Summer’s almost here and it’s time to pack away the skis! But before you just shove them in the basement and forget about them until next winter, listen up! I’m going to show you how to give your gear a good cleaning and store it properly so it’s ready to hit the slopes when the snow falls again.
1. Clean & Polish Ski Bases
You wouldn’t believe the amount of dirt that gets on your skis throughout the season. Snow, especially spring slush, can be surprisingly dirty. And let’s not forget the road dirt they pick up when strapped to the car. All that nasty stuff sticks to the ski bases and can actually damage them over time. So, here’s the deal: To keep your skis happy and healthy, I always give them a good wipe down with a clean rag after each ski day. But especially before I store them for the summer, I make sure those bases are squeaky clean. Even road gunk from your car rack can build up, so a good cleaning is essential!
Let’s take a look at the edges. You might find some unwelcome rust patches like I did. Even worse, those late-season rock gardens can leave some nasty burrs on your edges. Let’s get those polished out before tucking the skis away for the warm months!
To polish the edges and make them nice and smooth. You can find a tool at most sporting goods stores called a polishing stone. It’s not fancy, just a little block that feels kind of rough.
Gently rub the polishing stone along all four edges of your skis, just like you’re sharpening a pencil. Do this a few times on each edge, making sure you reach all the way from the tip to the tail.
If your edges just have nicks and scratches, but no rust, leave them be! Polishing them down now might actually make them a little dull for next season. Let’s keep those edges nice and sharp for carving through fresh powder!
That’s it! Your ski edges are polished and ready to shred the slopes next season!
2. Wax for Protection
The next step is to give them a protective coat like putting on sunscreen. The secret weapon? Wax! (Think of it like giving your skis a layer of lotion to keep them happy and healthy over the summer). This wax forms a shield that protects the edges from rust and keeps the whole ski happy and healthy over the summer.
Don’t worry about picking out a fancy type of wax, any kind will do (except that stuff called fluorocarbon wax, it’s not nice to the environment). The more wax you put on, the better! A thicker layer is like a thicker blanket, keeping your skis nice and hydrated all summer long.
And the best part? You don’t even have to take the wax off before next season. Just leave it on, and it will keep protecting your skis. When winter rolls around again, all you need to do is wipe it off and your skis will be ready to shred!
3. Dry and Store
Almost done! Now it’s time to find your skis a comfy summer spot. Ideally, this will be a place that’s cool and dry, kind of like a cozy basement but without crazy temperature swings. Big swings in temperature can make water droplets appear on your skis, and that’s not good (it can lead to rust).
Here are a few other storage tips:
Don’t wrestle your skis together: Keep the brakes unclasped so there’s no pressure on the bindings. Think of it like letting your skis relax after a long season!
Standing or lying? Up to you! As long as the skis aren’t resting directly on the shiny coating, you can store them upright or flat.
Ski bag bonus: Throwing on a dry ski bag is a great way to keep dust and dirt away from your skis all summer long.
If all this prep feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry! Most ski shops offer a service where they’ll take care of everything for you. Just pop your skis in at the start of next season and they’ll be ready to hit the slopes in no time.
4. How to store ski boots
Before tucking ski boots away for summer, clean and dry them thoroughly. Take out the inner liners – think of them like the cozy socks of your ski boots. Let them air out for a few days to dry completely. You can even use a boot heater if you’re impatient (we’ve all been there!).
Here’s the tricky part: when putting the liners back in, try not to wrinkle them up. Wrinkles can feel like tiny bumps when you wear your boots next season, not comfy! Take your time and smooth them out as best you can.
To chase away any stinky smells, you can use some shoe deodorant or a disinfectant spray. Think of it like giving your boots a breath mint!
Should you store ski boots buckled?
Before storing Ski boots, buckle them up loosely. This helps them keep their shape over the summer. Don’t crank them down super hard. We just want them to hold their shape over summer, not turn into tiny spaceships.
Find a cool, dark spot to store them – like a comfy corner in your closet. Too much sunlight can actually make the boot material weaker.
Here’s a cool trick: stuff the insides of the boots with newspaper! It will soak up any leftover moisture and help prevent mold from growing (think of it like a moisture magnet!). Just remember to swap out the newspaper every now and then.
There you have it! Happy, healthy ski boots ready to hit the slopes with you next season!
5. Properly Wash Ski Clothes
Ski clothes don’t need a bath after every run! Here’s the deal: functional clothing, like your ski suit, works best when it’s clean, but not too clean. If your suit isn’t super dirty, just hang it up in a well-ventilated spot and let it air out for a few days. Fresh air is all it needs!
Need a wash? Go gentle! If your ski clothes do need a wash, use the delicate cycle on your washing machine with cold water (around 30°C or 86°F). Skip the fabric softener too – it can clog up the special pores in the fabric and make your clothes work less well.
Not sure? Go pro! If you’re worried about washing your ski clothes yourself, you can always take them to a professional cleaner. They’ll know exactly how to handle them.
Drying time! Once your ski clothes are clean, let them air dry completely. You can also try using a dryer on a low heat setting, but be careful! For down jackets, toss in a dryer ball to help keep the feathers nice and fluffy.
There you have it! Clean and happy ski clothes, ready to hit the slopes with you next season!
Optional:
Give your ski clothes a little raincoat (optional)! Once your ski clothes are clean and dry, you can also add a waterproofing spray to make them extra water-resistant. Think of it like giving your clothes a tiny raincoat! Here’s the thing:
Do it outside! These sprays can have a strong smell, so head outdoors to apply it.
Focus on the outside! Only spray the outside of your clothes. This keeps the sweat-wicking abilities working their magic on the inside.
Iron on low (optional)! Gently ironing your clothes on a low heat setting after spraying can help set the waterproofing in place.
Air it out again! Once you’re done, let your clothes air out completely before storing them away.
Don’t forget the gloves! Just like your ski clothes, gloves can be cleaned, disinfected (to fight stink!), waterproofed, and dried.