How to Store Your Gear in the Off-Season
Hopefully, you've gotten your fill of winter. And if you haven't, well, there's always next year. But right now, you might be thinking about how you're going to make room on the floor of your gear room for the tents and climbing gear you're probably thinking of busting out.
So, today we're running you through the best practices when it comes to storing your Winter mountain gear!
Skis/Snowboards
For all of your gear, you'll want to choose a dry area with a semi-controlled temperature. This will prevent any warping, rusting, or delamination.
Let's jump into some specifics for skis.
- Inspect your edges: check for rust or damage and consider bringing them in to get a quick polish before boxing them up for the season.
- Clean the base: Scaping off the gunk and accumulated wax from all those runs is a great idea. This will also reveal any damages you might have missed and will want to get repaired before next season.
- Consider a storage wax: Any ski shop (or geartrade) will be happy to slather on a storage wax before you step into spring activities. This will help keep the bases hydrated and protected during their little season-long nap.
- **Ski Specific** Lower the DIN: We highly recommend leaving this to the pros a the ski shops (unless you are a pro at a ski shop or once were). This will help ease tension and preserve the bindings' spring integrity over the few months they'll be sitting. (This step, of course, does not apply to the snowboarders out there.)
- *Snowboard Specific** Dry Off/Remove the Bindings: If the bindings or hardware on your board are wet, it would be wise to remove them until next season or wait until they are totally dry to reinstall them and store the board.
- Ski Storage: Be sure to store your skis with the bases touching and the tip/tail bound with a padded ski strap wrapped around and in between them. Again, ideally have these somewhere a little better regulated than your garage, but use what you have, and take what you can get.
- Snowboard Storage: Placing your board either horizontally on a storage rack or vertically in a closet or against a wall (with nothing leaning against it) will suffice.
Ski Boots
Boots are pretty straightforward. Ensure the liners and footbeds are dry and you're ready to roll. If you'd like, storing them in a zippered boot bag or any area sure to be safe from critters is a great way to deter them from leaving you any...presents over the Spring/Summer...if you know what we mean ;)
The same goes for snowboard boots.
Beacons/ Other Electronics
Take the batteries out of these PLEASE. Battery acid will corrode the device by the time you pick it back up next winter. Plus, it will be a good reminder for you to put in fresh batteries when the time comes to bust it out in the backcountry again!