Wax Recommendations

NWVE provides Wax Recommendations for events around New England. We try to be the first to publish and will update as needed. We are not sponsored by a specific company, explain the characteristic of the wax we recommend, and the intended advantage. We will be at many of the races we make recommendations for and will share our test results, and the range of options skiers with different preferences have. Scroll down to see what we are up to!

Anticipated Conditions

Saturday and Sunday, March 1 &2

Winter continues to go strong, especially in Rangeley where this weekends events are taking place. Big fluctuations in temperature will lead into the weekend with a snow event Saturday ushering in much colder temperatures for Sunday. It is another setup for a perfect weekend of skiing in my opinion!

What We Are Using

Recommendation and Application

Saturday 3/1/2025, Rangely Lakes Trail Center, Rangeley, ME, The Rangeley Loppet.

50km Freestyle Mass Start expect temps in the high teens and climbing into the mid - high twenties during the race.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Sunday 3/2/2025, Rangeley Lakes Trail Center, Rangeley, ME, The Burt Kettle Loppet.

25km Classic then Freestyle Mass Start expect temps in the single digits and climbing into the low teens during the race.

Classic and Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 5 or 6, Rex Blue, Start Green, Ski-go Blue, Toko Blue, or Rode Blue.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Guru Green, Rode Kick Green, Guru Blue, Rode B310, Rode Multigrade Blue, Swix 30, Swix 40, Toko Blue

Sunday 2/23/2025, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid, NY, The Lake Placid Loppet.

Up to 50km Classic Wave Start expect temps in the low high teens and climbing into the mid twenties during the race.

Classic and Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Rode B17,Guru Violet, Rode Blue Multigrade, Rode Super Blue, Rode Super Weiss, Toko Red, Swix Violet

Sunday 2/16/2025, Hard'ack Recreation Center, St. Albans, VT, The Hard'ack Challenge

10 km Freestyle Mass Start @ 11:30 a.m., expect temps in the low twenties and climbing into the mid-twenties during the race, with snow falling during the race.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Saturday 2/8/2025, Caribou Bog Outdoor Center, Orono, ME, The Great Caribou Bog

30km Classic Mass Start expect temps in the low twenties and climbing into the mid-twenties during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Swix Extra Blue, Guru Violet, Rode Blue Multigrade, Rode Super Blue, Toko Red, Swix Violet

Sunday 2/9/2025, Bethel Inn Touring Center, Bethel, ME, The Flying Moose Classic

25km Classic Mass Start expect temps in the high teens and climbing into the low-twenties during the race. Expect an accumulating snowfall during the race

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Blue, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Swix Extra Blue, Guru Blue, Rode B310, Rode B17, Rode Blue Multigrade, Rode Super Blue, Toko Blue (or Blue/Red mixed), Swix Blue

Saturday 2/1/2025, Oak Hill Recreation Center, Hanover, NH, The Silver Fox Trot

6.2 km Freestyle Mass Start expect temps in the low twenties and climbing into the mid-twenties during the race.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Saturday 1/25/2025, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT, The Craftsbury Marathon

45km Classic Mass Start, 9:30 a.m. Expect temps in the single digits to mid-teens with cloud cover.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Start Green, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, Rex Blue, ToKo blue, Rode Blue, a little ToKo Cold Powder will also help.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold or Polar Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic G21

There will be mostly natural snow on the course. The snow has been groomed daily with a heavy machine. There have been daily snowfalls with minimal accumulations. The snow will have some semi-transformed snow in the base and the bottom of the tracks will be somewhat abrasive. If you tend to lose wax, a thin green klister spray on binder will be ok. I will opt for an ironed in hard wax binder. Depending on your kick preference, you can stay on the cold side, or mix slightly warmer waxes covered with a green or Multigrade for a little more bite. Rode Blue Multigrade may be an excellent choice to cover all possibilities.

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder or thin klister binder; For Kick: Rode B310, Guru Green, Toko Mint, Rode Blue Multigrade, Guru Blue, Toko Blue, Swix Blue 30 or 40, Rode Alaska as a speed shell if desired.

What actually happened at the Marathon

NWVE nailed it again. People were very happy with the Guru and Rode waxes in testing. Many NWVE had there best results ever, or in years, across the spectrum of the club. There was an interesting phenomenon where some skiers lost wax during the race; however, still managed good results. The team was very happy with Guru Green and Rode B310, Rode Blue Multigrade.

Sunday 1/26/2025, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT, The Craftsbury Marathon

30km Freestyle Mass Start, 10a.m. Expect temps rising from the high-teens to the mid-twenties with overcast skies and possible snow flurries.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Monday 1/20/2025, Bretton Woods Nordic Center, Bretton Woods, NH, The Geschmossel

15km Mass Start, 10:00 a.m., expect temps in the single digits and climbing to ten during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Start Green Glider, Swix 5, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Blue. You may also want to add Toko X-Cold Powder as you iron in your glide wax.

