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Nat Brown
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The Complete Guide to Cross-Country Ski Preparation Paperback – July 1, 1999

by Nat Brown (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 31 ratings
See all formats and editions

* Covers mechanics, techniques and tools, repairs, and more
* Nat Brown was the U.S. Cross-Country team and U.S. Biathalon Team waxer for two Olympics and five World Championships

If you ski competitively, good ski preparation can win the race. If you ski for recreation, proper ski preparation will enhance your enjoyment. Here is the complete, hands-on guide to the tools and techniques necessary to ready skis for optimal performance. Emphasizing simplicity and practicality, Nat Brown guides skiers through all the techniques-basic to advanced-needed to produce fast skis. He covers the basic mechanics of skis and wax; all the factors that can affect a ski's speed and how to minimize or eliminate them; and advanced topics such as testing and repairs. Written by an expert ski and wax technician, this book is based on more than 30 years of field experience.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    144 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Mountaineers Books
  4. Publication date
    July 1, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0898866006
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0898866001
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a 'Did you know?' book, and Nat Brown KNOWS lots. If you want faster skis, you should know it too. ― Bert Kleerup, director, Ski Research Group

This manual is the complete 'gold standard' for ski preparation and waxing. ― Steven Gaskill, US Olympic Ski Coach

Well-written and very entertaining with plenty of anecdotes from past Olympic and World Cup races. ― Cross-Country Skier

Since few skiers can just walk into a World Cup or Olympic waxroom to see what's going on, this book is the next best thing. ― Pete Hale

About the Author

Nat Brown brings twenty-five years of experience to this guide. He is considered by his peers to be the most knowledgeable person in North America on the subject of ski waxing. He lives in Edmonds, Washington.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mountaineers Books; 1st edition (July 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0898866006
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0898866001
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 31 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
31 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

x
5.0 out of 5 stars A little dated but the only book on the topic
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
To my knowledge, this is the only book that is solely on waxing XC skis. Some of the information is a little dated but useful. Usual information on hot glide waxing and a section on structuring using sandpaper. I highly recommend this book for those who use grip-waxed skis.
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference book for contemporary ski touring.
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
My ski touring experience began in the 1960s using cane poles and wooden Bonna skis which I had to coat the bottoms with pine tar and use various waxes for various snow conditions.
This compact and info-loaded manual is still a good and useful reference for today's ski touring participants. A fine collectable book.
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Kelly Squires
4.0 out of 5 stars The Wax guide.
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2000
This is really the only waxing book for serious skiers. Perhaps a bit much for a novice. Given evolving waxing technology the reader will have to also read the latest wax company literature to stay up to date.
11 people found this helpful
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Eugene McGloin
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very good and in-depth study with regard to waxing x-c skis.
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Richard W. Montague
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Cross-Country Ski Preparation on the Market"
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2005
I noticed your ad in a recent issue of Cross Country Skier and decided to check your website out. As a result thereof, I ordered through Amazon your book.

After more than 50 years of cross country skiing experience, I can honestly say yours is the best book on this subject which I have ever read. I found your text extremely interesting and informative. You really know your stuff!

I thought that I knew a point or two after taking the Swix waxing course, but I have now learned that I am still only an amateur when it comes to waxing to perfection.

Hope we met some day! Good waxing!

Richard W. Montague, Ebenhausen, Bavaria, Germany
5 people found this helpful
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David Kuphal
5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Titles Says it All
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2006
This book gives a very complete lesson on ski prep. It is easy to read and well indexed, serving as a shelf reference when needed. The wording is descriptive enough, but for the true beginner, illustrations are lacking. If you get a chance to observe someone else actually go through the procedure of ski prep, this book will complement your lesson extremely well.
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XC Tech
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2009
Excellent book. Must read if you are serious about waxing your cross-country skis (good for beginers, too).
One person found this helpful
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Marko Gracer, Former Head Coach, Slovenia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book of ski preparation
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2001
The book is for all people in cross country skiing, not only for trainers, also for competitors, for every serviceman and for all amateurs. Only someone who has such a experiances from his work can write a book with knowledge for all. Or like Peter Hale wrote:" Since few skiers can just walk into a World cup or Olympic waxroom to see what's going on, this book is the next best think." I think that all we working in CC skiing can say just:" Thank you Nat for such a great present!"
It's the best practical book of cross country skiing I've ever read.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Patrick W Shannon
5.0 out of 5 stars Cross country ski waxing.
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excellent. Covers all aspects of waxing. Many great tips.
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Tricky
5.0 out of 5 stars Great DIY for Keeping waxed and ready for action.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
The only waxing book needed for a dude to keep their sticks smooth and ready for action.

Shows methods, process and tools needed to keep you smooth and racey.

Be the envy of all those on the circuit as you kick and glide passed.
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Andy Say
3.0 out of 5 stars It will take me some time to assimilate all the information in this book and I suspect that much of it will be redundant for a n
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
I guess I was hoping for a book that said 'you put this wax here and this wax there and off you go'. This is just so much more and initially went right over my head. It will take me some time to assimilate all the information in this book and I suspect that much of it will be redundant for a numpty recreational skier like me.
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Stewart E. Jeffery
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for waxing and tuning cross-country skis.
Reviewed in Canada on March 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
Realy like the format of the book and how it is layed out for a beginner like me. I used to wax my downhill skis and liked
doing that but since I had to quit downhill (bad injuries) I want to know how to correctly wax my c.c. skis -- which is more
complicated. This book clearly explains all the different waxes and their applications for the different types of snow and
temperature variations, which are many around Kamloops, B.C..
One person found this helpful
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Big Pete
3.0 out of 5 stars You'll probably learn something you didn't know.
Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
There's gems and tricks in there, but it's a thin volume that could use some re-organizing and a photo editor. I'm a mid-level skiier and I found a lot of good basic stuff.
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