The proper (well no, not proper, but a method that works real well) method to tune your Alpine skis. A full tune up is considered to be a) sharpening the edges, b) waxing the base, and c) scrape/brush (racing only). You must always sharpen before you wax, because you will scrape your wax off with the sharpening devise. All the tools and materials used in this process can be bought at a ski shop. (Exect the iron, but you can get that at a tag sale or department store.)

First the sharpening. This task can be done with nothing besides a metal file. However, it is advisable to use bevel tool, because the plain file can ruin the edge of your ski if use improperly.

To sharpen Edges with a plain file: First wrap one end of the file with five or six layers of electric tape or duct tape. (To make sure the file only touches the edge.) Then place the file on your ski with the tape in the middle of the base. Run the file the length of the ski, making sure the file touches only the edge. Repeat the motion until the desired sharpness is reached.

To sharpen edges with bevel tool. Depending on the style and make of your tool it will have different settings of degrees. For most recreational skiers 90-89 degrees is good. (On the bevel tool itself will be differnet placements for the diferent degrees.) (Racers should know what bevel they ski.) Following the directions on the box to place a file in the bevel tool. After that is complete place the bevel tool on the bottom of one ski and run the tool along the edge. Repeat the motion until the desired sharpness is reached. Than repeat on other ski.

Second, waxing your skis. This task is very important if you value going fast. You can buy rub on wax, but experience shows it is a waste of money. The best method is to use iron on wax. To perform this procedure you will need hard wax (purchasable at any ski shop) and an old iron someone won't use on clothes again.This is imporant because the wax will ruin the iron. Have both skis flipped upside-down right next to each other. Set the iron to 2.5 (if your iron goes to 7) or whatever, but it is important the iron doesn't burn your skis. When the iron will melt the wax, place the wax on the iron. It will start to drip. With the dripping wax make wave like figures down the length of your skis. After there is one wave down each ski apply the iron directly to the bottom of your skis. Run the iron down the skis until the wax is uniformly spread across them, and you're done.

Racers if you want the extra hundredths off your time it is wise to scrape and brush the base of your skis before you ski the course. These two operations are very simple and all you need is a brush (plastic bristle), and a scraper (metal scratches the base, plastic is prefered). Simply scrape all wax off base then brush it down to facilitate flow. Than have good run.