End of Season Checklist: Care for Your Gear

Sadly, the ski season is coming to an end, or for some it already has. Soon your focus may turn toward warmer weather activities, but before you do, it is wise to give your gear some TLC before storing it away for the season. Doing so will ensure you are ready to hit the slopes again when the snow returns, and it will increase the lifespan of your precious gear.

The tips below should be followed to make sure you take care of your gear just as well as it takes care of you. Don’t just throw your gear in a box or in the corner of the garage. It deserves better. The last thing you want when next season starts again is to find a bunch of delamination, funky smells, and warped gear.

• Related: How Often Should You Wash Your Ski Gear?

Skis and Bindings

• Visually inspect skis, bases, and edges. If any damage, get a full tune to fix the damage, grind the bases, and sharpen the edges.
• Clean the bases of the skis/boards with base cleaner and apply a universal wax to keep them from drying out. Do not scrape the wax off but leave it on to protect the bases in storage. Don’t forget to scrape it off when you pull them out for next season.
• If desired, you can loosen the DIN setting and lubricate the springs. Just don’t forget to reset the DIN before skiing again to avoid a double eject.
• Store the skis/boards in a well-ventilated location protected from sun and dust. Moisture is the enemy when it comes to ski storage. Using a ski bag can help.

Boots

• Remove the liners and foot bed from the shells and dry completely for 24-48 hours.
• Clean the outside of the shells with a damp cloth to remove any dirt.
• When everything is dry, put the liners and footbed back into the shell.
• Lightly buckle the boots so they keep their shape and don’t warp.
• Store boots in dry, well-ventilated location.

Outerwear

• Months of sweat, oil drips, dust, and dirt mean it is imperative to wash your jackets, bibs, and pants before storing them for the off-season.
• Refer to the label instructions on each garment to ensure proper washing and to reactivate the waterproofing. Don’t forget to empty the pockets and close the zippers and Velcro straps beforehand.
• Repair any rips or tears.
• Goggles and helmet should be dry and stored in the protective storage bag they came in and not compressed.

Safety Equipment

• Remove the batteries from your transceiver to avoid corrosion.
• Perform recommended checks and maintenance on the transceiver or have it checked out at a ski shop or with the manufacturer. Do the same if you have an avalanche airbag.
• Climbing skins should be dry and attached together with the plastic mesh sheets they came with. Check for wear and tear as well as well as needles or dirt in the glue.
• Store your safety equipment indoors away from fluctuating temperatures.

Take these steps if you care about your gear lasting and performing well year after year. When next season starts you will be ready to hit the mountain.

Have a great summer, stay in shape, and look forward to next season.