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  • Start Haus Ski Tuning Instructional Videos - Part 3 - Tools

    Start Haus Ski Tuning Instructional Videos - Part 3 - Tools

    The Next 3 videos in our World Cup Ski Tuning Series walks us through some key tool & tool maintenance points. The right clamps for the job, files and taking care of your tools.

    First up, caring for your ski tuning tools:

    Next, the right clamps for holding your files to your edge angle and base bevel guides:

    All you need to know about files:

    If you want all the ski tuning videos in one place, you can buy the World Cup Ski Tuning DVD here, and you can get all the tools and wax you need here.

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  • Start Haus Ski Tuning Videos - Part 2 - Base Bevel & Sidewalls

    Start Haus Ski Tuning Videos - Part 2 - Base Bevel & Sidewalls

    In the next three videos, we'll get you started tuning your skis. First up, you'll have to set the base bevel on your ski:

    Next up, let's talk about sidewalls. You'll need to be able to work with your ski's sidewall to work on the ski's edge, specifically setting the side angle:

    And here Jim shows us how to shape the sidewall, both setting you up to work on the edge and creating a smooth surface for the ski to run on up on edge:

    In case you missed the first series of videos, click here, or stay tuned as the series continues on our Youtube channel here.

    And of course, get all the ski tools you need at starthaus.com.

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  • Start Haus Ski Tuning Instructional Videos - Part 1

    Start Haus Ski Tuning Instructional Videos - Part 1

    Welcome to the Start Haus ski tuning video series, where Start Haus owner and World Cup Serviceman Jim Schaffner shows you how to tune your skis like a pro, making tuning easier and your skis faster.

    We'll add videos each week, taking you through the ins and outs of ski tuning and waxing.

    First up, meet Jim:

    Next up, Jim shows you how to set up your work station with the right tools in the right places so you can work quickly and efficiently. You can shop ski tools here.

    Last in this week's group, Jim shows you how to position your body to work efficiently, more leverage and less energy goes a long way in getting your skis set right without an achy back:

    Now that we've got your work station and your positioning dialed in, we'll move onto tuning next week. If you have any questions, shoot us an email at online@starthaus.com or call the shop. You can buy the entire World Cup Ski Tuning DVD here.

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  • Start Haus Wax Call - Picking the Right Wax For Your Ski Race

    Today the Start Haus covers the whole range of the skiing world, from powder skis to frontside rippers - but our roots are in ski racing.

    One of the services we provide as a part of our ski racing community is a wax call for all the ski races happening in and around the Lake Tahoe area, giving Jim Schaffner's (a World Cup ski technician and owner of the Start Haus) expert advice on how to get the most performance out of your skis for a given race.

    Some of you have been following our wax calls for years. But if you haven't we have two videos explaining the process, and how to best utilize the information we put out each week.

    First, the selection process of waxes for a given race, based on wax hardness, flouro content and the use of anti-stat:

    And second, what to do with that information - properly waxing your skis with the suggested waxes, anti-stats and overlays:

    If you have any questions, don't hesitate to shoot us an email at online@starthaus.com, or call us at (530) 582-5781.

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  • Get your skis ready for summer

    As ski season winds down and you move onto other activities - mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding - whatever you enjoy in the summer - there's one last step you should take before forgetting about your skis.

    A storage wax job for your skis is a critical step many people skip that will keep your ski bases in much better shape for next season. It's quick and easy, and it'll save you time and money next season, not to mention keep up the performance of your skis.

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  • Start Haus Ski News - Feb. 22

    Welcome to the Start Haus’ Tahoe Ski News blog where we’ve got all the latest on ski racing & competition, the best ski deals, wax calls and other Tahoe ski related news.

    Send your race, ski event or results to website@starthaus.com. with the headline: Tahoe Ski News to get them listed here each week.

    Ski resorts got up to a foot of fresh snow this week and the skiing is fantastic!

    A Start Haus ski tester trying out next year's Volkl One powder ski at Sugar Bowl this week. Photo by Sylas Wright/Sierra Sun.

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  • Wintersteiger Micro NC - the best ski grind available

    The Start Haus is known as one of the best ski shops in the country,  with numerous awards, accolades and some of the world's top skiers relying on us to work on their skis and ski boots.

    One of the tools that makes our shop on of the best in the country is the Wintersteiger Micro NC grinder - the only one publicly available in North America!

    The Wintersteiger Micro NC can create patterns and structures in the base of a ski no other ski grinder can.

    An example of one of the unique grinds the Wintersteiger Micro NC can create.

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  • Wax Call for Sugar Bowl GS 4-15-12

    Wax Call for Sugar Bowl GS 4-15-12

    For Tahoe spring races, there are some consistent tricks for speed.  Our Spring snow changes from 1st run to second run; and there is dirt, oil, tree sap as well as pollen mixed into the snow.  We are also dealing with some dusting's of new snow.  You will need to use some form of antistat to keep the dirt, oil and tree sap from adhering to your wax mix. Graphite plays a key role in the performance of your antistat thus why we also carry high fluoro graphite to use as an additive to any base wax.  The best is Start Haus Warm Antistat by Dominator or Dominator FG88 or SRB32.  These should be rubbed on the dry base before you iron your wax in.  It is also effective to mix these antistats with your overlay to help repel dirt.

    Base:

    • Dominator - Race Zoom Old Snow/SRB32 or HF Pink/SRB32 50/50 Mix
    • Holmenkol - Hybrid Red/SRB32 50/50 Mix
    • Swix - LF8/SRB32 50/50 Mix
    • Toko - LF Red/SRB32 50/50 Mix
    • Note: Dominator SRB32= Start Haus Warm Old Snow

    Overlay:

    • Holmenkol - Wet Speed Block
    • Swix
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