The Art of Fast Skis: Waxing & Preparing Skating Skis with MAPLUS GM Boost and the New XCelerate Wax

 

The Art of Fast Skis: Waxing & Preparing Skating Skis with MAPLUS GM Boost and the New XCelerate Wax

In cross-country skiing, speed doesn’t come from fitness alone — it comes from the snow. More specifically, from how well your skis interact with it. The right glide wax can transform your performance, making your skis feel lighter, faster, and more responsive. Today’s skiers have access to new generations of paraffin waxes designed for precision in modern snow conditions. Among them, MAPLUS GM Boost and the groundbreaking MAPLUS XCelerate series stand out as two of the most effective solutions for competitive skating.

This article explains how these waxes work, when to use them, and how to prepare your skis to get the most out of each product.

 

Understanding the Role of Glide Wax

 

Modern skating skis rely on:

• A clean, structured base

• Correct saturation

• The right wax choice

• Proper finishing (brushing + structure)

 

Temperature, humidity, and snow crystal shape all play a critical role. With the right combination, the glide phase becomes longer, the skis float more efficiently, and stability improves at high speed.

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MAPLUS GM Boost – The Power Wax for Cold & Dry Snow

 

MAPLUS GM Boost is developed for classic cold winter conditions — sharp micro-crystals, dry air, and snow temperatures typically in the –8°C to –15°C range.

 

Why GM Boost Works

 

• High-hardness paraffin base

• Excellent abrasion resistance

• Low friction on sharp and aggressive cold snow

• Strong durability for long-distance training and racing

 

GM Boost is ideal as both:

 

• a standalone race wax, or

• a base layer under powders or liquids.

 

 

How to Apply GM Boost

 

 

1. Clean the base with a soft cleaner or warm-scrape method.

2. Apply with an iron at the recommended temperature (usually 145–150°C).

3. Let the wax cool for at least 20 minutes.

4. Scrape carefully with a sharp acrylic scraper.

5. Brush extensively (bronze → horsehair → soft nylon).

6. Finish with a soft fleece for maximum glide.

 

You will feel the skis become faster as the base hardens and repels the sharp crystals effectively.

 

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MAPLUS XCelerate – The New Generation of Speed

 

The new XCelerate wax represents the next step in performance glide waxing. Designed for high-level racing and modern snow conditions, this wax combines new-generation additives with highly refined, low-friction paraffins.

 

What Makes XCelerate Special

 

 

• Engineered for maximum speed in mixed snow

• Improved hydrophobic properties for wet or transformed tracks

• Ultra-fast acceleration

• Compatible with traditional paraffin layers

• Optimized for skating where glide efficiency is critical

 

XCelerate is especially strong in:

 

• Cold-to-mid temperature ranges

• Slightly humid snow

• Conditions where you want both hardness and top speed

 

 

How to Apply XCelerate

 

 

1. Prepare the ski with a solid base layer (GM Boost is perfect under XCelerate).

2. Apply XCelerate with an iron at the recommended temperature.

3. Allow full cooling — longer than standard paraffins due to its performance additives.

4. Scrape and brush with precision.

5. For racing: add a final polish with fiber fleece and antistatic finishing brush.

 

The result: an incredibly smooth glide, higher top speed, and longer free-skating phases.

 

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The Perfect Combination: GM Boost + XCelerate

 

For maximum performance in modern skating conditions, these two waxes complement each other perfectly.

 

Recommended Layering Strategy

 

 

1. Base saturation – a few layers of soft paraffin early season.

2. Base race layer – MAPLUS GM Boost for hardness and structure retention.

3. Top speed layer – MAPLUS XCelerate for acceleration and glide.

4. Final brushing – precise, clean, and thorough.

 

This combination gives you:

 

• A hard, durable foundation

• Smooth glide over aggressive crystals

• Exceptional speed when pushing or free skating

 

Perfect for both competitive racing and high-intensity training.

 

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Conclusion

 

Ski waxing isn’t just preparation — it’s performance engineering. With MAPLUS GM Boost and the new XCelerate wax, skiers can create a glide system tailored to modern snow and high-speed skating techniques. By combining a cold-resistant base layer with a cutting-edge top coat, even challenging winter conditions become faster and more enjoyable.

Whether chasing seconds on race day or hunting for smooth glide on weekend sessions, the right wax makes all the difference.