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Kick wax is used to create friction between the ski and the snow to allow the cross country skier to move. The kick wax is applied in the bowed area of the ski so that when the skier does not have its full weight on the ski the skier will still glide forward with minimal friction. However, when the skier wants to move up the hill the skier pushes down on the ski and kicks down into the snow to push themselves forward. Kick wax is designed to have a high static coefficient of friction and a low kinetic coefficient of friction. The wax embeds the snow crystals into its base during the skiers downward kick allowing the skier to push off the snow. Then after the kick the skier transfers their weight onto the other leg to make the next kick. The forward motion of the ski during the non kicking phase wipes the snow crystals from the ski and allows it to glide.