Most people wait too long to sharpen their skis. You don’t notice it right away, then one day you go to carve and your edges slide instead of bite.
You don’t need a shop to tell you when it’s time. You can feel it.
1. You Can’t Hold an Edge on Firm Snow
If your skis chatter or slide sideways on hardpack, they’re dull. A sharp edge grips and finishes a turn cleanly. A dull one washes out halfway through.
Obviously, it might also be a skill issue (sorry). But if you’re sliding out on turns you’d normally nail, be suspicious. Run a fingernail gently along the edge. If it feels smooth instead of biting a little, it’s time for a tune.
2. You See Burrs or Rust
Look down the edges under good light. Small burrs, rust spots, or shiny patches mean your edges are no longer smooth. Those spots catch and grab unpredictably.
A quick diamond stone pass can fix light burrs. Anything more and you should get a proper shop sharpen.
3. You Hit Rocks or Gravel
If you’ve skied early season or thin cover, assume you’ve hit something. Even one rock can leave flat spots or dents that kill your edge hold.
Run your finger along the edge. If you feel a nick, don’t ignore it. A small repair now beats a full one later.
4. Your Turns Feel Lazy
Sharp skis want to turn. They pull into the carve and hold it. When they’re dull, you’ll start muscling the ski more and getting less out of it.
If you’re suddenly working harder to get the same control, that’s a clear sign your edges are gone.
5. You Just Finished Some Heavy Skiing
Even if they still feel okay, every five to ten days on firm snow is about the limit before edges start to fade. A light tune before your next trip keeps them consistent and prevents the slow slide into dullness.
Don't Have an Edge Tuner?
You don’t need a full workshop to keep your edges sharp. A simple handheld edge tuner is enough for touch-ups between shop tunes.
If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide to the best snowboard edge tuners. They’re the same tools and work just as well on skis.
Final Thoughts
Ski edges don’t last forever, and waiting until they’re gone makes every run harder than it needs to be. Get them tuned before they feel bad, not after.
If you’re even asking the question… then yes, it’s probably time.
