Do new skis need to be tuned?

[Greg]

Do you need to get a brand new set of skis tuned? I would imagine the bases out of the factory could use wax, but do the edges need sharpening as well?

[SKIQUATTRO]

yes, due to the ski manufacturing process and temp swings, most new skis need to be base flattend and tuned and the factory wax is garbage. Take a true bar to your bases with a backlight and if you see the light between the true bar and the base, then your bases need to be flattened. So yes, new skis need a tune...i had an argument with the tech when i picked up my Atomics regarding base flattening (he said my were flat, he did it himself) so i grabed the owner and did the true bar test with him there in the back of the shop, needless to say, that tech was fired right there and he offered me a job !! (true story)

[thetrailboss]

Yes, add a coat of wax at the very least.

[kbroderick]

The edges may or may not be at a bevel that you'd find desirable, so you'd be well-advised to do a full tune (in addition to concerns regarding base flatness mentioned above).

[awf170]

I have heard that factory tuned skis have protective wax on them, noy skiing wax. Not sure if this is true or not, but last year I skied my skis without re-waxing for the first time and it felt like I had glue on the bottom of my skis. So yes I would say wax before you ski.

[SKIQUATTRO]

with all the skis that the manufactures are putting out, you really think they are putting good wax on those puppies?? They slap on the cheapest stuff the can if anything at all

[riverc0il]

folks who demanded top performance from their skis will want a tune. the average ski does not need to tune new skis. quite frankly, i am not the average skier and never tune new skis. then again, i go 10-12 days between tunes and don't wax my skis so don't listen to me regarding performance advice if i don't have a core shot or a blown edge at the end of the day, i am happy so who needs a tune with that type of attitude

[SKIQUATTRO]

Tognar Toolworks has a T-Shirt out.."Too many people go thru life with dull edges" Its true, even after one day on the slopes, your edges need some TLC. For such a pricey investment, its a shame more people dont spend the 5-10 min to keep them in shape inbetween runs.

[riverc0il]

a well tuned edge is pretty irrelevent when you spend most of your time skiing either over rocks or through powder i used to race and keep my edges sharpened and all that jazz. it really isn't as important when you are consistantly not skiing groomed snow. just isn't worth the time and money, and i know and can feel the difference in a good tune. just my opinion.

[NYDrew]

Originally Posted by SKIQUATTRO

yes, due to the ski manufacturing process and temp swings, most new skis need to be base flattend and tuned and the factory wax is garbage. Take a true bar to your bases with a backlight and if you see the light between the true bar and the base, then your bases need to be flattened. So yes, new skis need a tune...i had an argument with the tech when i picked up my Atomics regarding base flattening (he said my were flat, he did it himself) so i grabed the owner and did the true bar test with him there in the back of the shop, needless to say, that tech was fired right there and he offered me a job !! (true story)

For the most part, a factory edge is the best edge you'll ever get. Factory wax, thats your preference, I would rather not have HF on my base for the first few runs on new skiis.

As far as the atomics, you got an innocent man fired, and you should go track him down and apologize, then go smack the owner for being ignorant (your innocent, atomic should make this more public)

ATOMIC SKIIS ARE NOT FLAT BY DESIGN!!!!! The rails will be ever so slightly higher then the middle, but not on the shovel and very end of the tail. (light in middle of truebar, under foot)