Product Description
Event Gear started producing ski wax in 2021, to provide a fast, viable replacement for "banned" fluorocarbon waxes. The FIS ( ski racing's govening body) stated they were going to start enforcement of their fluorocarbon wax ban.
At that time, most brands heavily used fluorocarbons for their performance additives. These flourocarbons created PFAS and PFOS, which are called "forever" chemicals due to the difficulty in removing or neutralizing them. The various PFAS were linked to vaious types of cancers, and other health issues. Abrading the fluorocarbons into the snow put them into the soil and water, and melting the wax created fumes that harmed the person waxing. Event Gear brought a flouro-free wax to the market to meet the FIS rules for fluoro-free products while offering world-cup worthy performance.
Our first wax, named Speed Glide, used a refined synthetic paraffin base, and some natural wax elements along with a number of additives. Current wax options from Swix, Toko, etc. are similar in that you put a lot of additives into a block of paraffin as modifiers in order to provide a bit better performance on various snow types / temperatures.
While a little cleaner than petroleum based wax, our own Speed Glide still had a lot of chemicals and particulates in the ingredients list. However, there was just one big fly in the ointment. Though the FIS banned fluorocarbons, there was no testing, and ZERO enforcement. Needless to say, not a lot of people stopped using wax with flourocarbons!
We recognized that the best way to get people to stop using flouros is by making something faster. In pursuit of this goal, we examined all the wax technology, from fluoros to eco-friendly blends, 2-part UV cured coatings, petroleum based, synthetic based, you name it.
We also studied the various environmental implications, including the chemicals and other ingredients that went into the productioin of the product, durability, and economics. During our study of the eco-consequences of the various additives, we came across studies by CU Boulder on the effect of particulates in the snow that were eye-opening.
In summary, they showed a direct correlation between particulates in the snow and accelerated rates of melting. In summary, the particles heat up, and radiate heat into the surrounding snow. This rapid melting then alters stream flows, which has a literal trickle down effect into aggriculture and recreation.
The other area we found in researching the eco-effects of various chemicals and additives was that once stuff went into the water, most of it was not coming out, as few water treatment facilities had the equipment in place to adaquately filter drinking water to prevent human consumption.
There are multiple articles on PFAS contamination in Park City's water, and many ski towns in the EU also see high PFAS levels, with the common element being ski wax abraded into the snow, which then turns into the water supply.
Removing flouro's from our wax was pretty easy, but recognizing how many chemicals and particulates went into our Speed Glide, we embarked on developing an all-new product that led in speed, and did not create additional pollutants. Eliminating particulate pollutants and provide world-cup speed was anything but easy.
In just our little corner of the world, Aspen, Vail, Winter Park, Steamboat, Copper and other ski areas run-off into the Colorado River. Not only do thousands of people rely on this water in the local towns, but the Colorado River provides essential water for about 40 million people.
So, we went back to work. We threw out the old wax recepie book where you took a block of paraffin or synthetic paraffin, and loaded it up with modifiers (chemicals and particulates) to enhance it's performance on differnt snow types and temperatures.
What we developed with Simplyfast is unique in that our hard snow blend and soft snow blend are entirely different compositions to provide exceptional perfromance while eliminating pollutants.
Our development objectives were fast, clean, easy: We have this on our label. Simplyfast is proving to be very fast, having been used by US Ski Team members in 2024 in top competitions. It sets the bar for clean, using all FDA approved ingredients, with zero chemical or particulate additives. It's very easy to use. Just selct the wax by snow type, and then collect your trophy!
Last, a word on packaging.
We deveoped our packaging focusing on reduce, in the reduce, re-use, re-cycle. flow chart. We also wanted something that let you see what you were buying, not hidden inside a plastic or paper box.
Though recycling rates are getting better, it is still a low percent of any given packaing type--paper , plastic, alu. We minimized our packaging materials weight to just 8 grams, with most of that weight in the recyclable header card, and our poly bag is under 1 gram. The reusable rubber bands are to keep the wax blocks from cracking in shipping, but in a pinch, doubled up they make good brake holders!
Our bulk wax comes in reusable poly bags.
We are the first to recognize Event Gear has yet to produce the perfect ski or bike products, but race use in 2024 showed Simplyfast is delivering world-class performance, excellent durability, and industry leading cleanliness.
