You've Had a Great Ski Season, Now It's Time to Show Your Gear Some Love
Spring is here, the snow is melting, your local resort has closed, and you're already turning your focus to summer hiking and backpacking trips. Before you dump your ski gear in a corner to gather dust and rust over the humid summer months, use this guide to properly prepare your snowboards and skis for summer storage. A little summer prep will prolong the life of your ski gear and ensure you are ready to hit the slopes as soon as the first flakes fall next winter.
Gather the Needed Tools
- Base Cleaner
- Wax Iron
- Wax for Expected Temperatures
- Wax Scraper
- Edge File
- Saw Horses, or Snowboard/Ski Vice
Step 1: Preparing Binding for Storage
Your bindings handle an incredible amount of force as you ride all season. Take a moment to inspect and clean them and look for any damage. If you have a snowboard remove or loosen the bindings. This will protect your top sheet and binding inserts by relieving the tension a mounted binding exerts on them. If you have skis loosen the DIN settings on each binding's toe and lock the heals in the ski position. These settings make sure there is no tension on your ski binding's springs, so they are fresh for next season.
Step 2: Tune Edges to Prevent Rust
Inspect the edges of your skis or snowboard looking for any rust, or burrs. If you see any issues, use a ski or snowboard edge file to sharpen and file down any trouble spots. Even if you don't see any rust, be sure to remove any burrs, because they will form rust first.
Pro-Tip: Make sure you use a specially designed edge file. They are designed to ensure you never dull or bevel your edges. Or if you aren't comfortable tuning your own edges, consider having your local shop do it for you.
Step 3: Clean Your Ski or Snowboard Base
As the snow melts with spring it becomes increasingly dirty and so do your skis and snowboards. Us a base cleaner to give your base a thorough cleaning. You should always follow the directions on the bottle, but the basic idea is to spray on the base cleaner and then wipe the base clean with an old rag. This should leave your base clean and ready for a thick coat of summer wax.
Step 4: Protect Your Base with a Thick Layer of Wax
Next, apply a thick coat of wax. If you aren't familiar with how to wax your base, consult our waxing guide to learn how to wax skis and snowboards like a pro. A soft warm or all-temp wax is a good choice for summer storage because it will suite early winter conditions for your first day on the slopes next season. Apply a generous layer of wax, about double what you would use for a regular wax. For summer storage you won't be scraping the wax. This will seal and protect your base during storage, and all you will need to do next season is scrape the wax and you'll be ready for first-chair.
Step 5: Find the Perfect Storage Spot
If you have a bag for your skis and snowboards, place them inside and find a spot to store them. Avoid areas like a hot and humid attic or damp basement. The ideal spot will have a constant temperature and humidity. Good places to consider storing your skis or snowboard include under a bed or an inside closet.
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