Ski and snowboard edge sharpening

Sharp edges mean safety and confidence on hard snow. When the edge holds, you shift your weight into the turn boldly; when it doesn’t, the ski slides out, and every patch of ice becomes a challenge.

• 86–89°side edge angle
• 0–2°base edge angle
• 14 €sharpening without waxing
• 22 €sharpening with waxing and polishing

How can you tell the edges have gone dull?

• in a turn on hard snow or ice, the ski slides sideways instead of carving an arc;
• when you run a fingernail across the edge, it no longer shaves the nail;
• you can see nicks, irregularities or rust on the edge;
• you have to initiate the turn with more and more effort, and the ski still slips out.

Side and base angle

Edge sharpness is determined by two angles. The side angle (86–89°) is the angle at which the side surface of the edge is ground: the lower the number, the sharper the edge. The base angle (0–2°) is how much the edge is raised from the plane of the base: the larger it is, the more you have to tilt the ski before the edge bites, so the turn is easier to initiate and the ski is more forgiving.

Style	Side	Base
Beginners, park	89°	1,5–2°
Recreational skiing	88°	1°
Sporty, carving	87°	0,5–0,75°
Racing, hard snow	86°	0–0,5°

For example, an 88° side angle and a 1° base angle together make an 89° edge angle – a reliable, versatile setup for most skiers. Try the angles yourself:

How we sharpen

We sharpen edges with a machine designed for professional ski tuning and with precision manual tools. The machine sharpens the edge more evenly and sharper than a manual sharpener, and the edge wears down more slowly.

1. Inspection. We assess the condition of the edges: nicks, rust, the previous angle.
2. Sidewall correction. If necessary, we remove the excess sidewall – otherwise the stone or disc cannot reach the steel.
3. Base edge. Once the base angle has been set, it is only restored after damage that increases wear and worsens glide.
4. Side edge sharpening at the chosen angle. For icy surfaces we use a diamond or ceramic disc, for snow – a synthetic stone.
5. Finishing. We remove burrs from the edge so that it is smooth and bites into the snow evenly.

How often should you sharpen?

For a recreational skier, it is usually enough to sharpen the edges once a season – before the main trip. If you ski a lot on ice or artificial snow, or if you race or train, the edges need to be refreshed more often. What matters is that it is done precisely: professional equipment removes only as much steel as necessary, so the edges last for many seasons.

At the end of the season, it is worth sharpening the edges and applying wax – storage waxing protects them from rust over the summer.

Sharpening prices

Sharpening with waxing and polishing is a full service: for skis 22 €, for a snowboard 27 €. All prices are in the price list.

Frequently asked questions

Which angle should I choose if I don’t know?

Tell the technician how and where you ski, and we will choose for you. For most recreational skiers, an 88° side angle and a 1° base angle work well; for a snowboard, 89° and 1°.

Does sharpening shorten the life of skis?

The amount of steel in the edges is limited, but professional sharpening removes a minimum, so the edges last for many seasons. Much more steel is „eaten” by rust and deeply damaged edges.

Can the edge angle be changed?

Yes, for example from 89° to 87°. The first time you change the angle, more steel is removed, so the technician will assess whether there is enough edge for it.

Do you sharpen snowboard edges?

Yes – we sharpen snowboards with the same equipment. More about our snowboard service.