All About Ski Preparation

This podcasts gives a quick overview of all new Toko products for the 2023/24 season. We have been busy developing exciting new products for you!

This episode goes over the different diamond files that we offer and what each is best used for. Then I also go over some commonly asked questions and answers.

This episode explains why the ability to estimate snow temperature for a future event is so critical to being a good waxer. I then explain how to do it and what the most common mistake is.

This episode includes 3 excellent listener questions about Toko liquid paraffins and our answers. The questions are can you mix liquid paraffins, can you iron liquid paraffins, and if I use liquid paraffins do I still need to hot wax?

This podcast describes how to race wax for different types of cold conditions with best results. All cold conditions are not the same but can be classified effectively such that the best wax can be selected for best results.

This episode illustrates some key points in how to be successful waxing with Toko Liquid Paraffin. Attention is given to different amounts of drying time depending on the snow conditions. 

There are a ton of hand brushes out there. There are even more recommendations as to what to use when. This episode clearly outlines what hand brushes to use when and why. Ian talks about the differences between the Oval and Rectangular brushes and why they are made that way. 3 distinct Oval and 3 Rectangular brushes are recommended (either or) and an explanation is given as to why. The Toko hand...

This episode explains why and how to hot wax skis and snowboards. I make recommendations as to the best practice and also comment on a common technique that I think should be avoided.

Especially now there are more forms of race wax than ever including buff on block, pastes, hot waxes, powders, and liquids. I give my thoughts on how to manage and prioritize these forms for best results and predictability. 

Neil talks about what it is like to be a Alpine ski serviceman for the USST including thoughts on the personality traits that would be good for a serviceman to have, life on the road, long hours in the wax room, the pressures of the job, and his new job with Toko

Describes the recommended steps when waxing new skis or freshly stoneground skis. Explains why these steps are important and what the goal is of each of the three steps. For both Alpine and Nordic.

Describes many of the considerations when evaluating a Nordic Race ski fleet preseason, what base structure to start the season with, and other thoughts.

Ian Harvey gives a quick 6 minute summary of new exciting products that we will be offering this winter. Highlights include Soelden 15 Powder, a new Rotobrush system, and a Ski Holder/Rack. Ian also quickly covers the Toko philosophy. (Audio only).

This is an interview with Toko Chemist Stefan Jung about the development of fluorine free race waxes. Stefan relates some of the stories and challenges that he has faced as well as talks a bit about what he expects in the future.

Ian Harvey gives a quick 10 minute summary of new exciting products that we will be offering this winter. Highlights include a new vastly improved Structure tool, Soelden 15 Powder, Rotobrushes, and a Ski Holder/Rack. Ian also reports on our inventory status which is very positive.

Marty Hall was the first full-time paid US Cross Country Ski Coach and a true pioneer and innovator. Marty coached for the US Ski Team from 1970 through 1978 and for Cross Country Canada from 1981 through 1992. Most notably from my perspective are the many innovations and solutions that Marty found to common problems leading to breakthroughs in training and technology. This is a problem solver and...

How are the Olympics different from a World Cup? Generally speaking the waxing and racing is the same but some other aspects of the Olympic Games are very different from that of a World Cup event. Here is a discussion with Olympic athletes Caitlin Gregg, Andy Newell, Ida Sargent, and John Bauer to explore this topic hosted by Olympian Ian Harvey. Some of the topics discussed include the Olympic cl...

After 35 years of coaching the Northern Michigan University ski Nordic ski team, Sten Fjeldheim retired in the spring of 2021. Wining 4 NCAA Nordic Ski Team National titles, coaching 12 skiers who represented the US in the Olympic games, and guiding 7 NCAA individual champions since NMU joined the NCAA in 1993 is amazing and impressive. So is being named the United States Ski Association coach of...

Chris Magerl has been the Toko Race Wax Tip Coordinator since 2008 as well as a Toko Tech Team member. Additionally, Chris has been a groomer at the Mountain Dell Nordic Course since 2002 and has been running the grooming crew since 2006. In addition to having had worked Nordic ski retail and been a Nordic ski instructor, Chris has also been a photo journalist and a newspaper editor. Chris is a ke...

Dani Aravich is on the US Paralympic team for Nordic skiing and Biathlon. She was a member of the US Paralympic team this past summer in Tokyo in track and field. Her goal is to compete in the Paralympic games this winter in China. We spoke about any differences there might be for a paralympic athlete compared to an able-bodied athlete, any technique adjustments that she might make or consider as...

Nancy Fiddler came late to elite ski racing having had started skiing in college. Her world cup career started when she was 31 years old. Despite this Nancy won 14 US National Championship titles. She participated in both the 1988 and 1992 Olympic games. At the 1991 World Championships she finished 15th place. Nancy also coached and worked in the ski industry at Mammoth Mountain. Recently Nancy in...

Stefan Jung started working for Toko as the head chemist in January 2021. He is an avid telemark skier and also participates in other outdoor sports such as skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. The purpose of this interview is to introduce Stefan and give him the opportunity to explain about new Toko High Performance, Performance, and Natural Waxes. My opinion is that Stefan is the most important...

Sydney Palmer-Leger won both races at the 2021 NCAA championships as a freshman in college. Sydney is on the US Ski Team B Team and is the 6th ranked US distance skier. She is also a 5 time US Mountain Bike National Champion. Sydney is just 19 years old and skis for the University of Utah and Sun Valley SEF.  We talked about a wide range of topics. I'm sure listeners will find this an important an...

Ben Odgen has 5 individual top 10 finishes at World Juniors as well as 2nd, 1st, and 1st in the Junior relay. Also 11th in 2021 U23 Classic sprint after finishing 3rd in the qualifier. Ben finished 17th in the 2021 World Championship Classic sprint. Clearly this is one of the most talented and capable young racers we have ever had. Ben is John Ogden’s son against whom I used to race and is the bro...

JC Schoonmaker finished 26th in last winter’s World Championship Classic Sprint in Oberstdorf, Germany. His top World Cup results are 14th, 18th, and 18th. He was also 13th in World Juniors the Classic Sprint in 2020. JC is a US Ski Team A Team member and is from Tahoe City, CA and is just 21 years old.