How To: Makeshift Ski Brake Retainer

Jan 03, 2007  ·  10:08 AM  ·  permalink

When waxing skis, it’s best if you can clamp your brakes in the up position—that way they don’t interfere with applying or scraping the wax. You can buy a variety of brake retainers commercially, but a couple feet of inexpensive nylon string and a bowline knot will do nicely.

For each brake retainer, cut about 16" of string and tie a bowline knot at one end (see illustration steps 1-6), forming about a two-inch loop. Other knots will work, but if you don’t know how to tie a bowline, now’s a good time to learn—bowlines don’t slip, and no matter how tight they become, they are always easy to untie.

Now drape your string across the top of your ski binding and loop each end under each side of the brake. Bring the string ends back together over the binding, and pass the un-tied end through the bowline loop (see illustration step 7). It will help if you can make this second pass over your binding heel piece.

Pull the brake into the up position by cinching the string tight—you might need to give it some help by pushing down on the binding heel plate (see illustration step 8).

Finally, tie off the loose end of your string against the bowline loop (see illustration step 9) to hold the brake in the up position while you wax. You can do this using a slip-knot, which makes untying easier.

Repeat this for your second ski. Now your brakes should be securely up and out of the so you can achieve waxing zen.