Green Wax Review: an Environmentally Friendly Ski and Snowboard Wax
Global warming myth or fact, whichever you believe it is undeniable that it has affect on our much loved winter sports scene. Just ask anyone who has visited the French Alps the last couple of seasons, I was in Morzine early January this year and there was no snow in the village… yes you read that right, no snow in what is meant to be the coldest month of the season in one of Europe’s largest resorts! Spring snow is upon the French resorts already this year and it is only February. If you have been on the slopes for more than a weekend then chances are you have waxed your skis at least once. Have you thought about the chemicals in your wax and the damage they can cause to you or the environment?
The Danger of PFCs
Both pro level wax and recreational wax contain perfluorochemicals (PFCs) which can be hazardous to humans and the natural environment. Studies have shown that PFCs can alter the liver and spleen of rabbits, cause birth defects such as heart problems in rats and due to the stable construction particles stay around for a long time without decomposing or decaying.
A study in Sweden contrasted and compared (PFCA) blood levels in eight ski wax technicians before, during, and after the 2007/2008 ski season, and researchers found that the median blood level for PFOA was almost 45 times that of the general population (112 ng/mL compared to 2.5 ng/mL). What’s more, it appears that there is a correlation between the levels of perfluorocarboxylates in the blood and the number of years working as a ski wax technician. (Treehugger. 2011). Whilst the definite health impact on humans is unknown it appears that if PFCs can be avoided then this would benefit the environment and snow sports lovers.
Green Wax
Enter Green Wax dedicated to preserving the snow world that we all love and enjoy by producing environmentally friendly wax. The Green Wax comes wrapped in 100% recycled packaging and the wax itself is made in small quantities to ensure high quality levels. The overall product looks ‘environmentally friendly’ and is attractive in it’s own simplistic way. Green Wax comes in several sizes a 2oz bar, a 0.5oz microbrick perfect for one complete pair of skis or a snowboard or an 8oz brick. Most importantly it is made from 100% natural, organic ingredients and it is completely biodegradable.
The wax is easy to apply you can rub it on or heat it up and melt it on to the skis or board. We imagine the majority of users will opt for the rub on method and this was a simple case of applying slight pressure and covering the ski/board from head to toe in the Green Wax. This can be performed before the week, day or even whilst having a Vin Chaud break.
The wax grips the ski well and it lasts on the ski for a similar length of time to PFC based ski wax. For optimum performance we topped up with Green Wax after a couple of days of hard skiing.
Green Wax offers excellent slide and we really couldn’t tell any noticeable difference between the Green Wax and other PFC based waxes. The professional performance of Green Wax was recently demonstrated by Benji Farrow at the Burton European Open (2011) half pipe event (part of the World Snowboarding Tour) where he finished 4th. Green Wax sponsor a range of riders across several disciplines and the environmentally friendly Green Wax continues to hold its own and offer an environmental answer to PFC based waxes.
The story gets better with Green Wax retailing at $3 for a microbrick up to $22 for an 8oz brick. This offers remarkable value for a professional grade wax. A set of Toko S3 HYDRO CARBON 120g (approx 4oz) wax retails at $22, the same price for half the volume of wax.
The Verdict
So to conclude what is there not to like about Green Wax; it is good for the environment and you, well priced, offers excellent performance, easy to apply and will make you “Shred Lightly”. So lets all do our bit and buy environmentally friendly wax… Green Wax!
Kirk Turner Interview
The Loveskiing Team Interviewed one of Green Wax’s sponsored riders Kirk Turner… check out the interview below!!!
What is it you love about skiing?
The freedom of expression, to view a peak or a route, envision it, and then ski each turn the way you want to is unlike anything else I have ever experienced.
Tell us a bit about ski mountaineering…
Ok, so there are a few distinctions we have to make here because terms often get confusing: Randonee (skimo) racing is a human powered sport where you skin up to the top of a few different peaks or slopes, transition to downhill mode, ski and to the next transition etc, the downhill part is hard but normally not to dangerous and sometimes it is even on piste. Race length varies but total climbing distance is around 1,000m-3,000m and 15k-ish: first guy to the finish line wins. Back Country also called ski touring, is typified by human powered skiing, no lifts, you work for your turns etc. Finally Ski Mountaineering is a term that normally implies you’re trying to ski an objective. A chute, a peak, a ridge, often it involves a lot of work and mountaineering skills, you are often far from establishments and other people, there is often glacier travel, and almost always the skiing is very steep with poor snow conditions. It’s very different from what you see in most ski films, it’s slow and calculated; if you were to fall often you may not stop for hundreds of meters. Bottom line is I enjoy all of them! There is cross-pollination, but they are all very different.
How long have you been a professional ski mountaineer?
Wait, I’m pro? When do the groupies show up in bikinis or when does my Wheaties box arrive?! Endurance athletes and sports are not valued much here in the United States. We all have day jobs…..
What attracts you to the sport?
I’ve raced XC mountain bikes for almost half my life, with the last few years professionally; there are many crossovers, you have to be in shape, you have to react quickly, there’s balance, technique, suffering, pacing, fueling , its fun, the list goes on! It was a natural cross over. Randonee combines the joy of downhill skiing, the exercise of a marathon, and the joy of being high in the mountains!
Have you always wanted to be a ski mountaineer?
I didn’t even know it existed until 2008. I grew up skiing in Maine, but lost interest in my teens. I moved to Utah and my affinity for skiing was rekindled. I learned quickly, and dabbled in dropping cliffs, playing in the terrain park, and such but only got into racing in 2009. I did the 08 Xterran Winter Triathlon World Championships in the pro category, which had a Randonee Leg, I actually placed 8th but there weren’t all that many racers lol. Anyway I started racing more after that, and won the 2009 Amateur National Championships in the spring.
How long have you ridden with Green Wax?
A year and a half or so I think?
Explain Green Wax in three words:
Versatile, durable, Earth-friendly!(I think that’s a word lol)
Why Green Wax?
In my opinion it’s really a phenomenal product. Originally I just used it on my race skis, but then I discovered how well it works and started using it on all my skis. It doesn’t matter what the kind of snow, the water content etc. it’s the best all condition wax I have ever used, and its earth friendly to boot! I spend a bit of time waxing and its nice to know I’m around less toxins, I care about my health!
What in store for Kirk Turner in the next couple of seasons?
Sadly not enough time on skis, I’m in Uni Studying Industrial/Product Design. So until I’m out of school I can only fit in a few objectives or races here and there, but as soon as I can move back to the mountains and train my goal is to make the U.S. National Ski Mountaineering team and go to the World Championships (wherever they happen to be that year). If skimo racing ever makes it in as an Olympic sport that might be a distant goal. I have time, I’m only 22 years old and endurance athletes don’t peak till mid 30’s, so who knows right?
Backcountry or piste?
Backcountry I could die a happy man if I never set foot in a resort for the rest of my life, however I do enjoy acing GS turns on occasion if the opportunity presents itself.
What is your favorite resort and why?
That’s a tough one, probably Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT USA, it has a ton of Backcountry access, cliffs to huck, groomers to rip, powder stashes, and reasonable prices.
Finally sum up the Loveskiing website in one word
Info!
