What is Phantom? The Forever Wax that Might Just Change Your Ski Life

What Is Phantom Waxless Glide — and Is It Worth It?

Let’s be honest — ski waxing isn’t anyone’s favorite part of the sport. Between hauling your skis to the shop, waiting for them to get tuned, and paying every time you want that fresh glide… it’s kind of a chore.

Enter Phantom Glide — the “forever wax” that promises to change all that. It’s permanent. It’s high-tech. And yes, it’s a little mysterious. So what is Phantom, and is it really worth it?

We’ve tried it, tested it, and here’s the Divas take.

So, What Exactly Is Phantom?

Phantom is a permanent, one-time ski base treatment created by DPS Skis. Instead of sitting on top of your base like traditional wax, Phantom actually penetrates into the base material — the polyethylene that makes up the bottom of your skis. Once it’s cured (with UV light), it chemically bonds inside the base to make it glide smoother and repel water, forever.

That means:

• No more regular waxing

• No sticky skis after a few warm days

• No smelly, messy wax drips on your garage floor

It’s basically science-meets-snow.

How Does It Work?

Here’s the quick version. Phantom uses a polymer technology that soaks into your ski base. Once exposed to UV light (either natural sunlight or our special curing booth), it hardens and becomes a permanent part of the base.

Once cured, Phantom doesn't wear off like wax — because it’s in the ski, not on it.

It’s also environmentally friendly — no fluorocarbons, no runoff, no micro-particles washing into the watershed. Your skis stay slick, and Mother Nature says thank you.

Does Phantom Really Glide as Well as Wax?

Yes… and sometimes even better.

Phantom performs beautifully in most snow conditions — from early-season cold snow to those sunny spring laps when wax usually fails you. You’ll still get that fast, smooth glide, without having to guess which temperature wax to use.

That said, hardcore racers might still prefer a fresh layer of traditional wax for ultra-specific conditions — but for recreational skiers (a.k.a. 99% of us), Phantom is a dream come true.

What Does It Cost — and Is It Worth It?

A Phantom treatment usually runs about $160–$199 at most shops, and it’s done once for the lifetime of the skis.

Let’s do the math:
If you wax your skis four times a year (and pay $30–$40 each time), Phantom pays for itself in about one season. Plus, you’ll never have to wait for the shop to finish your tune again.

In Diva terms: more time skiing, less time adulting.

The Bottom Line

We’re fans. For most skiers, Phantom is absolutely worth it. It’s cleaner, greener, and a total time-saver — especially for busy women who’d rather be on the mountain than in the tune line.

We recommend Phantom for:

• All-mountain and resort skiers who just want reliable glide all season.

• Families who want low-maintenance gear for kids’ skis. 

• Travelers who don’t want to worry about waxing before every trip.

• Backcountry Skiers - No clogging up expensive skins with wax residue. 

If you love a perfectly tuned, effortless ski experience — and hate adding “get skis waxed” to your to-do list — Phantom might just be your new best friend.