Green Snow Conditions (Cold, Squeaky Snow, -12°C to -30°C)

Green conditions have two types of friction: kinetic and electrostatic. Kinetic friction is the result of snow crystals being frozen so hard they have no trouble biting into your ski's base. Using the hardest wax possible is key in green conditions. Synthetic hardeners straight or mixed in with your hardest melt wax may be even better. Since snow this cold holds virtually no liquid water, electrostatic friction becomes an issue where electrons are ripped away as your ski tries to glide. Graphite or gallium can help with reducing electrostatic friction. Because humidity is so low, fluor compounds are usually unhelpful and can sometimes get in the way of good glide. Low Fluor or non-fluor waxes may out-test high fluor waxes if it’s dry enough.

Pretty much anything will give you grip in these conditions, but the main question is, 'How much grip is too much grip?’ Green grip waxes are very hard, but some of them are also tacky or sometimes have tar additives. The tacky ones are essentially base binders. Often just a base binder is the best grip vs. glide combo in these conditions. Green waxes that aren’t tacky need to have a base binder to keep them on the ski since green conditions are abrasive. Keeping layers of hardwax thin and the number of layers minimal is very important in these conditions.