Maintain Your Ski Gear Year Round

When the snow melts and the chairlifts close for the season, it’s common to shuffle your winter gear into storage, replacing it with summer equipment. For months, your ski equipment languishes in a garage or basement, ignored until the air turns crisp. Wait! You need to maintain your ski gear to make it last for years and years!

When you get ready to hit the slopes again, you’re likely to find skis and boards in desperate need of waxing and bindings that need adjusting unless you regularly maintain your ski gear. You may even find an unpleasant surprise: rust building up on the edges of your gear. The last thing you want is to pull your skis out in the fall to see tiny red flakes of rust accumulated on the edges. Protect your gear by sharpening the edges and putting a solid layer of wax over them. Keep this wax in place (rather than scraping it off) to protect your equipment throughout the summer season.

The truth is you must maintain your ski gear, be it skis or snowboard, year-round, not just during the winter months. It’s essential to periodically tune-up your gear, so it’s in top condition when the next season rolls around. Here are several ways to keep your equipment in top shape when you maintain your ski gear like a pro:

Store Your Snowboard and Skis Somewhere Dry

It can be to throw your winter equipment in the corner of the garage, but this invites the environment to wreak havoc on them. Instead, find a place inside where it’s cool and dry, where they won’t be able to get damp or exposed to bright sunlight.

While you’re at it, make sure you store them in a position that doesn’t put too much pressure on the bindings. Lie them flat and even, and don’t hang them.

Taking Care of Your Ski Boots

Whether you’re a skier or a snowboarder, take some time to check your boots. Make sure the padding isn’t worn, and the bindings fit correctly. Store your shoes somewhere dry, and replace any fabric showing signs of wear and tear.

When you take the time to prepare your ski equipment for the summer season, you extend its life, allowing you to hit the slopes in record time when winter falls.

Tuning and Waxing Your Ski Gear

It’s easy to leave things to the wayside and say you’ll get to them tomorrow. But when it comes to ski gear, the same strategy might not work to your advantage. When you want to enjoy optimal skiing conditions, you’ll find that you need to tune and wax your gear.

It’s like running shoes; if you don’t switch them out every few years, they’ll wear down over time. Much like running shoes, skis and snowboards experience a lot of wear and tear during the season. So how often do you need to take care of them? And is it important for you to maintain them even during the off-season?

When To Tune and Wax Your Skis

Tune and wax your gear regularly to keep them in prime condition. There’s no need for you to maintain skis and snowboards every day. If you did that, you might overdo it and waste hard-earned money. However, you do want to take care of them on the days you enjoy out on the slopes. A few key reminders when considering how often to tune your gear is this:

• Dry equipment after every use. This stops rust, corrosion, and overall damage.
• Wax your skis & boards about every 4-6 days.
• Edges should be maintained every day when riding with a diamond file.
• Edges are often not taken care of as much as tuning and waxing when they should be considered in the same way. Filings edges will help you balance your speed, stops, and movement on the snow. A day can easily be ruined or feel less enjoyable when these things are not taken care of right away. And who wants to come back from the mountain in a bad mood?

Knowing when to maintain your ski gear can be a bit of a tricky business because it can be determined. If you’re traveling to a new ski area, you most certainly want to make sure your skis are waxed. If you feel snow is starting to get sticky, that’s another good indicator to hop to it. Use your best judgment and do a little research if you’re still unsure. You’ll have a better understanding and won’t be guessing when it’s the most convenient.

Why Is It Tuning and Waxing So Important?

Many people think that since snow is already slippery, there’s no way that waxing or tuning is needed. If you choose not to have these services done either at a shop or on your own time, you can skip it. But also be aware of how much quicker gear can wear down and need to be switched out. While waxing and tuning aren’t going to stop gouges from exposed rocks from potentially happening, they can prevent seal bases from drying out.

What Type of Wax Should I Use?

Maintain your ski gear and it’ll last longer through regular waxing and tuning. There are quite a few options when it comes to choosing a wax. The best answer is that “it depends.” Several factors determine which ones to use, like the climate (or temperature range) you’ll be skiing in or the type of terrain you’ll be tackling. The most used in shops (and that can be purchased) are rub-on wax, hot waxes, and high-performance wax. The latter is best suited for advanced skiers but does have a wide selection from which to choose. Again, it all comes down to where you’re skiing, what type of skiing you’re doing, etc.

Being good to your skis and snowboards is like taking care of shoes, cars, and even your clothes. You want them to be in top form for as long as you can, and each has its steps and tips to follow to extend its longevity. Be sure to utilize your local ski shops while you’re at a resort.

The techs there will help provide more guidance and answer more crucial questions about the upkeep of your equipment. Skier Deals features many ski shops across the country for you to quickly access, so you can start your search there before heading off on your ski trip and maybe even find a ski tuning coupon. Stay safe on the snow, and don’t forget to squeeze in some tuning and waxing for your gear.