About Us - Born in a Garage | Dad's Garage Ski Wax Works

The Story Behind Dad's Garage

Hey there! I'm Jeff, and if you've ever found yourself tuning skis in a chilly garage at night, you're in good company. Dad's Garage Ski Wax Works was born from exactly that kind of scene—me pulling the car out, setting up a folding table, and perfecting ski waxes to keep up with my fearless 12-year-old son.

What started as a fun, family-based hobby back in junior high—tinkering in the basement with friends—eventually turned into a real mission. Along the way, all those years of helping my kids with science fair projects taught me a thing or two about testing and methodology. It turns out the same careful approach works wonders when you're developing the perfect ski wax.

Why "Dad's Garage"?

That was the only place when I was older that I was able to wax my skis—in the garage at nighttime. I'd pull my car out, you know, get one of those folding tables, put a plastic tablecloth over it, clamp on the clamps, and wax the skis.

Eventually I moved up to my own waxing table, different types of sharpening, and different techniques. But every time, it's been at nighttime, on the weekends, in the garage. The only place I'm really allowed to work.

So yes, it's called Dad's Garage because that garage is where all the careful tinkering and testing happens. It's where I learned to melt, mix, and test waxes with the same kind of curiosity and precision you'd find in a science fair experiment.

The Real Mission

One of the things I wanted to do is make sure I could keep up with my son. He's 12 years old, fearless, so I need every little advantage I could get. That's why I was creating faster and better waxes—to keep up with the kids.

I was trying to target families and dads initially, but it's going to be bigger than that, obviously. I need a bigger market. But the heart of this company is still that garage-based passion project—a dad trying to keep up with his fearless kid on the mountain.

And now, it's all about creating something bigger—helping families, other dads, and anyone who loves a smooth ride on the slopes with waxes that actually work, are safe for the environment, and won't break the bank.

Our Mission & Values

Performance First

We don't compromise on speed or durability. Our waxes must outperform petroleum alternatives.

Environmental Responsibility

100% plant-based, biodegradable, and PFAS-free. We protect the mountains we love.

Garage Innovation

Small-batch, handcrafted quality. Every bar is made with care in Connecticut.

Science Fair Methodology

Years of helping kids with science fairs taught us proper testing methodology—we apply it to every formula.

Meet the Founder

Jeff Bourke

Founder & Chief Wax Engineer

Jeff is a dad who refuses to let his fearless 12-year-old son leave him in the dust on the slopes. When he's not in the garage perfecting wax formulas at night, you'll find him testing products on the mountains of Connecticut and Vermont.

What started as tinkering in the basement with friends in junior high evolved into a serious passion project. Years of helping his kids with science fair projects taught him the importance of proper testing methodology—knowledge he now applies to every wax formula.

"I started this company because I needed faster wax to keep up with my son. Now I'm on a mission to help every parent, skier, and snowboarder experience that same edge—one garage-made bar at a time."

Why We're Different

We Test Everything

Every formula is tested on real mountains, in real conditions, by real skiers (including a fearless 12-year-old). No lab-only claims.

We're Transparent

We list every ingredient, share our test data, and explain exactly how our waxes work. Science fair methodology means showing your work.

We Care About the Planet

100% biodegradable, zero PFAS, zero petroleum. We're AVA Certified Vegan and proud of it. Our kids deserve clean mountains.

We're Made in America

Every bar is handcrafted in a Connecticut garage at night, on weekends. Supporting local manufacturing and quality control, one folding table at a time.

Born in a Garage