Ski Edge Bevel Guide: Base & Side Angles | Race Werks

Ski Edge Bevel Guide for Racers

Sharp edges win races. On firm, injected courses, the difference between an edge that holds and one that skids is often measured in tenths of a degree. This guide explains what edge bevel is, common angles racers start from, and how to maintain your edges at home with the right tools.

What Is Edge Bevel?

Every ski edge has two surfaces that meet at a corner: the base edge (on the bottom of the ski) and the side edge (on the side). Bevel is the angle each surface is tuned to:

• Base bevel lifts the base edge slightly off the snow. A bit more base bevel makes a ski easier to release and roll onto edge; less base bevel makes it engage sooner and feel more aggressive.
• Side bevel sharpens the corner. More side bevel creates a more acute edge that bites harder on ice.

Together they set the edge angle. For example, a 1° base bevel with a 3° side bevel is often called a “1/3 tune.”

Common Starting Points

There is no single “correct” tune. The angles below are common starting points racers and tuners use; your coach, the snow, and your ski’s factory tune should guide the final choice.

Tip: Change one angle at a time and ski it before changing anything else. Base bevel in particular is hard to undo, so be conservative.

Base Bevel: Set It Once, Then Leave It Alone

Your base bevel is usually set by a shop stone grind or carefully with a base guide, then left alone for most of the season. Repeatedly filing the base edge steadily increases the bevel and can make skis feel vague. When you do need to set or restore it, use a dedicated guide such as the Swix World Cup base edge file guides, the Ski Man base edge file guide, or the SVST The Final Cut base edge beveling tool.

Side Edge Maintenance: Step by Step

1. Lock the ski down. Clamp the ski on its side in a vise so it can’t move. See our tuning benches and vises.
2. Knock down burrs and case hardening. Rocks and gates leave hardened spots that dull files. Run a coarse diamond stone or gummy stone along the edge first.
3. Cut back the sidewall. If the sidewall material sits flush with the steel, your file or stone rides on plastic instead of metal. A sidewall cutter removes a thin strip so tools contact only the edge.
4. File the side edge (only when needed). Use a side edge guide set to your angle, such as Swix racing side edge bevel guides or an adjustable SVST Pro Edge Beveler, with a sharp file like the Swix Pro chromed file. Work tip to tail with light, even pressure. Files remove a lot of material, so save them for setting a new angle or repairing damage.
5. Polish with diamond stones, coarse to fine. This is your regular maintenance. Progress through grits with a guide, for example DIAFACE Moonflex diamond stones or Swix Pro racing diamond files. Keep diamonds wet so they cut cleanly.
6. Finish with a ceramic stone. A final pass with a ceramic edge finisher leaves a very smooth, keen edge.
7. Remove the burr and clean up. A very light pass along the base edge with a fine stone removes any hanging burr without changing the base bevel. Wipe away metal filings with Fiberlene before waxing.

How Often Should You Tune Edges?

Many racers polish their side edges with diamond stones after every day on firm snow and only reach for a file when stones no longer bring the edge back. Run a fingernail lightly across the edge: if it shaves the nail, the edge is sharp; if it slides, it’s time for a touch-up.

Should You Detune Tips and Tails?

Race skis are generally tuned sharp from tip to tail so the whole edge holds in the course. If a ski feels “hooky” when initiating turns, a very light touch at the extreme tip and tail contact points can help, but go slowly and talk with your coach first. Once an edge is dulled, the only way back is more filing.

Don’t Forget the Wax

Edge work comes first, then wax. Metal filings in a freshly waxed base slow you down, so always tune edges before you wax. For the full waxing process, read our Race Ski Wax Prep & Set Up guide and browse our race wax.

Build Your Edge Tuning Kit

• Edge beveling tools: side edge guides and adjustable bevelers
• Files and whetstones: chromed files, diamond stones, and ceramic finishers
• Benches and vises: a stable, secure setup
• Tune kits: a complete starting point

New to tuning? Start with our Ski Tuning Basics. Have questions about the right angles for your racer? Stop by the shop in Boise or give us a call. We’re happy to help you dial in your tune.