Technological Advances Beyond Wax
A non-wax base built for cross country skiing with different coefficients of friction:
http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04272577__
A new method of electric waxing which be used to either increase or decrease friction between a man mad surface and ice.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/CuttingEdge/cuttingedge020222.html