This is a step by step for a quick wax to get your skis ready for the big storm. I know this may seem like a simple task but their are a lot of things that can go wrong very easily. Their are many ways to wax skis and this is a good place to start.

Step 1: The First Step Is to Gather Everything You Will Need

Supplies needed: Skis
Wax bar of choice
Workspace
2 Rubber bands
Clamps if available
Iron with adjustable temp
plastic scraper

Step 2: Prep

The first thing you need to do is prep the skis. First place the rubber bands over the ski breaks so that when the skis base is facing up the breaks do not breaks the plane of the base. (See Picture)

Step 3: First Layer

Next if you have clamps insert the ski into them if not then try to secure the skis on your work bench just so they wont move around. I have used pieces of scrap wood before.
After you have secured your skis begin to rub a thin layer of wax onto the ski using your wax bar like a piece of chalk. In our shop we call this "crayoning in".

Step 4: Driping on Wax

The first thing you need to do before you begin to use your iron is set the temperature. The temp you use will change depending on the wax you use so look on the wax bar before setting the temperature. I like a holmencol Beta mix which requires the iron temp to be at 260 degrees Fahrenheit. After your iron has heated up press the wax bar against it and it will immediately start to melt. As you are melting the wax bar it will drip off the iron so you need to begin laying a pattern of wax on the ski. I recommend a zig zag pattern going from side to side from the tip of the ski to the base. Remember to be careful when holding the wax bar DO NOT TOUCH THE IRON and when it gets small and your fingers get close to the iron stop! you can use small pieces like this for rubbing the wax into your skis the next time you want to tune.

Step 5: Melting in Wax

The next step is to go over the wax that is on the ski so that it melts into a uniform layer onto of the ski. The trick with this is to go slow enough to melt the wax completely but no slower because you don't want to risk melting the base of the ski. How you know you are going the right speed is if the wax solidifies about six inches after you pass over it with the iron. Also to create a better glide when you actually get up to the mountain. Always wax from tip to tale and try to do it in one pass if possible.

Step 6: Scrape

The last step is to scrape the ski. Make sure to give time for the wax to cool down in between ironing in and scraping it off. After the ski is cool you can begin scraping it again do this from starting from tip and ending at tale. Hold the scraper s0 that it is angled back towards your body and begin to push it along the base of the ski applying medium pressure. As you do this you will see the wax peel off revealing a shiny new layer underneath. by the time you are done scraping the whole ski should be this new shiny color.