Manufacturers of alpine skis have abandoned the old thinking that ski edges should be sharpened to a 90-degree angle between the side and bottom. Most ski makers now suggest a "bevel" of 0.5 degree to 2.5 degrees — that is, to sharpen edges at an angle of between 90.5 degrees and 92.5 degrees between side and bottom.
To enhance gliding on those long cruiser runs, have the ski base stone-ground flat from edge to edge, leaving the surface slightly rough to the touch, then waxed to make the ski turn better. Wax enhances glide and control, and it protects the base of your skis from drying out. The average tune-up costs $15 - $30.
At the end of every day on the hill, check your edges for visible burrs and dings. The average skier spending 10 days a year on the slopes may find that a basic grind and bevel will last the winter. But if your edges start looking abused, get them sharpened.
Before putting your boards in the closet for the summer, have a thick coat of wax applied and leave it on until your first tune-up the next winter. The wax layer will protect the steel edges from oxidizing and prevent the plastic base from drying out.
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