Fluorocarbons remain a hot topic in the Nordic ski world, with the International Ski Federation choosing first to ban fluorinated wax products from the sport beginning with the 2020/2021 season and then reversing that ban at the 11th hour due to a lack of reliable testing. The ban will now go into effect next year, beginning with the 2021/2022 season.
Glacier Nordic Club believes that moving away from a reliance on fluorocarbons will have a positive effect on skiers’ health, the environment, and the sport as a whole. In the environment, these substances can linger and accumulate. There is enough research on the negative health effects of exposure to PFCs and their byproducts to be a concern, particularly in pregnant women. Furthermore, fluorinated waxes are expensive and their use labor-intensive, contributing to a barrier to entry to the racing side of the sport.
Furthermore, due to more and more evidence being found in other industries of the harmful effects of PFOAs, local, state, and federal governments are taking a closer look at the use of these harmful chemicals. We may soon see more laws regulating their use here in the U.S.
Glacier Nordic Club believes that there is no need for Flourocarbons on the courses we groom. This includes perfluorinated “topcoats,” paraffins containing fluorocarbons (colloquially “LF” and “HF” wax products), and kick products – Boulder Nordic Sport put together a good list of fluoro-free kick products).
We ask that all skiers at the Glacier Nordic Center, Big Mountain Nordic Trails and River’s Edge Park in Columbia Falls refrain from bringing fluorinated materials. This means do not bring it in your wax box, do not put it on your skis ahead of time, just don’t use it.
We believe that all forms of skiing, from recreational touring to Olympic-development racing, can happen without the use of these harmful chemicals. Please help us spread the word and work towards a future that is a little better for our planet and our ski community.
We will continue to follow the developments with fluorocarbons and modify our policy as we feel appropriate to reflect our values and beliefs about their use. In the meantime, we urge skiers to take this opportunity to reflect on the impact our habits may have on our environment. And when you wax, please do so safely, in an area with good ventilation, wearing gloves and a respirator.
Read more about the European Union’s Proposal to ban both C8 and C6 fluorocarbons by 2022.
Learn more about PFAS in ski wax from Sweden’s POPFree effort.
Read the study on bioaccumulation in earthworms and voles near a ski area in Trondheim.
For more opinions on the role of waxing in racing, listen to FasterSkier’s podcast interview with legendary racer and current chair of FIS’s cross country sport committee, Vegard Ulvang.
Fluorocarbon Frequently Asked Questions
Break it down for me, what does “fluoro” mean?
Good question. In this case, “fluoro” is a catch-all term for waxes with fluorine added to them. In some cases these waxes contain chemicals PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) like PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). Those byproducts are the cause of the health and environmental concerns related to waxing. Fluorinated chemicals are a growing global concern, ski wax is merely a drop in the bucket. The U.S. is attempting to limit their use, as is the European Union and other countries around the world.
- What is the difference between paraffin and “pure” fluoro?
- Paraffin and “pure fluoro” refer to different types of glide wax. The waxes referred to as “pure fluoros” are treatments used to optimize glide. Paraffin waxes are usually the larger blocks of wax (though liquid paraffins exist). These waxes have hydrocarbon chemical bonds that include smaller amounts of perfluoro chemicals than the topcoats.
- Will this be enforced?
- We are hoping that everyone buys into this policy. There is no viable testing procedure available to us right now, and GNC does not have the capacity to buy equipment nor test, so we are relying on the honor system. We hope that the available information about the potential negative health and environmental effects is enough to get folks to come along with us on this.
- Are the races at the Glacier Nordic Center fluoro free?
- The Glacier Nordic Center at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course is fluoro free.
- If my skis are waxed with fluoros, do I have to strip them before skiing at your groomed courses?
- We are trying to limit the introduction of fluorocarbons into our local environment, so if it is easy for you to cover or clean your skis, please do so. We will note that waxing your skis with fluoros off-site and then coming to ski or race is not in the spirit of our policy.
- What am I supposed to do with my existing fluoros in my wax box?
- We are searching for research on the proper methods for disposing of these products. We will publicize whatever relevant information we come across.
- How do I clean my skis to ensure they are fluoro free?
- Good question! U.S. Ski & Snowboard provided a helpful guide:
- Step 1 CLEANING – Clean the ski thoroughly using an appropriate fluoro cleaner. Once the cleaner dries, brush it well with a “dirty” (fluoro contaminated) brush. Repeat that process a second time. Wipe all dust off the ski with a shop towel.
- Step 2 NEUTRALIZING – Wax two times with fluoro-free glide wax. Allow each application to cool thoroughly. Use “clean” (fluoro-free) tools to apply, scrape, and brush the wax.
- Step 3 RACE WAXING – Use whatever fluoro-free race wax you’re planning to use. Go race fast. If you follow these steps it is unlikely that your skis will be 100% clean (in fact such a thing doesn’t exist), but you won’t be bringing any unfair advantages to competitions and you will have fully complied with the spirit of the fluoro-free policy.
- Good question! U.S. Ski & Snowboard provided a helpful guide:
- Where can I learn more about the research behind these policy decisions?