Is your ski season finished? Are you starting to think more about trail running, hiking, climbing, or mountain biking? Before completely switching over to summer mode, don’t forget to give your ski gear some well-earned TLC before putting it away until the snow returns. By doing this you’ll not only prevent any unpleasant surprises at the start of next ski season, but you’ll also increase the life of your equipment.
Prepping your skis and bindings for storage
The end of the season is the perfect time to do some maintenance on your skis and bindings. Depending on the condition of your skis and the maintenance tools available, all you need to do is follow these steps.
- Visually inspect your skis and bindings to make sure there are no cracks or other damage that might weaken the ski. If in doubt, ask a professional in a ski store or workshop for their opinion.
- Check the condition of your bases and edges. If you have scratches or core shots to the bases, or damage to the edges, take your skis to a ski shop for a full tune including sharpening the edges, repairing any damage, base grind and wax. Of course, if you can do any of this on your own then go for it.
- Clean the bases of your skis with a brass brush. If your base is really dirty, use a rag to go over it with a base cleaner as well.
- Apply a universal wax (all snow conditions) with a waxing iron. Apply the wax generously to properly nourish and protect your base. If you need to step up your waxing skills, check out our advice on how to wax your skis.
- Scrape only the edges (to prevent them from rusting). You won’t scrape the wax off your bases until you’re ready to ski next winter.
- If necessary, use a cloth to apply liquid wax on the top of your skis and bindings to protect them from humidity (and to shine them up one last time).
This end-of-season waxing routine will be the same for touring skis, snowboards and even cross-country skis.
Alpine ski bindings and touring bindings don’t need any special maintenance. If you want, you can loosen the DIN adjustment but remember to reset it at the start of the season. It may be necessary to lubricate the springs or other parts but it’s probably better to get a professional to do this kind of work. Snowboard bindings can be unscrewed from the board and stored separately.
If you use climbing skins for ski touring, dry them completely and store them using skin saver netting – rather than storing them glue on glue – in their bag.
Store your skis together with your poles in a dry, well-ventilated place that’s protected from sun and dust. Placing your skis against the wall of your garage can work well as long as your garage is protected from moisture (including ground moisture ground). If necessary, use a ski bag to protect them from sunlight and dust but avoid bags that are too waterproof, which may hold moisture inside and rust your edges. It doesn’t matter whether you store your skis horizontally or vertically, neither way is better than the other.
Storing your ski boots at the end of the season
As with your skis, moisture is the main concern when it comes to long-term ski boot storage. Here are some tips for prepping your ski boots:
- Remove the liners from the shells and take out the footbeds to let them dry for 24 to 48 hours or until they’re completely dry. Don’t leave them in the sun or too close to a strong heat source.
- If they smell bad, spray the insides of the liners with a disinfectant and let them fully dry.
- If necessary, clean the shells with a damp cloth and let them air dry.
- Inspect your boots’ shells, buckles and soles for wear and tear.
- When everything is dry put the footbeds back in the liners, and the liners inside the shells. Lightly buckle the boots so they keep their shape during storage.
If necessary, put your ski boots in a boot bag and store them in a dry, well-ventilated place. Avoid damp floors like you often find in places like garages or cellars.
Wash and store your ski clothes
Wash your ski clothes and gloves one last time before storing them in your closet. For advice on how to care for your ski clothing check out “How to wash your ski jacket and ski pants” and “How to wash your Gore-Tex clothing and reactivate the waterproofing.”
Put your ski goggles in their storage bag to protect the lens and store them together with your clothes or your ski helmet.
You can use a garment bag but avoid bags with a compression system which may save space but aren’t so great for your clothing.
Store your safety equipment
Your safety equipment and rescue gear require regular inspection all winter long so they’re always ready to go when needed. At the end of the season, carry out all the recommended checks and maintenance to avoid any unnecessary surprises if you get an unexpected early snowfall next season. If you need advice on anything specific, don’t hesitate to ask your local ski shop for help.
- Avalanche transceiver: remove the batteries from your transceiver before storing it. Use the downtime in summer to have it checked in a ski shop or directly at the manufacturer.
- Avalanche airbags: your airbag should be checked every year and deactivated before you store it. Take it to your local ski shop for inspections that are specific to each model.
- First aid kit: instead of storing it away, adapt the contents to your different activities throughout the year.
- Helmet and body armor: inspect for wear and tear then store your helmet and other protection together with your ski clothes.
There you have it! Your ski gear is now ready for a hard-earned rest. Remember to always take good care of your equipment at the end of every season and then enjoy your summer!
