Sharp Edges. Fast Skis. Happy Kids.
Your kids’ skis work hard. They should show them some love.
Dull edges slip. Dry bases drag. Burrs catch. And your athlete feels every bit of it—less confidence, slower times, more frustration on the hill.
Here's the good news: tuning isn't rocket science. It's a skill your athlete can (and should) learn. Because kids who tune their own gear? They ski better. They care more. They understand that getting fast isn't magic — it's maintenance.
We run at least one tuning clinic per season where coaches walk families through the process. Between clinics? This is your guide.
THE DEAL
Train like you race. Race like you train.
Your athlete should be tuning every 3-4 ski days. Light touch, consistent effort. Sharp edges = confidence. Confidence = speed. It's not complicated.
Athletes should learn to do this themselves. Not at 7. But by 10-12? Absolutely. Tuning teaches responsibility, attention to detail, and respect for equipment. Plus it's weirdly satisfying to make your own skis fast.
Start simple. Build from there. You don't need a $500 setup to keep training skis happy. But if your athlete's running separate GS and SL skis and chasing podiums? Yeah, you'll want the good stuff.
WHEN TO GO PRO
Some jobs you can't DIY:
First tune on new skis (factory edges need love)
Full stone grinds (new-to-you skis, major base work, structure reset)
Major base or edge damage (core shots near edges, deep gouges, rock hits)
Local shops that get it:
Alpine Ski Shop (Fairfax, VA) - Brian Eardley (LMRT coach!)
The Ski Center (Gaithersburg, MD) - Brian Beaumont
Both offer race pricing for LMRT athletes. Both know Eastern conditions.
THE REAL TALK
Sharp edges matter. Athletes who tune their own gear care more about it. Mistakes happen — that's how you learn. Start with old skis if you're nervous. Every coach has ruined a pair while learning.
Your athlete doesn't need to be an expert. They just need to know their equipment and keep it race-ready.
Let's get started!
PICK YOUR PATH
TUNING 101 → One Pair of Skis
Your athlete uses one pair for both GS and SL. Keep them sharp, smooth, and waxed without overthinking it.
For: Future Stars, Dev, most U12, even some U14+ who are training-focused
Budget: $250
Time: 30ish minutes per tune
TUNING 201 → Separate GS & SL Skis
Your athlete has discipline-specific skis and is competing seriously. Learn advanced bevels, race wax selection, and race-day optimization.
For: Competitive U12 and U14+ chasing States, FIS points, podiums
Budget: $200-400+
Time: 45-60 minutes per tune