The way we slide downhill has changed dramatically. The continuing growth of snowboarding and the introduction of a plethora of new ski shapes brings snow sports to a new level of performance. From beginning carver to Olympic rider, we can tune just about any snow toy you can think of, with the exception of the Radio Flyer. While a belt-sanded finish makes your board of skis perform like new, a textured stone ground pattern gives the extra performance you demand. By tailoring the pattern to the snow conditions, performance is improved even in magical conditions.
   
What is Tuning?
The way your board or skis perform relies on more than just you're ability. It also depends on the base profile and stone ground structure, edge condition, bevel, wax and whatever else touches the snow. Tuning is a way to control and optimize performance by refinishing the running surfaces.
 
Why Tune?
While there are many ways of constructing a board or ski, a good tune has as much influence on the way it performs as the way it was built. If you're tired of endlessly slopping across the fall line, if you're stuck in a rut and can't seem to improve, or even if you lost the last race by 1/10 of a second, our certified technician's tune-up is the ticket to better performance, a safer ride and more fun on the hill.
 
When to Tune?

In general, how often you tune depends on snow conditions, terrain (including rails, tables, logs, etc.), and the level of performance you are looking for. A Buckles and Boards fall tune-up when you take your board out of the basement and Buckles and Boards tune-up about every 7-10 times on the hill should provide consistent performance. A pocket stone and daily wax are also recommended for best performance between full tune-ups. Any significant base or edge damage should be dealt with right away to prevent any further damage.
 

Even new skis and snowboards should always be 'prepped' before you ride them. Most need tuning work and stone grinding before they are ready to rip. For the best performance get our certified technician's stone grind tune-up!

 
Regular Buckles and Boards tune-ups and some
simple care will preserve your board or skis:
 
 
  • Hot wax often to protect base and ensure performance.
  • Clean and dry your edges each day on the hill.
  • Store your board or skis in a cool and dry place.
  • Repair any damage immediately.
  • Apply a thick coat of wax to base and edges at the end of the season.
 
What Problems does tuning solve?
You endlessly struggle to set an edge in a patch of ice, but instead the edge slips and you lose control. You can't ride your edge and carve big sweeping turns.
Your edges are dull and rounded.

Everyone is dusting you on the flats. Every time you turn the transition from edge to edge
seems like it takes forever.
Your base is dry, damaged, and/or not stone ground.

Your board or ski hooks and continues up the hill when you've completed you turn.
Your edges need to be de-tuned.

First thing in the morning your board or ski feels like it won't carve a smooth turn. Later in the day you can't carve a turn at all.
Your edges are seriously burned, becoming duller by the turn.

Trying to turn, you can't get off the edge for the transition. It feels touchy and won't slip sideways. The base profile is concave or 'edge high'.

Your board or ski wanders and feels squirrelly. On the flats you don't feel stable,
you're just waiting to slam.
Your base profile is convex or 'base high'.
 
What is a Good Tune-Up?
A good tune-up will match your board or ski' performance to your riding needs. Make certain that you inform the technician performing the work of your ability. Inform him of the type of riding you like, the terrain you frequent, the performance you require, and any problems you have. Our technician can better tailor the tune-up to your liking.
 
To properly tune your board or skis, a Buckles and Boards technician will perform a number of basic steps.
  1. INSPECTION. The top, sides and base should be wiped clean, paying attention to removing any dirt in the base. The board or ski should then be inspected for damage, including base damage, delimitations, sidewall blowouts, and edge pull outs. Any repairs needed will be pointed out and performed as necessary.
     
  2. BASE REPAIR. Next, any nicks, gouges, or core shots are filled with P-Tex. By heating the P-Tex properly, our technician will have bonded the new material to the existing base. The excess P-Tex will then be removed, and the board or skis will be ready for flattening.
     
  3. FLATTENING. The entire base (including the edges) is sanded. This step removes material evenly from tip to tail and from edge to edge, exposing a clear running surface. Ideally, the base should start out perfectly flat before the next step.
     
  4. BEVELING. The base and side edges are then tuned to your liking. Depending on what you're looking for in performance, the edges are beveled anywhere from 0 to 3 degrees. The edges should then be polished using a soft stone of emery cloth.
     
  5. STONE GRINDING. Our technicians will probably recommend stone grinding the base of the board or ski. During this process, minute diamond-shaped or linear grooves are ground into the base. In addition to allowing the base to hold more wax, stone ground patters are the best way to break the suction and friction between the base and the snow. By grinding this light pattern into the base, you'll find that your board or ski will easily transfer from edge to edge. Different temperature and snow conditions require different structures and snow conditions require different structures for optimum performance. Only your Buckles and Boards technician knows the right formula!
     
  6. DE-TUNING. Your technician will then likely recommend de-tuning the tip and the tail. De-tuning is the dulling of your board or ski just ahead of and behind the running surface. This is to aid in transition and turning and to prevent catching the tip and tail.
     
  7. WAXING. The last process in any tune-up is hot waxing. Hot waxing impregnates the base, providing protection from damage and increasing gliding and turning characteristics. As with stone grinding, wax is specific for the temperature and snow consistency. If it is not possible to predict conditions from your house in the city, good universal waxes are available.