Coaches' Picks: Ski wax and gear for the best time outside
Edited Aug 10, 2026.
The right gear and waxing products will make your winter ski outings more enjoyable. Our coaches are athletes who ski a lot and have accumulated product knowledge and experience over the many years of enjoying skiing — in all conditions. So I thought sharing product recommendations from them would generate a decent list of essential or, at least, useful products or ideas for you to enjoy your skiing this winter. Below are their top recommendations, but we would also like to hear from you. What are the go-to items that allow you to get outdoors through the winter? (Comment Below!)
Kevin's Picks
Rode BASE GLIDER COLD (-5C/-25C) — an economical paraffin wax that is a go-to for training skis:
https://canadianwintersports.com/products/rode-base-glider-cold
Hannah's Picks
Swenor Rollerski Ferrule Sharpener
I have seen far too many people content with dull tips slipping poles when roller skiing. Taking the time to sharpen your tips can change a roller ski from “meh” to “yeah!”
https://canadianwintersports.com/products/swenor-rollerski-ferrule-sharpener
Rode FiberTex:
Ski bases get dirtier than you realize. Brushing them out doesn’t always cut it. FiberTex will reveal all the dirt and wax buildup on the base of your ski. Use with brushes for the best result.
https://canadianwintersports.com/products/rode-fibertex
Alex's Picks
Zandstra Nordic Skates:
Are a fun way to explore the canal and a fantastic means of active transportation through the winter months in addition to cross-country skiing.
https://canadianwintersports.com/products/zandstra-nis-nordic-skates
Andy's Picks (Owner of Canadian Wintersports)
Rode RXL Cold, Liquid Glide Wax:
Andy lives in Thunder Bay. That is a fairly cold and dry climate. He likes the Rode RL cold, a liquid fluoro-free wax. Andy said it “won a glide test last week!”
https://canadianwintersports.com/products/rode-fluoro-free-racing-liquid-cold
Rode Glide Kit:
Pick number two is actually a kit. Andy’s big on the value of these kits. “All you need for fast fluoro-free race skis! This kit comes with all three RL liquids from Rode. Glide cleaner and fiber paper are used to maintain clean bases. The Nylon brush is for buffing and polishing after applying the RL liquids.”
https://canadianwintersports.com/products/rode-liquid-glide-kit
I hope you found these recommendations from our coaches useful. Do you agree with them? How about your favourite product recommendations? Send them to us! Use the comment section below. Thanks. Happy skiing.
Originally published on The First Lap (thefirstlap.com).