Top Coat Options: Star Polar Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Rode B310, Guru Green, Rode Green, Rode Special Green, Toko Blue, Toko Mint, Swix Blue 30. Rode Alaska as a speed shell.

What actually happened at the Geschmossel

NWVE nailed it again. We cannot really brag as fresh cold snow is easy to wax for. The team was very happy with Guru Green and a Rode Alaska speed shell.

Saturday 1/11/2025, Jackson Touring Center, Jackson, NH, The White Mountain Classic

12 - 15km Classic Mass Start expect temps in the low twenties and climbing into the mid - high twenties during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Swix Extra Blue, Guru Violet, Rode Blue Multigrade, Rode Super Blue, Toko Red, Swix Violet

What actually happened at the White Mountain Classic

NWVE was spot on with this prediction. Participants had great skis using Rode Blue Multigrade. My skis were fast with Rode Blue Multigrade mixed with the binder as a cushion, a thin layer of Guru Violet for kick and some Guru Blue over top as a final kick/speed-shell layer.

Sunday 1/12/2025, Jackson Touring Center, Jackson, NH, The Jackson Jaunt

8km Freestyle Interval Start expect temps in the high teens and climbing into the mid twenties during the race.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 6 or 7, Ski-go Blue, Rex Blue,Toko Red/blue, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Mid Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21

Sunday 1/12/2025, Sleepy Hollow Ski and Bike Center, Huntington, VT, The MNC Skiathlon

12km Classic/Freestyle Skiathlon, Mass Start expect temps in the mid-teens and climbing into the high teens during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Rex Blue, Ski-go Blue, Toko Blue, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic NF 21, Vauhti Pure Liquid One

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Swix Extra Blue, Guru Blue, Rode Blue Multigrade, Rode Super Blue, Toko Blue (or Blue/Red mixed), Swix Blue

What actually happened

NWVE was right on with this prediction. While the weather prediction was a little off with when the new snow would fall, the wax turned out to be spot on. Skiers opted to cover a mixed wax like Oslo with blue hard wax.

Saturday 1/4/2025, Rikert Outdoor Center, Ripton, VT, The Bogburn Classic

13.5km Classic Interval Start, 1:00 p.m. Open Races, expect temps in the high-teens with cloud cover.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo blue, Rode Blue or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic G21

We will likely be skiing on the first loop of the snowmaking trail. There will be a saturated base of old snow with semi-transformed new show from heavy wet snow falls Wednesday and Thursday. I suspect that moisture will seep from the old snow base into the new snow as the trail gets skied in and freeze creating an abrasive track. Expect most of the tracks to be obliterated from the morning races. Due to the tricky condition of having a rain soaked base with the anticipated heavy wet snow, then a significant temperature drop, I anticipate that a mixed was such as the Star M line, or Start Oslo will provide the best kick. I do not think that we will need klister, but a klister binder may provide more durability if you worry about that. Due to the likelihood of snow variability on the course, thin layers alternating with a cold hard kick wax may help to avoid clumping and icing.

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder or thin klister binder; For Kick: Star M16, Start Oslo Blue, Rode B310, Guru Green, Rode Blue Multigrade, Toko Blue, ToKo Red, Swix Blue 40.

Sunday 1/5/2025, Holderness, Plymouth, NH, The Gunstock Freestyle

10km Freestyle Individual Start, 10:00 a.m., expect temps in the low teens and not rising much during the day.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 5, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo blue, or Rode Blue.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold

Saturday 12/21/2024, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT, The Henchey Memorial Eastern Cup Opener

1.5km Classic Sprint Qualifier and Heats, 9:30 a.m., expect temps in the low-teens for qualifying and climbing to the mid-teens for the rounds.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo blue, Rode Blue or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic G21

I am hedging that there will be enough new snow to avoid using ice klister.

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Rode B310, Guru Green, Rode Blue Multigrade, Toko Blue, ToKo Red, Swix Blue 40.

What actually happened

NWVE was right on with this prediction. Many teams found the Rode Multigrade or the T-Line Variants to be kicking the best. The use of mixed klister was icing on the skis of those who used it, though I did not appear to be of significant consequence.

Sunday 12/22/2024, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT, The Henchey Memorial Eastern Cup Opener

10km Freestyle Individual Start, 9:00 a.m., expect temps in the single digits and not rising much during the day.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 5, Ski-go Blue, ToKo blue, or Rode Blue. Mixing in some ToKo X-Cold Powder will be a good option

Top Coat Options: Star Polar Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold

Saturday 12/6/2024, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT, The Rodrigues Sprints

1.5km Freestyle Sprint Qualifier and Royal Court Knock-in Rounds, 10:00 a.m., expect temps in the mid-high teens for qualifying and climbing to twenty during the rounds.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Red/blue, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic G21

What actually happened

NWVE tested some blues and violets and pretty much had their wax decisions made. Then, the falling snow turned to a fine mist with only twenty minutes until the race started. That dry, dense snow crossed the moisture threshold to packy, sticky snow. This changed things, but our choice of Rode Zero remained working. The Burnhams had been testing Rode VXPS and Swix V50, which were a little warmer than my liking, but it was good to know that it was working and a little VXPS would not hurt under the toe.

