Temperatures are rising, and the snow is melting. That means it’s almost time to hang up your skis for the summer, but it’s not too early to start thinking about next season. How you store and maintain your skis during the off-season determines their condition in the fall. Learn how to care for your ski equipment after, before and during peak ski season.
Post-Season Ski Maintenance
Your skis will need a thorough once-over before they go into hiding for the next six months or more to ensure ski safety and performance for next season. Any issues, including scuffs, cracks and loose connections, will only worsen in storage, so fix them before you tuck your gear away.
Now’s the time to grind away any imperfections in the skis. You can use a handheld buffer to sand down the edges when scrapes and dents appear. Gently smooth out the trouble spots to restore the skis to their original shape without altering the dimensions. When it comes to buffering, less is more. Once you grind away the base, it’s gone for good.
Clean the ski sleds, bindings and poles with a damp, warm cloth. Brush the exterior with firm bristles to remove dirt and debris and wipe them dry to remove any excess moisture that can cause oxidation. If the base is cracked, fill your skis with P-Tex until the surface is smooth and flush. Coat them in a generous pour of wax and store them wrapped in a moving blanket to cushion the edges.
Store your equipment in a dry, room-temperature location out of the sunlight. They should be securely mounted to the wall or adequately supported on the shelf to prevent them from falling.
Inspect your ski clothing and protective equipment, including your full- or half-face helmet, goggles, boots and gloves. Remove or repair items with holes, weak spots and rips that could expose you to the cold. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when laundering your clothes to avoid lessening their ability to keep water at bay.
Check for dents, cracks and discoloration on the helmet. Most models are only good for five years. Replace the helmet if it’s been in an accident.
If you use ski helmet speakers to listen to audio or talk hands-free, remove them from your helmet and store them separately in a travel container or padded case that protects against moisture. You’ll also want to ensure that your communication device is charged every few weeks to maintain the health of the battery. Leaving it untouched for three to fourth months could damage the overall life of the battery.
Off-Season Ski Maintenance
You shouldn’t have to do much to maintain your skis when they’re in storage. However, you can check the storage conditions, including the temperature, moisture levels and the position of your skis, to see if they’re at risk of degrading.
Pre-Season Ski Maintenance
Take your ski gear out of storage and inspect it weeks before the season’s official start. Now is the time to decide if your skis can withstand another riding season. The average pair will degrade after 100 days of use. Riding over obstacles, hard landings, not maintaining the skis and improper handling will further decrease the lifespan. Learn about the types of skiing to see how they affect the condition.
Have a professional inspect your ski bindings before hitting the slopes. They should be adjusted for your boot size and weight. Try on your ski ensemble to see if it still fits. The clothes shouldn’t limit your range of movement or hang too baggy. Put on your helmet with the headphones mounted and adjust the chin strap. The helmet shouldn’t move once it’s on your head or make breathing difficult.
Mid-Season Ski Maintenance
Once your ski gear is up and running, get into the habit of inspecting it before and after every ride to ensure it’s safe to use and treat issues as soon as they appear. Clean and dry the skis at the end of each day to remove grime and moisture.
Tune the skis as the exterior loses its edge. Keep the points sharp to cut through the snow with ease when turning. Wax the skis every few days during the season to maintain lubrication and maximize glide.
The best thing you can do for your skis is pay attention to where you’re going on the slopes. No amount of maintenance will restore your skis if they collide with another rider, tree or rock. Avoid icy patches, areas with minimal ground cover and obstacles protruding from the surface to avoid cracking the base.
Use ski helmet headphones to coordinate with your companions hands-free when navigating the trail. Give each other a heads-up when you get too close, stay on the trail as much as possible and monitor each other’s location to minimize collisions. Stay off the slopes if there’s not enough snow on the ground or visibility is low. Check with the park authorities to ensure it’s safe to ride so you don’t put your equipment at risk.
Protect Your Skis for Years to Come
Skis may not last forever, but you can use the same pair for multiple seasons if you invest in proper maintenance. The condition can change quickly when exposed to the wilderness. Monitor the exterior closely and address issues quickly to make your skis work for you.
