Welcome to EpicSki!

 

First of all, generally speaking, rental skis are not going to be fast skis unless you get high performance rentals.

 

Second of all, there are some good all purpose waxes out there, but most of the time waxes are temperature and snow specific. 

 

For instance, a red Beta wax is usually good for average winter temps and a Yellow Alpha wax is softer and better for warmer, spring like, temps. 

 

Perhaps you can carry an all purpose paste wax or some such thing, while you're renting. 

 

You may also want to consider getting some good boots and start demoing skis. 

Hope this was helpful. 

Small scratches are not really going to make a discernable difference to the skis and rub on waxes are not really going to make much difference to scratches. They'll make the skis run a little faster and truer but only for a short time unless the skis are otherwise decently tuned. I don't know where you ski but if you're a regular visitor you could perhaps see if you can get hold of a decent pair or pay a bit more. Ultimately it sounds like you're after your own skis.

 

As Trekchick implies, a good pair of boots, correctly fitted is your first priority and will make the biggest difference to your skiing.

If you are renting from the resort you're skiing at, I don't think I would bother.  The rental skis typically have a maintenance program so they will be getting waxed now and again. Not that often, but they do get it.  You should be able to look at them and see if they need wax or not and if they do, tell them to give you another pair.  Worst case scenario, bring them over to the tune shop and pay the $5 for a wax job.  For the negligible impact you'll have on a typical rental ski, I really wouldn't bother.

 

Another thing to look at is to rent high performance skis instead of the regular rental skis.  It's only a couple dollars more and you'll get better skis which will give you better performance than rental skis with fresh wax.  They also tend to have a better maintenance schedule because the difference in performance and the fact that the people renting high performance skis have a better chance at noticing such things.

 

If you think the skis need wax after skiing them for a bit, turn them in and get another pair. 

 

Waxing skis correctly to have a marked increase in performance, isn't as easy as wipe it on and wipe it off.  As TC mentioned, there are several things to consider like snow temp.  If I was on a skiing vacation, I wouldn't want to be spending my time and money taking care of their skis.  Not to mention while you're doing this, you aren't skiing.  You're the customer and not the other way around.

 

If you are renting from a ski shop for a week or something, the skis should come with a fresh waxing so you should be set.

 

I think your best bet is to rent high performance skis and to let them worry about the maintenance.

 

Have fun,

Ken

Sounds like renting is your best option. Follow some of the advice above and you should be ok. Be demanding though. Some places will offload there poor equipment on people who look like they'll accept it. Be assertive and let them know you are looking to improve your performance. If they can't or won't oblige go elsewhere. You'll more than likelt find they're happy to help. Don't be afraid to change it if it's not right for you.

Sounds like they weren't properly tuned. Like L&AirC says tuning rental equipment is not your job. The bases should be flat and waxed and edges should be sharp as a minimum expectation.

Check the bases and if they look dry ask them to wax them for you  and if they say they are good enough offer to pay for it. Most places use a universal that many other skiers and riders buy also and they work fine but only if there is some left on there. Maybe you can shame them into handing you a better prepared ski to learn on.

 

There are also paste speed waxes that work really well. They go on quickly as an overlayment to whatever is on there already but don't last as long as harder waxes.

 

 

Welcome to Epicski. I hope the folks here can give you some good advice but in the end the decisions are yours. Stick around , you'll learn much.

Inconsistent speed sounds more like snow conditions than tune. Wax will not help lack of edge grip. Only a tune that includes sharpening will. The bases might not have been flat either.

Though I agree with your plan to rent at this point of your skiing life, I still think renting high performance skis is the best/least expensive way out of your issue.

There is also the possibility that technique is coming into play. I dont doubt you know how to ski, but when you change ski types, the tend to perform a little different. Or you could be like the rest of us mortals and need a little coaching. Don't forget, Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller still get coached. A group lesson would probably be the same cost as the difference in cost between rentals and high performance rentals for the week.

Ken

Good luck and enjoy yourself. Every day on skis is fun and a great adventure!

ALPINE SKI WAX TRAVEL SPRAY WAX KUU fluoro fluorinated wax new

 

It only lasts a few runs, but it is easy to apply..

Chriso10299,

 

my brother in law when he does rent simply asks if they will wax em up before he picks em up.  In fact, if you call in a rental, I've found I get a better rate than just walking in.  I simply call and ask if they have any specials for x number of days.   Pre-booking gives em a chance to wax em up when they're slow.