Ski seasons over, so now what?
You may be sad that the ski season has come to an end but it’s time to show the gear you love some TLC. Don’t just leave it in the pile where you tossed it after your last adventure. It deserves better than that. Really!
Wash, Repair, Replace
Even though your ski jacket, pants, mid layers, gloves and toque look fine to you they probably smell and look like shit. It’s time for that end of season wash—wether you think they need it or not. If it can be washed, then wash it. After that get out the Grangers and re-apply that DWR (Durable Water Repellent) so everything is waterproof once more. If something needs repairing, now’s the time to do so. If it’s truly the end of the line, then put it out of its misery and consider an upgrade.
Wax On / Wax Off
Like Mr. Kesuke Miyagi said “wax on, wax off, then wax again”. Ok, maybe he didn’t add in the last wax on, but you should. Re-hydrate you ski bases with a good tune, wax, scrape and brush,…then wax them again. Leaving a thick coat of wax on your skis over the summer months protects the edges and bases from oxidization and excessive drying. If you don’t have the skills to do some home tuning, google it. It ain’t that hard.
Boot Love
Store your boots in a clean dry place, out of direct sunlight as UV rays are bad for a boot’s life span. Wipe them down, tighten all the screws give them a quick lube on any moving parts. Consider washing your liners and if they disagree then perhaps it’s time for new ones?
Box Be Gone
One of the simplest things you can do close out the ski season is to remove your ski box from your vehicle. I know you want everyone at the beach to know you’re a skier but you’re hurting your vehicles fuel economy more than you think. Remove it, clean it and store it. It needs a rest after a long hard season of dirt and grime, no sense in coating it with bugs all summer. Store it out of the summer sun and lengthen its life span.
If you are too lazy to do any of these things then at least you know exactly where to find your ski gear in the fall. It’ll be right in the same smelly, mould infested pile of filth, right where you left it.