During the Spring in any mountain town, there tends to be a slow down. With the ski season coming to a halt, it becomes a challenge to know what to do in your spare time. Waiting for the snow to melt to start hiking and biking feels like a bit of torture, but it will be here before you know it.
Many people will hang up their winter gear and relax for a bit to prepare for the summer season. Mountain towns often resemble a bit of a ghost town during this time of the year. After spending years in the mountains though, I’ve learned the importance of taking care of my winter gear before summer comes in full force.
I know many people do not want to deal with their skis or boards once the season is over. But neglecting your expensive equipment and leaving them to dry out over the summer is not the best idea for your winter toys in the long run. Often, people simply toss their skis and boards into the garage or closet, or where ever they can fit it to not be seen until the next snow fall. After years and years of my dad engraining in my head that taking care of your skis at the end of the season is just as important as during, I have learned the ideal way to improve the longevity of my ski’s life.
I know it’s tough to think about taking care of your ski’s this time of the year, but I promise, in the long run it’ll be worth it. Leaving your skis and boards with no love or care will surely cause them to dry out and cause damage if neglected. Thankfully, it’s an easy fix to avoid this problem. One of the most important things you can do is to get them waxed at the end of the season, and do not scrape them. Leaving the wax on will provide a protective layer and will help your toys to not dry out. Dried out bases can crack and may also cause them to lose their ability to absorb wax in the future. Just be sure to clean the base before waxing. You do not want to seal in the dirt and grime from a season on the slopes.
Another thing to do for a little extra TLC is to address any core shots and get them fixed now. This way when the new season arrives, you will not have to wait around to get a tune, they will be ready to go already. Finally, it never hurts to apply a light coating of oil on the edges, just to avoid rust.
After just a little bit of care for your toys, they will be in tip top shape come next winter season. You will just have to scrape off that wax and you’ll be ready to go. A little work now will save you time next season and will increase the life of your equipment, which is always a plus.