Sunday 12/8/2024, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT, The Kendall Memorial Classic

7.5km Classic Interval Start expect temps in the high teens and climbing into the mid twenties during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Red/blue, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic G21

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Swix Extra Blue, Guru Blue, Rode Blue Multigrade, Toko Blue/Red, Swix Blue

Sunday 12/8/2024, Quarry Road Trails, Waterville, ME, The Quarry Road Opener

7.5km Freestyle Interval Start expect temps in the low twenties and climbing into the high twenties during the race.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Organizers request only basic wax for this event.

Saturday, 2/10/2024, Sleepy Hollow Ski Center, Huntington, VT, The Mansfield Nordic Skiathlon

10:00 a.m. Mass Start Waves, Classic Technique (6km) then Freestyle (6km), 12km Skiathone: Expect temps in the mid-thirties during the race.

Classic/Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Warm Wax, Swix 8, ToKo Yellow/Red, or Rode Red.

Top Coat Options: Star Warm Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Warm, Vauhti Pure LDR/Wet

Kick Options: Klister binder; for kick: Klister; Guru Red, Rode KM3, Swix Universal, Rode Rossa.

Sunday, 2/11//2024, Bethel Inn, Bethel, NH, The Flying Moose Classic

10:00 a.m. Classic Technique, 25km, Mass Start Waves: Expect temps in the mid thirties during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Warm Wax, Swix 8, ToKo Yellow/Red, or Rode Red.

Top Coat Options: Star Warm Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Warm, Vauhti Pure LDR

Kick Options: Klister binder; for kick: Klister; Guru Red, Rode KM3, Swix Universal, Rode Rossa.

Sunday 1/21/2024, Jackson Ski Touring Center, Jackson, NH, The White Mountain Classic

20km Mass Start, 10:00 a.m., expect temps in the single digits and climbing to the low teens during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Start Green Glider, Swix 5, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Blue. You may also want to add Toko X-Cold Powder as you iron in your glide wax.

Top Coat Options: Star Polar Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Rode B310, Guru Green, Rode Green, Rode Special Green, Toko Blue, Toko Mint, Swix Blue 30. Rode Alaska as a speed shell.

What's on my skis

I have prepped my skis with Start Green for glide wax and used Star Polar Liquid as a top coat. I have the Vauhti Super Base Binder, with three of layers Guru Green kick wax.

Monday 1/15/2024, Bretton Woods Nordic Center, Bretton Woods, NH, The Geschmossel

15km Mass Start, 10:00 a.m., expect temps in the high teens and climbing to twenty during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Cold Wax, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Red/blue, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Cold Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Cold, Rex N-Kinetic G21

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; For Kick: Guru Green, Rode Green, Rode Blue II, Toko Blue/Red, Swix Blue, Swix Extra Blue. Greens will not provide as solid a kick, but it should work. Blues will have a bit more bite. Blue covered with green should be a great compromise.

Saturday, 1/6/2024, Rikert Touring Center, Ripton, VT, The Bogburn

1:00 p.m. Interval Start, Classic Technique, 13km: Expect temps in the mid-twenties during the race.

Classic Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 6, Ski-go Blue, ToKo Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Med Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Vauhti Pure LDR

Kick Options: Ironed in hard wax binder; for kick: Stick klister is what you want; Star M16 in a short pocket should work well. Other good options are Rode B17, Start Oslo Blue, Guru Super Hallgeir.

If you worry about kick wax durability (I do not), a klister binder will work along with a nice klister like Rode TLine KM3 or Guru Extreme 39 Hard.

Sunday, 1/7/2024, Holderness School, Plymouth, NH, The Gunstock Freestyle

8:00 a.m. Freestyle Technique, 7km, Interval Start: Expect temps in the mid-twenties during the race.

Freestyle Technique

Glide Options: Mid Wax, Swix 7, Ski-go Violet, ToKo Red, or Rode Violet.

Top Coat Options: Star Med Block or Fluid, Rode Racing Liquid Med, Vauhti Pure LDR

We Wax for All Laps

Dial It Out Philosophy

Waxing is not that complicated if you want to ski on something that works. We test for success. Trying to dial in the perfect wax can create a very narrow window for a dynamic situation. We account for variability that can occur on course or through the duration of the race.

Wax Recommendations: Get Involved