Ski and Snowboard Maintenance Tips and Tricks

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Your guide to preparing your ski or snowboard equipment for this Winter.

Published: Oct. 2, 2022

Content

1 How to prepare your skis or snowboard, step by step

2 Check the bindings

3 Check that your boots are in good condition

4 Wash your ski clothes before going to the resort

5 Inspect the ski helmet …

As the European ski resorts are beginning to announce their opening dates, it's time to start planning your next ski holiday! We can't wait to hit the slopes!!! What about you? But, in the meantime, we have other things we can keep ourselves occupied with. How is your ski gear doing?

Keep your Winter Wanderlust alive by getting your ski and snowboard gear out of your garage or storage room! Today we've come with a guide to help you prepare your ski or snow equipment.

That's right! If you're already planning your next ski holiday with Esquiades.com, there's more to booking a ski package deal than deciding which ski resort to visit and hotel to stay in. You also need to think about getting your equipment winter ready! Now that the countdown for the winter season has started, it's time to make sure everything is ready to glide down the slopes safely. So, not only do you need to get "ski fit"—which is key to prevent falls and injuries—, you also need to make sure that your equipment is in good condition with the following tips.

How to prepare your skis or snowboard, step by step

❄ The first thing you have to do is remove the remains of protective wax, as well as the dirt and dust that may have accumulated during the summer and autumn. Use a brass brush to do this, and then wipe with kitchen paper or a damp cloth. If you see that your skis or the board are very dirty, use your garden hose. After doing this, dry the skis/snowboard, so you can continue with the next steps.

❄ Inspect the edges and remove any burrs, traces of rust and other imperfections, using an abrasive stone to do so, especially on the edges. What's next?

❄ Sharpen your skis or your board. To file your skis or snowboard, you can use a common file or a file with adapters. Opt for long strokes, exerting light pressure, until you get a touch that scratches, but does not cut. Do you prefer an even more pro result? It uses a work table and an angle, which allows you to regain the inclination of the skis when leaving the factory (89 degrees). For an ideal result, you can help yourself by marking the edge with a marker. You can also use straps, which will facilitate your work. Anyway, if you do not have practice or do not have the necessary tools, do not hesitate to go to any specialized store, so as not to damage your skis or your board.

❄ Wax your skis or snowboard. Heat the iron and, when it reaches the right temperature, bring a block of wax so that it drips all over the sole. Run the iron across the ski or board and distribute the wax evenly (try not to stop, as this will cause it to build up excessively at one point). Also, avoid that the iron is in contact with the sole for too long, since it could damage it. Then let the wax absorb for a full day (although sometimes an hour is enough). After that time, use a plastic scraper to remove the excess wax, following the direction of travel of the ski or board. Choose a thick scraper first, and then a thinner one.

❄ Finally, polish the surface of the ski or board, using a nylon brush.

Check the bindings

Another aspect that must be taken into account when preparing your ski equipment is to inspect the bindings. Start by checking each binding for possible wear and tear and wipe up any dirt from last season with a damp cloth. It's essential to make sure bindings are in good conditions to prevent injuries.

To prevent this from happening, most binding manufacturers recommend taking your skis, snowboard, and boots—we'll talk about them now—to a ski shop once a year to have the bindings tested and adjusted to the specifications. Standards set by the German Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung, DIN). Yes, we know it sounds a bit weird, but ski specialists have this under control.

Check that your boots are in good condition

Time to put on your boots! Literally, because you'll need to inspect them before packing them into your next ski holiday. Carefully inspect the footwear and check that the heel and toe are not excessively worn, as this can affect the way the boot interacts with the binding. Remove the liner and verify that it is in good condition.

Try on the boot and make sure that the pressure is adequate. If you're not sure, head to a specialized shop so they can help you solve any problem, so that your footwear does not ruin your return to the ski slopes.

Do you have in mind to go skiing with children? In that case, it is necessary for the little ones to put on their boots, because they will surely have grown in recent months and will need a larger size.

Wash your ski clothes before going to the resort

Although it may seem strange, we assure you that dirt on trousers and ski jacket can impact the performance of the fabric, as it clogs its pores. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep clothes clean.

Let's see how: first check your pockets, you'll probably find last year's lip balm, an energy bar or loose change from having lunch on the slopes.

Check the labels with the washing instructions and follow them word for word. Some clothes can be delicate … However, most manufacturers recommend machine washing clothes in cold water. Use a mild detergent like or one that is specifically formulated for outerwear. After washing your clothes, you can treat them with a liquid or spray waterproofing formula. Don't forget the gloves!

If you are going to go skiing with your children, make sure the kids try on all the clothes and accessories, to make sure that they are not too small. Do you have to go shopping? So, here are some (good) tips for buying your snowboard or ski clothes.

Inspect the ski helmet …

Although the useful life of a ski helmet usually should last around three years, it is likely that it will need to be replaced sooner. To assess it, take yours and verify that it does not have any bumps or dents, that it has not started to deform or that the equipment that forms its interior structure does not appear.

If you see any damage, you will have to buy another helmet. To choose the most suitable one, check that it complies with all the safety measures for practising mountain sports, that it is adapted to the dimensions of the skull and that it has ventilation holes. Also, if your helmet has other accessories—such as a camera, a torch or a screen—make sure that everything works correctly.

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