and recommend a service, on an individual basis, because we embrace the range of unique ways we ski and the resulting preferences in our equipment. Therefore, we process skis individually, rather than the cookie cutter method. Expert or beginner, aggressive or cautious, groomed runs or the backcountry, old school or new school, we customize the tune for the need because the best skier is the one with the biggest smile on their face! F

Dana Sterling Technical Ski Service Advisor, Sturtevants of Sun Valley