Last Updated on October 18, 2023
More and more people are becoming interested in sand skiing, but this niche sport is still at its infancy and the technology supporting it is still not very advanced.
Most people who practiced skiing on sand dunes use a regular pair of skis with a handful of sandboard wax, although with mixed results.
The friction level of sand make it much more resistant to sliding than snow, which means that using proper equipment is a must for enjoying a smooth ride.
Dune skiing pioneer Marie Marvingt advocated for the use of metal and aluminum skis for riding in the desert, and today many skis come equipped with double Metal Laminate which can considerably improve performance downhill.
As members of the Amazon Associate and eBay Partner Network progammes, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Skis for sand skiing
The best skis for sliding on sand are equipped with a laminate base that can be used for waxing.
The majority of skis aren’t really designed for sand dunes, and keep in mind that sand skiing will inevitably ruin your skis.
That said, Henrik May, who entered the Guinness World Record book for fastest skiing on sand in 2010, used a pair of HEAD skis just fine.
What really makes a difference when it comes to sliding down sand vs snow is the application of sand wax: always make sure to apply a generous amount to the base of your skis.
We recommend to either get your hands on a pair of skis with a metal laminate bottom or to modify them by adding a laminate sheet layer yourself before sliding.
Metal Laminate Skis for Sand
Volkl 2021 Mantra 102 Skis | K2 Mindbender 99 Ti Skis 2021 | Nordica 2021 Enforcer 94 Skis | Kastle 2019 MX 99 Skis |
- Volkl 2021 Mantra 102 Skis: Titanal Frame, Carbon Tips & Multi-Layer Wood Core
- K2 Mindbender 99 Ti Skis 2021: Titanal Y-shaped frame, Laminated sidewalls, Aspen & Maple Core
- Nordica 2021 Enforcer 94 Skis: Dual Metal Laminate, Carbon Chassis & Wood Core
- Kastle 2019 MX 99 Skis: Dual Metal Laminate, Tip Rocker & Wood Core
DIY Sand Skis
You can build your own sand skis by adding a layer of Formica sheet or similar laminate material at the bottom of an old pair of wooden skis.
This won’t prevent your skis from wearing out eventually, but it will considerably increase their longevity and make sliding much easier on sand. The process is the same as this for making your own sandboard.
Sand Skiing Destinations Worldwide
Sandsports
Sandboarding Sand Sledding Volcano boarding | Sand Skiing Sand Kiting | Desert Racing Dune Bashing | Desert Travel Desert Camping Desert Running |
The post What skis can you use on sand dunes? appeared first on Surf the Sand.
