Okay, we’re a far cry from winter. And we realize that most people are more focused on their tan lines, barbecue grills, and summer vacation plans right now than what we’re about to talk about, but we also realize that for a few of you, the spring and summer months represent the absolute best time to take advantage of cheaply discounted skis and snowboards. So for you ski bums and boarders shopping the sales, or for those of you whose spring and summer months just represent the sad closing to the winter sports season, we offer the following tips for storing your new gear…
Take Some Time
The mistake most skiers and boarders make as the winter months come to an end is to haphazardly toss their snowboard into the garage or basement, never to be thought about until the snow starts falling again. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems down the road. Storing your skis and snowboards improperly can lead to a bunch of problems, including a dry base, rusted edges, delamination, and the eventual loss of the board’s camber (the positive bend in the board that gives it an energetic, “poppy” feel). The good news is that it’s very easy to properly store your snowboard at the end of the season, and just a small amount of work will pay big dividends over the life of your snowboard.
Fixing Damage
First, check all top sheets for damage. Storing damaged boards and skis will get worse if they’re left neglected for months. If they’re damaged fill them with two-part epoxy or urethane glue (mixed with a color pigment if desired). Overfill, let harden and dry, then remove excess with a small chisel. Finish with 220 (or greater) grit sandpaper.
Tuning
Next, consider giving your gear a good tune. A thick, almost sloppy coat of wax will seal up the base of the board and prevent it from drying out while sharpening the edges will remove any rust that may have accumulated from all that snow you indulged in over the winter.
Wrapping
After you’ve tuned your skis or snowboard, it’s time to wrap them. Even though your recently tuned edges don’t have any rust on them, garages are notorious for possessing the type of humidity that can rust your gear. Remove the bindings with a Phillips head screwdriver, then either place your board in the plastic zip-up board bag it came in or wrap the entire board in plastic shrink wrap material.
Storage
When it comes to storing your skis and snowboards, make sure you do it in a clean area that’s free from extreme temperatures. Make sure you store your boot liners separately and buckle your boots up tight. Store your board standing up to preserve the camber, but be careful not to put it directly on the hard floor. Also, consider using a section of old rug, a few styrofoam blocks, or some old towels to as a cushion for the tail of the board to prevent the tail from delaminating from undue pressure over a long period of time.