Tips for Storing Your Ski Gear Properly
As ski season ends each April, or May for the die-hard spring skiers in the East and Rocky Mountain late season ski resort fans, along comes the chore of putting your ski stuff away.
Don’t just throw your ski bag in a closet, skis in the garage – then break out your bike, golf clubs and boating gear. Show your ski gear the proper love and care so everything is sharp and ready for your next ski season. You don’t want to find mold on your ski jacket, mice in your ski boots, and rust on your ski edges on that first snow day next winter.
Tips for proper storage of your ski and snowboard gear
Ski & Snowboard Storage
Make sure your skis or snowboard are completely dry, especially the metal edges to prevent corrosion. Put a coat of wax on the bases yourself if you are handy. Or take them to your ski tuner if they need a sharpen and wax and any p-tex repair. Ask the ski tech to leave some wax extra wax on the bases as extra protection. On your first ski day, you simply scrape of the extra wax to find a perfect tune underneath – no dust, no rust. Keep your skis, boards and poles in a dry place in your garage or basement.
Bindings
We don’t believe today’s modern bindings need to be summer released…some aficionados swear by releasing your binding springs for summer – but we find it just means an extra stop at the ski shop next season when you are ready to hit the slopes.
Ski Boots
Ski boots or snowboard boots should be completely clean of spring mud, and dry! Put them on a boot dryer or insert Seirus boot toaster hot sticks ($19 – best ski investment in our opinion) overnight to assure the liners and shell don’t have any trapped moisture. If you have stinky feet and smelly ski boots, spray the interior with odor eaters or your favorite foot spray to fight bacteria and odor over the snowless months. I suggest a sheet of Bounce fabric softener inside the boots to keep the freshness going. Buckle your boots, not super tight, but be sure they are snug, and store them in a clean dry ski bag (we love Kulkea boot bags) in a moisture free storage area.
Ski Clothing
Make sure all your ski clothing and accessories are clean and dry before folding into your ski bag for the summer or hanging in a closet. If anything needs washing – do it now so it is fresh and ready to go come first snow. Spot treat ski clothing for localized stains, salt from brushing against your car, or hot cocoa spill, this often better than dry cleaning or washing technical fabrics, as they may lose their wicking and water repellency. Store your goggles in their sleeve inside your helmet or hat. Be sure gloves and mittens are dry all the way through before packing away. Toss a few more dryer sheets (Bounce) in your ski bag and boots to repel rodents from snuggling in during the off-season. Moth balls were your grandmother’s attic technique – but dryer sheets are simpler, and smell much better. For tips on how to pack your ski bag for your next ski trip, see our ski packing guide.
Stay in Shape
Now enjoy boating, golfing, biking. Bike riding and waterskiing are both excellent sports to keep your quads and glutes strong between ski seasons. Stand Up Paddle Boarding also improves core strength and balance – both are key for ski fitness, and a fun way to spend the snowless months. Or consider a summer ski trip to the southern hemisphere – Portillo Chile in South America – to squeeze more winter steez in your summer!
Simple “ski gear care” steps help to protect your prized possession until you are reunited for your first run in October or November at the best Eastern ski resorts for early skiing and Best Ski resorts for early season skiing out west.
We hope these ski storage and ski packing tips and our how to plan a ski vacation guide will help you get to the slopes more often in top shape! See our latest ski reviews of the Top Skis if you are considering buying new gear for next year.
