Grinding your skis isn’t just for elite athletes. But why grind your skis? And when, where, and how should you do it?

Many believe that professional ski grinding is something only elite racers and serious skiers use. However, a fresh grind can enhance your skiing experience, improve glide, and breathe new life into ski bases that have suffered scratches, gouges, or wear.

Langrenn.com spoke with Trond Fjerdingby from the ski grinding workshop at Oslo Sportslager to demystify the process. Oslo Sportslager’s workshop is one of Norway’s most renowned, providing grinding services for skiers nationwide.

What is Ski Grinding?

In short, ski grinding involves cutting a pattern, or structure, into the ski base using a grinding stone.

All skis come from the manufacturer with a standard universal grind. However, many skiers choose to have their skis professionally ground to better match their specific needs and snow conditions.

Both factory and specialized grinds differ from manual rilling. Manual rill refers to structures imprinted onto the ski base using a handheld tool, applied on top of an existing grind.

“When developing new grinds, our main focus is to create structures that are not too specific to certain snow types and temperatures but flexible enough for those who use just one pair of skis for all conditions,” says Fjerdingby.

“Many skiers also combine structured grinding with manual rill. In these cases, it’s important that the grind doesn’t negatively affect performance when used alongside rill.”

What’s Wrong with the Factory Grind?

“There’s nothing wrong with it—ski manufacturers take this seriously. However, standard factory grinds are mass-produced in large batches, often with skis going through three grinding stones in a row. This can lead to noticeable variations even within the same batch,” explains Fjerdingby.

A professional workshop grind ensures your skis receive a structure tailored to your specific needs and the conditions you ski in.

Additionally, ski workshops put significant effort into preparing the ski base before applying a new grind.

“First, we flatten the ski base to make it as smooth as possible before applying the new structure. This means running the ski through the grinding machine up to 12-15 times before we consider the process complete,”Fjerdingby says.

Who Should Consider a Specialized Grind?

“We offer grinding services to everyone who buys skis from us. A good grind will enhance the ski’s performance beyond what the factory grind provides.”

Why Grind Your Skis?

New skis are ground primarily to improve their overall performance and glide. They can also be customized for specific conditions.

“Grinding is about optimizing the ski base for the best possible glide over the snow,” says Fjerdingby.

For example, a grind designed for cold conditions will improve glide in dry, slow snow, while a grind suited for warm, wet conditions will reduce suction between the ski and the snow.

But there are other reasons to grind your skis:

• Repairing damage: If your skis have scratches or gouges from skiing on poor snow conditions with debris, grinding can help smooth out the base.
• Refreshing the ski base: Over time, repeated waxing and heat treatments can damage the ski base. Grinding removes damaged layers, exposing fresh material that absorbs wax and topcoats better.
• Preventing heat damage: Excessive heat, such as ironing in high-fluorinated powders at high temperatures, can harden the ski base, reducing its ability to absorb wax. Grinding restores the base’s properties.

“We don’t recommend specialized grinds for children’s skis, but kids often use their skis heavily, which can lead to scratches and damage. A fresh grind can improve glide and make skiing more enjoyable,” Fjerdingby notes.

Not Just for Elite Skiers

Fjerdingby emphasizes that investing in ski grinding isn’t just for elite racers.

“A good, flexible grind will help skis perform optimally across a wide range of temperatures and snow conditions.”

Specialized grinds can enhance performance in specific conditions. Skiers who own multiple pairs often have different grinds tailored for various snow conditions.

“At Oslo Sportslager, we have two grinding systems: one simple chart with four classic and four skating grinds, and another more detailed system with grinds fine-tuned for specific conditions.”

“One unexpected benefit of the pandemic was that we had extended periods to test different structures when the shop was closed. This experience helped us refine our offerings, which we launched this season,” he adds.

Color-Coded Grinding System

Ahead of this season, Oslo Sportslager introduced a simplified naming system for their grinds, categorized by color codes based on temperature and snow conditions:

• Red: Coarse structures for warm, wet conditions (above freezing). These grinds focus on water drainage to reduce suction.
• White: Designed for conditions around freezing. These are finer than red grinds but still aim to reduce suction.
• Blue & Green: Finer structures for sub-freezing temperatures.
  • Blue: Suitable from 0°C down to -10 to -12°C.
  • Green: Best for -7°C and colder.

Cold-weather grinds create air pockets between the ski and the snow, reducing friction and improving glide.

Which Grind Should You Choose?

• If you only own one pair of skis, a universal grind is best. You can fine-tune performance further with manual rill.
• If you have multiple pairs, you can opt for more specialized grinds suited to different conditions.

How Often Should You Grind Your Skis?

• It depends on usage, but new skis should ideally be ground before use.
• Regular users should consider a new grind at least once a year.
• Elite racers often grind their skis after just a few races.

Are There Differences Between Grind Shops?

“Grinding skis is a craft. It’s much more than just setting up a machine and running the ski through it. Local grinding workshops often have extensive knowledge of their region’s conditions, which is crucial. We conduct extensive testing across various conditions and continually refine our grinds,” Fjerdingby explains.

Are Classic and Skate Ski Grinds Different?

“Yes. Generally, a classic ski structure is coarser than a skate ski structure for the same conditions.”

Classic ski grinds typically have linear structures, while skate ski grinds often feature cross-hatched structures due to the different propulsion mechanics of each technique. Some grinds even combine both.

FACTS: Grinding, Structure & Rill

• Grinding and structure refer to base patterns that enhance glide under different conditions.
• Grinding is a permanent pattern applied with a grinding machine at a ski workshop.
• Manual rill is a temporary pattern applied after waxing.
  • Imprinted rill fades after waxing, while cut rill lasts longer.

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