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| How to Keep Your Gear in Top Shape Proper preparation and storage can keep winter sports equipment performing at optimal levels and extend its life. Here are some tips that will help skiers and snowboarders keep their equipment in shape: Jump to:Skis and Snowboards Skis, snowboards, and fingernails have this in common: If you file the rough spots and regularly apply a coat of "polish," they'll perform a lot better. If you want your skis to turn three years from now like they do today, you need to keep the bases lubricated and the edges tuned and detuned properly. A ski shop should do major tuning and waxing, but skiers and boarders can do a lot of the basic upkeep themselves. At the very least, coat your equipment bases regularly for protection and performance, say ski and snowboard manufacturers. Applying the coating is a lot easier than it used to be. Inexpensive coatings can be wiped or sprayed onto bases in just a couple of minutes. At the end of every season, it's important to coat the bases with a thick blanket of wax, then store skis base to base but with newspaper or a sheet between the bases so they aren't touching. Also, don't store skis or snowboards in a waterproof container because condensation can cause damage. Wrap your skis in a sheet, which wards off dust but absorbs moisture. When winter comes, scrape off the excess wax and you're ready to ski. Snowboards also need edge and base care during the season. A general guideline is a thorough hot wax about every five riding days, with rub-on wax in between hot waxes. Immediately fill in gouges caused by rocks, snowboard technicians urge, not only for performance, but also to keep the board from delaminating. If a rock digs in too deeply, water can seep into the board's core and ruin it. Have your shop give your board a thorough tuning before putting it away for the season. Zip it into a snowboard bag to protect it from dust and moisture, or wrap it in a sheet. Many companies make home storage racks that keep your equipment protected and out of the way. Bindings It's important to have a ski shop check your boot/binding/ski system at the beginning of each season to be sure everything is working properly. Snowboard bindings also are fairly maintenance-free. Though most manufacturers use stainless-steel hardware to attach bindings to the board, it's a good idea to always dry off your board and bindings after you ride as an extra preventative against rust. Boarders should carry a #3 Phillips screwdriver to tighten any loose mounting screws. Any other size may strip the screws. Technicians advise boarders to put down the bindings' high backs and secure straps when transporting boards on a roof rack to prevent the bindings from loosening. Boots Boots must dry out between uses. If overnight air drying doesn't do the trick, a boot dryer can. Some boot dryers fit in a boot-bag pocket; others are perfect for the mud room of a vacation home. Leather snowboard boots need a touch of special care. Before leather boots are used for the first time, rub in a waterproofing or water-repelling compound. Nikwax or similar rub-in repellents should be used once or twice a season to restore waterproofing. It's also important to dry out boots overnight. Some boots have liners that can be removed, which helps the liner and shell dry faster. For boots with non-removable liners, stuff a ball of newspaper into the toe to help absorb moisture. In the off-season, ski boots should be stored buckled to retain their shape, while snowboard boots should be stored in a slightly damp environment out of the sunlight, so they don't fade or dry out. Clothing Most skiers and snowboarders will give up their clothing for fashion reasons long before it wears out. But if you've spent a few hundred dollars for a new outfit, you probably want to be sure it lasts until you grow tired of it. The most important thing to remember with clothing care is to read the care instruction label and follow the recommendations. Don't dry clean when it says to machine wash, and don't tumble dry with heat if it says to line dry. Don't iron clothing with a outer weather coating such as Gore-Tex or Columbia's Omni-Tech, or you'll melt the garment. If your clothes are wrinkled, hang them in the bathroom while you take a shower, or put them in a cool dryer. Dirt can quickly damage a zipper, so keep zippers clean. Most coated nylon clothing will repel stains. But, if not, try water first, then a mild soap and water, then a stain remover. Some manufacturers recommend against using the brush head that comes with many commercial stain removers. Instead, work the remover in gently by hand. Stain removal list Skiwear manufacturer Roffe offers the following recommendations for common stains: Alcoholic beverages: Soak fresh stains in cold water and a few tablespoons of glycerin (available at drug stores), then rinse with white vinegar and water.Repair the tear If you rip your ski or snowboard outerwear, there's a Montana-based company called Rainy Pass Repair that can mend it. The company is authorized to repair Gore-Tex, and they have a huge inventoryof fabrics, threads, snaps, zippers, and buckles to mend everything thing fromskiwear to sleeping bags. They also can do alterations. Call the company's repair facility in Seattle(888-RIP-STOP) to discuss your damage or alteration. |
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