Besides skiing or riding down Mammoth Mountain, ski and snowboard gear is kind of our thing at ASO Mammoth. We love talking shop, trying out the latest gear, and maintaining the boards and skies that people are currently riding.
As a result, we know a thing or two about keeping skis and snowboards in top shape so they’re ready at a moment’s notice to take advantage of a storm or keep their owners happy all season long. To help you keep your gear in the best condition possible, we’ve gone ahead and put together a few tips to help maintain it off the slopes. Check it out below!
How to Store Your Gear
There are several simple steps to take when storing your ski and snowboard gear to make sure it will last for seasons. The first is to give your gear a wipe down after use to make sure there is no dirt, salt, or water left. While dirt and salt can eat away at the wax you need to slide on snow, water can rust your edges and work its way down to the core of your gear and cause structural damage.
Water becomes and even bigger problem is you leave your gear outside overnight and expose it to freezing temperatures while wet. Water expands when it freezes, which means you could be looking at worsening or new faults in your gear, so always wipe down and bring your gear in after use. Once you have your gear inside, you’ll want to store it in a warm, dry place where there is a soft surface to rest it on. Storing your gear on a soft surface, as well as supporting it so all the weight is not on one spot if you hang it, will preserve the finish.
While skis and snowboards are the focus here, you should also pay close attention to your boots to extend their lifetime. Removing liners to dry, loosely buckling to help the boot keep its shape, and checking the laces for wear are all easy steps to do so.
How to Check Your Gear
Once your gear is properly cleaned and stored, you can assess it for any damage that needs to be repaired or maintenance that needs to be done. The most common maintenance need is going to be a wax. While how frequent you need to wax your skis or board depends on how often you ride, you can bet on waxing your gear at least at the beginning of every season or before a trip.
Next, you have to give your gear an honest assessment based on your ability to maintain it. While some maintenance like a wax can be handled at home, if you don’t know what you’re doing then you’ll end up wasting time and money. You also must keep in mind that no matter how well you keep your gear, there is no way to avoid regular wear and tear from riding. For example, simple UV rays can break down the plastic that makes up several key components of ski and snowboard gear.
If you have any questions about the how to maintain your gear, what repairs it needs, or if it’s time to buy something new then don’t hesitate to take it in to your local ski shop. We can say from experience that the technicians there will be happy to answer any questions you may have. If your gear is in need of major repairs or you need some extra time to ask questions, we recommend taking your gear in during the offseason when demand is down to make sure you get everything you need. When you buy ski and snowboard gear, you’re making an investment for years to come. Follow these steps to protect it and stop by ASO Mammoth for any and all questions you still have!