By properly maintaining your snowboard or splitboard, you will enjoy it for a longer time. This maintenance involves more than just waxing and sharpening – it also includes daily care while using it and proper storage of your gear. The maintenance for a snowboard and a splitboard is quite similar, so you can use the article below for both types of equipment.

Daily care during use

When you return from a day of splitboarding or snowboarding, it is important to dry your gear thoroughly. Use a cloth for this purpose and then let your snowboard or splitboard air dry. Ensuring your gear is always dry after use prevents rust on the edges and keeps them sharp for longer.

Waxing and sharpening your splitboard or snowboard

At the beginning of the season, it's a good idea to wax your winter sports gear and possibly sharpen it. Wax and sharpen your splitboard or snowboard at least once a year to keep the equipment in top condition. You can have this done professionally, but you can also wax and sharpen it yourself. Further in this article, you'll find more information on how to wax and sharpen your splitboard or snowboard on your own.

How often should you wax your snowboard?

How frequently should you wax your splitboard or snowboard? That depends on the conditions and usage. If you are snowboarding for more than a few days, it's advisable to wax in between. To optimize gliding, we recommend doing it every 4 to 6 days. In any case, it's essential to wax your board at the beginning of the season. If a board isn't used for an extended period, the wax can dry out.

How often should you sharpen your snowboard?

To wax your board for optimum gliding, you'll need to sharpen your splitboard or snowboard's edges for a good grip. Sharpening isn't required as often as waxing, but it should be done at least once a year. If you're an active snowboarder for an extended period and want to maintain optimal sharpness, consider sharpening your snowboard every two to three weeks.

Waxing and sharpening your splitboard or snowboard yourself?

If you want to tackle waxing and sharpening your splitboard or snowboard yourself, you'll need the right tools, knowledge of the process, and some time. You can find the necessary materials for waxing and sharpening your splitboard and snowboard at Snowcountry. But with a huge amount of tools, it can be challenging to know exactly what you need. To make it easier, we will list the required items. And for the utmost convenience, consider purchasing a complete set containing all materials for waxing and sharpening your splitboard or snowboard.

Materials for waxing your splitboard or snowboard yourself

  • Waxing iron: for melting and spreading wax over the base of your splitboard or snowboard. This iron maintains a nearly constant temperature. Using a regular clothing iron is not recommended due to different heat distribution.
  • Wax scraper: for removing excess wax from your board.
  • Brushes: for applying wax and removing excess wax.
  • Wax remover: for removing old wax.
  • Work stand or holder: for securing your board.
  • Wax: for waxing your splitboard or snowboard, ensuring optimal gliding, and preventing material drying out.

What you need for sharpening your splitboard or snowboard

  • Edger: a tool to hold the sharpening stone to sharpen the board's edge at the right angle.
  • File guide: a tool to hold the sharpening stone to sharpen the base of the board at the right angle.
  • Oxide sharpening stone: for removing burrs and damage.
  • Fine sharpening stone: for general sharpening.
  • Diamond file: for polishing and repairing minor damages and burrs.
  • Grinding rubber: to remove the initial sharpness from points that come into contact with the snow. If you don't do this, the board can bite into the snow, reducing grip.
  • Work Stand or Holder: as with waxing, you need something to secure your board.

When sharpening a snowboard or splitboard, you gradually remove some material. After frequent sharpening, there may come a point where you need to plane the sidewall. For this, use a Sidewall Planer. You should plane the sidewall when you can no longer sharpen without affecting it.

Various types of wax

If you're planning to wax your equipment yourself, you have options for different types of wax. The choice of wax depends on the temperature and snow conditions. You can select from universal wax, warm wax, and cold wax.

Universal wax

If you're uncertain about the conditions you'll encounter, opt for universal wax. This all-purpose wax is suitable for almost all temperatures and snow conditions.

Warm wax

Warm wax isn't about the wax's temperature but the environment in which you'll be snowboarding. If you expect temperatures above freezing, choose warm wax. It provides better glide at higher temperatures.

Cold wax

Cold wax is suitable for temperatures below freezing. It's a harder wax that offers better protection against ice formation on your splitboard or snowboard.

Storing your snowboard or splitboard

If your winter sports season is over and you plan to store your gear, ensure everything is completely dry before storing it. Don't dry your board right against a heater, but in a warm, ventilated room. Once everything is thoroughly dry, it's a good idea to apply a wax block to the steel edges to prevent rust. If you wish to prevent material from drying out, consider waxing your gear before storage. Afterward, place your gear in a snowboard bag for protection against moisture and scratches. Store your board in a cool, dry place.