Once hiking season is over and the campsites switch to ‘winter season’ after Canadian Thanksgiving it’s time to get planning the ski season!
Bike stores in Vancouver are now ski shops selling new skis, boots and all the accessories you’ll need to pack for a day of skiing.
In Vancouver, skiing is something we take seriously which perhaps isn’t that surprising since we have one of the world’s best ski resorts under 2 hour’s drive away.
We spend most of the week checking the snow forecast in Vancouver and then head up to the local Vancouver resorts during the week, and the bigger ones at the weekend.
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Where can I get my skis waxed in Vancouver?
Luckily for you, there are many places you can get your skis waxed in Vancouver. That’s just one of the benefits of being so close to the mountains!
The places listed below will help you get your skis waxed in Vancouver and also offer tuning and servicing so that you’ll have a great first day on the mountains once you’ve checked out these places for ski waxing Vancouver has to offer.
West Coast Sports
This is our favourite ski shop in Vancouver and one of the most popular in the Vancouver area. Whatever your skiing or snowboarding needs you’ll probably be able to find it at West Coast Sports on West 4th Avenue. They not only sell snowboarding and skiing gear but they’ll service it for you too.
From our experience the staff are super knowledgeable, you can tell they really know what they’re talking about and they’ll give you honest advice about the best skis and ski boots for you, not just push the most expensive. It’s easy to see why this is one of the busiest ski stores in Vancouver.
West Coast Sports
- 1675 West 4th ave
- WestCoastSports.ca
- Price: Wax from $35, wax and sharpen from $60
MEC
Ski tuning services at MEC back for 2023/2024 ski season after a few years off.
Canada’s answer to REI, MEC is my new go-to for anything outdoors-related. I love browsing here even if I don’t intend to buy anything. Over winter most of their stores offer ski servicing.
Prices can vary so you need to check your local shop for accurate pricing. If you’re looking to rent skis this may be the best place to head for ski rental in Vancouver.
MEC
- Mec.ca
- Price: Tune up from $70 an hour, basic wax from $15.
Crystal Glide
Crystal Glide are a family run business in North Vancouver. They service and repair all types of skis and snowboards.
Crystal Glide
- 1510 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver
- Crystalglide.ca
- Price: Wax from $35, tune from $80
Vancouver Ski Tuning (VST)
Vancouver Ski Tuning offers the only pick up and drop off ski tuning in Vancouver. They can normally get your skis back to you in 1-2 days depending on how busy they are.
If you live in East Vancouver, Kitsilano, Downtown, Fairview or the Westend VST are a great option! If you live a busy life this is one great place to get your skis waxed in Vancouver.
Vancouver Ski Tuning
- They come to you!
- Vancouverskituning.com
- Price: Full tune from $70, hot wax only from $35
Sports Junkies
Sports Junkies is another great outdoors shop on West Broadway. This sport shop in Vancouver also offers same day service and tuning rates. Ideal if there’s some fresh powder forecast!
Sports Junkies
- 102 West Broadway, Vancouver
- Sportsjunkies.com
- Price: Wax from $9.99, basic tune from $59.99
Van Ski
*2023 Update: Seems this is no longer operating
This shop on East 2nd has been specialising in servicing ski equipment since 1972. Not only will they help you get your skis sorted but they also run tuning clinics every week during ski season so you can learn more about it all.
Van Ski
- #271 East 2nd Avenue
- vanski.ca
Get your skis waxed on Vancouver’s mountains
Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten to get your skis waxed before skiing as you can get them serviced on several of the Vancouver ski hills.
Coreshop Tuning Centre Whistler
If you’re heading up to ski at Whistler and are in desperate need of getting your skis waxed then head to the Coreshop Tuning Centers they have up there. There are several outlets to choose from including those listed below.
Your skis and snowboard will definitely be in safe hands with Summit Sport!
Coreshop ski tuning and wax in Whistler
- reekside Core Shop, Blackcomb Daylodge Core Shop, Whistler On-Mountain Tuning (Outside of the Roundhouse Lodge), Blackcomb On-Mountain Tuning (Outside of the Rendezvous Lodge)
- Whistler Blackcomb
Mt Seymour Service Shop
Have a ski pass for Mt Seymour? Drop your skis off when you notice they need a wax or a tune up and pick them up when you’re back on the mountain again.
Mt Seymour Service Shop
- 1700 Mt Seymour Road, North Vancouver
- Mtseymour.ca
- Price: Wax from $15,
Grouse Mountain
Up on Grouse Mountain ‘The Outpost’ shop provides ski waxing and tuning services in Vancouver. If you’re up on Grouse Mountain you’ll find ‘The Outpost’ directly East of the Peak Chalet just minutes from the Skyride.
Grouse Mountain
- 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
- Grousemountain.com
- Price: Wax from $18, service from $60
Cypress Mountain
If, like me, you have a season pass for Cypress Mountain this winter you’ll be pleased to know you can get your skis serviced at one of Vancouver’s best ski resorts. Their season passes also come with a discount at their repair shop too.
Cypress Mountain Repair Shop
- 6000 Cypress Bowl Rd, Vancouver
- Cypressmountain.com
Why should I wax and tune my skis or snowboard?
The more you use your skis the more you’ll wear them down as with pretty much anything. You might have a few chips in the bottom of them, the edges certainly won’t be as sharp (making carving much harder) and the wax will have come off meaning you’re slower on the slopes.
Even if you got your skis waxed towards the end of last season the chances are they could do with some fresh wax now.
Over summer the wax dries out and you’ll find you’re going pretty slow on your first run back.
Basically, serviced, freshly waxed skies make for much more fun on the slopes!
How often should I wax my skis?
There’s no limit to how often you can wax your skis. Wax makes your skis repel the water and therefore makes them go faster. Not only that but you’ll find it much easier to turn with newly waxed skis. Whilst you could go from one season to another without waxing them, you’ll enjoy skiing more when you’ve got your skis waxed.
How often should I tune my skis?
Different snow conditions de-tune skis at different speeds. If you’re a fairly experienced skier and notice your skis aren’t gripping well, you’re not moving as fast or turning seems harder than usual then you should get a tune up, pronto!
The best ski shops will be able to tell you whether you need some ski tuning and what to get.
Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
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