Snow Mountain Stampede Classic 2024
Nathan Schultz
Event Details
The Snow Mountain Stampede is a fluor-free wax event. 2024 is the 40th annual edition. Skate races are on Saturday and Classic races on Sunday with3km, 12.5km, 25km short course, 50km long course options. Event website.
Wax Service & Testing
Boulder Nordic Sport is waxing skis out of the Boulder shop. We will not have anyone on-site waxing or testing. We can turn race skis around in 24-48 hours at the shop.
We are hosting our Thursday night wax clinic at the Boulder shop at 6:15.
Weather Forecast
Click here for the latest weather forecast from NOAA
Wax Recommendation
This is a forecast-based recommendation. We will update this recommendation if the forecast changes.
Base Glide Layer
Rode Graphite R100G or Holmenkol Syntec FF 21
Application: Iron in at recommended iron temp, let cool, scrape, brush with fine steel or bronze/brass brush.
Race Paraffin Layer
Rode R30 Violet mixed with Rode Endurance 1:1 -or- Holmenkol Syntec FF Red
Lower-price option: Holmenkol BetaMix Red or Rode R30 Violet
Application: Iron in at recommended iron temperature, let cool (10-15min), scrape with a plastic scraper, brush with fine steel or bronze/brass, then polish with nylon or horsehair brush.
Powder
Fluor-free powder will help with durability, speed and dirt repulsion. It is probably not worth it for shorter races (less than 25km).
Application: (apply powder over race paraffin, before topcoat)
- Sprinkle powder on liberally to coat the base.
- Iron in at recommended iron temperature.
- Let cool. 10-15 minutes should be adequate.
- Scrape powder off, then brush with stiff nylon, followed by horsehair.
View a video on powder application (video is for fluoro powders, but the application is the same for fluor-free powders)
Topcoat
Rode Racing Liquid (RL) Med -or- Holmenkol FF1 Red Liquid
lower-price Holmenkol option: Holmenkol FF2 Liquid Red
Application: Apply liquid on brushed ski, allow to dry, polish with a roto wool, roto fleece, or felt brush/cork. The liquid layer should be the final wax layer (over paraffin layer or powder layer).
Structure
Structure will likely be an important part of the race with snow starting cold and warming through the race.Choose a medium to warm grind.
- Skate Grinds: S2.2
- Classic Grinds: C2.2
Hand Structure: Holmenkol cross-structure tool with one roller.
Kick Wax
Start with an ironed-in base layer of Vauhti Super Base applied very thin. Let cool to tacky/hard.
Kick Wax Options to test:
- Rode B17 or Multigrade Blue
- Rode BV15 or Blue Super
- Holmenkol Blue Spezial or Blue Extra
- Swix VP40 or Blue Extra
Updates
We will update this recommendation as it gets closer to race day.
Race/Application Notes
Overnight lows will be pretty cold, so the snow will generally stay colder than air temps through the races. The forecast is for sun, so that will help warm up the snow faster, but the snowpack will generally be cold.
If you can wax two pairs of race skis, it would be smart to go with a colder option. The forecast for this area is generally warmer than actual conditions, so having a colder pair of skis ready to go in case it gets colder overnight is a good option.