A waxing and equipment expert explains pressure zones, structures, and fluorine-free technology, how they affect your skis selection and performance, and the most common mistake people make.

After fluorine was banned, the properties of the skis became even more important. Jonas Lindqvist, a ski coach, wax technician, and operator of Bruksvallarna Sports Center, selects and waxes skis for some of the top racers in the Swedish long-distance cup, several juniors, and many enthusiastic recreational skiers.

According to Lindqvist, choosing the right ski is the most crucial factor in this context. And this has only become more important since the fluorine ban was implemented before the 2023/24 season.

“Before fluorine was banned, the ski’s properties accounted for about 70% of the glide. The remaining 30% came from structure, waxing, and rilling. Now I would say that the right ski is even more important. The ski now accounts for about 80%,” Lindqvist told Längd.se, adding:

“It’s hard to measure, but the feeling is that the ski’s properties are now even more crucial.”

He emphasizes that choosing the right ski for the conditions is far more important than choosing the right wax.

“Each ski has specific pressure zones, which determine what kind of conditions the ski glides best in. Therefore, selecting the right ski for the day is more important.”

Pressure zones and camber have become even more important in ski selection after the fluorine ban.

Each ski has pressure zones. Simply put, these are the areas of the ski that have the most contact with the snow. A ski can have large zones with lower pressure or smaller zones with higher pressure. These pressure zones determine which conditions the ski performs best in.

“I work with Lorentz (Söderhielm), who grinds the skis. When I receive skis from athletes or new skis from the store, I measure the pressure zones with a machine. Each ski can only have one grind,” Lindqvist explains.

“You can’t perform magic with a ski that has very long pressure zones. If you try to use such a ski in warm conditions with a warm grind, it won’t work well,” he says.

In general, skis with long pressure zones glide best in cold weather with fresh snow. Skis with shorter pressure zones work better in warm, wet conditions.

“Many people who come to the store have bought skis elsewhere for warm conditions. But then it turns out they’ve bought a cold ski with a warm grind. You can’t perform magic with that,” Lindqvist says, adding:

“I find that having the right ski and structure is now even more important.”

Fluorine erased the differences

Before races like Vasaloppet and Birken, there is always a lot of focus on waxing and glide. Which products and combinations will work best? Lindqvist believes the focus has now shifted.

Has fluorine-free waxing made more people focus on skis and structure rather than waxing?

“Yes. Elite skiers understand this. But many recreational skiers are still focused on which wax to use. If you wax a cold ski for a warm Vasaloppet, it won’t go well. The focus has definitely shifted,” Lindqvist explains.

“With today’s wax, we can no longer cheat our way out. Fluorine used to erase the differences. But on the positive side, you can now use simpler wax and instead invest in more skis.”

More pairs of skis needed

Because ski properties and structure have become more important, it can also affect how much money you need to spend on buying skis. This worries Lindqvist.

“In reality, this means you need more pairs of skis. For young athletes and juniors, this isn’t necessarily a good development,” says Lindqvist.

It’s also not always easy to find skis with the right pressure zones and properties. The athlete’s weight is also a factor. This makes the job difficult for both sellers and skiers.

“What’s a bit fascinating is that some recreational skiers who come here to buy ‘the best ski’ often end up with three to four pairs. And sometimes from three different brands! Finding the right ski can be tricky,” Lindqvist says.

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