
Pink Snow Conditions (Saturated, New Snow, +20°C to 0°C)

Pink conditions occur when fresh snow becomes thoroughly saturated with water. This happens at temperatures at and well above zero Celsius or in rare circumstances when the ground radiates heat up through the snowpack. The fresh snow is melting, turning into slush and hanging on to almost all its moisture as it melts. The snow is weighty, and sticks to tree branches as it falls. Pink conditions are the slowest conditions. It takes a lot of energy to force a ski through the high levels of suction friction.
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Friction Characteristics
In pink conditions, the layer of fresh snow acts as a seal to keep all the water on the surface. This means the only type of friction to worry about in pink conditions is suction friction. The best way to counteract suction friction is to get some aggressive structure into your ski base with a rill tool or an aggressive stone grind. Highly hydrophobic waxes or fluorinated waxes help a lot as well. Using a stiffer ski will also counteract suction friction by propping up most of the ski - giving space for water to vacate from the bottom of the ski.
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Kick Waxing
Unfortunately, finding a kick wax in pink conditions requires klister - the softest, goopiest klister, to be precise. It is difficult to find a substance that will get a grip on what is essentially liquid water, so what will generally be the best option in these conditions are hairys or zeros. The hairs and burrs on skis set up this way are able to penetrate below the film of water on top of the snowpack and dig into the more frozen layer beneath. Skin skis are also fantastic in these conditions for the same reason.
Products for Pink Snow Conditions
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Vauhti Clean & Glide Liquid Discontinued Version From 2021 Or Earlier
Regular price From $19.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$23.00 USDSale price From $19.00 USDSale -
Rode Multigrade Klister K76 | 60g (6C/-6C)
Regular price $16.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $16.00 USD -
Rode Rossa Klister K40 | 60g (4C/-2C)
Regular price $16.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $16.00 USD -
Rode RXLW RACING EXTRA LIQUID WARM | 80ml (0C/-3C)
Regular price $31.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $31.00 USD -
Rode RLW RACING LIQUID WARM (0C/-3C)
Regular price From $19.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price From $19.00 USD -
STAR NEXT WARM Fluoro-Free Racing Liquid (Sponge Application) | 100mL (0C/-5C)
Regular price $53.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $53.00 USD -
Vauhti GS BASE SUPER Liquid Grip | 80ml
Regular price $22.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $22.00 USD -
Rode LGM LIQUID GLIDER MULTIGRADE (10C/-20C)
Regular price From $19.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price From $19.00 USD -
Rode R50 RACING GLIDER YELLOW MELT WAX (10C/-1C)
Regular price From $16.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price From $16.00 USD -
Rode Black Base Hardwax P70 | 45g (All Temperatures)
Regular price $13.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $13.00 USD -
Rode RXL Racing Liquid Glide Kit
Regular price $114.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $114.00 USD -
Vauhti KS BASE Liquid Klister | 80ml
Regular price $22.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $22.00 USD -
Optiwax Glide Tape 1 (5C/-10C)
Regular price From $14.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price From $14.00 USD -
Rex Glide Cleaner UHW
Regular price From $44.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price From $44.00 USD