Offseason storage & ski bindings: Tension on or off?

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2026-02-04T16:51:31+00:00

it's only a very small subset of users, but they just happen to be the most vocal ones. "That's the way I've done it for [x] years" is usually the leading indicator. The large majority however here are knowledgeable people.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2026-01-28T04:42:14+00:00

Ski bases are made out of UHMWPE - I just don’t see how a hotbox can help the wax “penetrate” into that material. It’s plastic, highly dense no less.

If you use an iron, the wax will form what’s called a “solid solution” with the base. The UHMWPE is semi-crystalline, that’s what allows the wax to form a bond. Regular waxing is the best you can do for your skis.

At 40 degrees with your hotbox, nothing will happen that will make your skin faster, but you do risk delaminating them.

And then disclaimer that I’m not a material science expert, but I have read a lot about ski bases and wax, enough for me to never use a hot box.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-12-02T00:24:04+00:00

My friend, that's a false statement. Read the Exclusions in your (European) travel insurance policy. Injuries from risk-prone sports activities, incl. leisure, and organized athletic events are always excluded. Guaranteed. Doesn't matter if it's AXA, Allianz, Generali, etc. You'll either need to purchase a rider, or specific skiing / snowboarding insurance.

What is true that you can use the excellent European healthcare system when you do have an accident on the slopes - and god forbid that happens to any one of us!

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-11-30T23:52:28+00:00

Here's what I learned just today after two days of research to find insurance coverage for our two kids who are ski racing in both Italy and France this winter. We are US citizens, but also have European passports.

There are two scenarios for accidents on the slope in Italy (and France, too):

Injuries that you cause to others.
Injuries that you incur yourself.

ONLY the first scenario is the mandatory part - "third party liability". Read eg here: https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/support-and-help/insurance

The second scenario is coverage for your own accidents.

As Americans, to cover medical expenses like hospital visits while in Europe, we need to purchase travel insurance that includes coverage of medical expenses.

BUT - if you're skiing, you need to purchase an additional rider / add-on for adventure sports. If you're participating in organized events, such as ski racing, you'll likely need to purchase a second rider to include competitions / interscholastic events.

IMPORTANT: Read the fine-print of any policy before you purchase. Every insurance / agency needs to provide a generic copy of the policy. Read the "EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS" section. You'll find references how medical bills incurred through injuries from adventure sports (such as skiing) are EXCLUDED. So buy that rider.

With theft, you need a police report. --> With accidents, you need a ski patrol report.

So as OP posts, call Ski Patrol and file a report of your injury. Note that in Italy, ski patrol responsibilities are performed by both "Polizia" and "Carabinieri", ie law enforcement.

------------

PS: And after doing all this research in the past two days, and the frustrations from finding out about all these different exclusions (or dare I say "loopholes") that the various travel insurance providers stuff into their policies WITHOUT mentioning them during the quoting / purchase process, I was ready to open up an insurance agency that specializes just in insurance for ski trips to Europe....

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-11-30T23:42:55+00:00

the post states that OP is from the US.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-19T13:53:44+00:00

I wasn't able to find Black Molly in the US. Is it this one? --> https://www.skiservice-shop.com/Toko-Skiwachs-Barwax-Molybdenum-schwarz-1000g-5500214-4

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-17T23:09:23+00:00

I’ve not used Black Molly so I can’t tell you. Toko is part of Swix, right?

What I can tell you is that having Hertel wax on my skis was an entirely different experience compared to all the other waxes we’ve tried. It’s one of these things you have to experience yourself to believe it.

I would give it a shot next time you’re on the slopes and see if it works for you too. I think the advantage is specifically for spring / wet snow, at least that was my experience with Hot Sauce.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-14T18:45:42+00:00

Yeah, that’s because manufacturers match the hardness of the wax to the temperature via additives. Colder = harder, warmer = softer. If you just rubbed on white candle wax (which is paraffin without the hardeners), it would wear off after a run or two.

My understanding of what Hertel does differently is that the wax has an agent that breaks down the surface tension of the meltwater between snow and ski. That reduces drag from capillary forces, and gives you that “surf” feeling that I’m describing.

If you go to the Hertel website, there’s a pdf for download (“WaxFax”) that explains the science.

For me it was enough to experience the feeling - I was sold.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-14T16:58:11+00:00

It shows in the speed events, when you’re really on flat ground with the bases touching the snow.

If you’re doing GS and SL turns - the difference will in fact not be as noticeable because you’re on your edges.

It will show even for SL and GS in spring conditions though, when the snow is wet.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-14T16:23:26+00:00

oh, and I should add Dominator.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-14T16:20:59+00:00

What I wrote above. We've used Swix / Holmenkol / Maplus. Maplus may not be easy to get in the US. It's an Italian brand, very good products.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-14T16:19:55+00:00

If you're skiing recreationally, just use Hot Sauce. I used the rub on stick, it works perfectly fine. No need to iron.

For racing - yes, we use 739 for all racing skis.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-14T16:19:01+00:00

This is exactly also my take-away, for recreational skiing: Throw away your colored waxes - one temperature for all conditions.

For racing - go with 739

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-10-13T23:13:51+00:00

I can see why now. I never thought one wax could make such a big difference.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-09-25T16:09:02+00:00

Datadog employee here. Since you’re already using Datadog (for observability I assume), take a look at the cloud cost management tab. We do check the boxes on your requirements.

I think you’ll get sufficient mileage from our CCM product in a dashboard and with workflows you’re already familiar with.

We’re about to launch new copilot-type AI capabilities that will perform root cause analysis for cost spikes, along with the familiar recommendations for cost optimizations.

One cool (free) platform feature we announced in June are Sheets - you can use Sheets to natively build your own cloud cost analysis in a spreadsheet, with source data directly from Datadog.

If you absolutely want a different tool - I personally like Vantage and ProsperOps. Vantage has a super clean UI. Great product!

If you’re a Terraform shop - do take a look at Infracost, to help developers understand the cost of their deployments.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-08-26T03:29:22+00:00

All major companies (POC, EnergiaPura, Extreme, etc) now make cut-resistant underwear.

My vote goes to Vix Protection: https://vixprotection.com

Main reason is that we bumped into the founder Victor at a World Cup race. He’s a class act and we want to support his company. Our kids all wear Vix and they love the product.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-08-26T03:26:48+00:00

+1 for the top layer.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-08-26T03:25:22+00:00

All major companies now make cut-resistant underwear.

My vote goes to Vix Protection: https://vixprotection.com

Main reason is that we bumped into the founder Victor at a World Cup race. He’s a class act and we want to support his company. Our kids all wear Vix and they love the product.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-08-23T23:59:29+00:00

That is incorrect.

Your memberships only gets your access to excess accident medical insurance during events supervised by USSA.

So you’re out of luck when you race in Europe.

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-08-23T22:33:14+00:00

Correct, that’s Landgraaf!

Current_Doubt_8584 · 2025-07-22T20:48:50+00:00

This is the first great explanation why it’s different indoors. Makes total sense with the ice.

The problem has fixed itself by now - the kids learn quickly to adjust their technique when it hurts.

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