Ski and Snowboard Care Guide

Neglect can cause sever damage and shorten the lifespan of your skis or snowboard. Basic care and maintenance for your skis or snowboard is a simple way to increase their useful life. Their performance on the slopes is directly related to their care and maintenance. Here's how to be cool to your tool.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

1) Dry the base and edges of your skis or board after a day on the slopes by wiping them down with a soft, clean rag. Melted snow and grime will leave your edges pitted and rusted if not removed before they are hung up for the day.

2) Ski bindings should be kept clean, and properly adjusted. They should be tested and adjusted at the start of each season or every 15-20 days on the slopes (which ever comes first), anytime there is a weight change of 10 pounds or more, when there is a significant change in skiing ability or when a different boot is being used.

3) The screws and ratchets on snowboard bindings should be examined and tightened before every day on the slopes. It's a good idea to carry a simple snowboard tool for on-slope adjustments and repairs. There are a variety of affordable tools available that fit easily into a jacket pocket and have numerous uses for a snowboarder.

4) A soft stone is a small sanding stone that is used to smooth down edges. On the slopes one is handy for de-tuning an edge that is catching or taking care of a burr. Small, on-slope adjustments can keep you on the hill instead of in the shop.

5) Vehicle racks will expose your gear to salt and road grime. This will damage the bases and bindings of both skis and boards. Whenever possible, transport your skis or board in a bag, or use a binding cover. For the best protection, Thule offers fully enclosed vehicle rooftop boxes that will fit bags and other items in addition to skis and snowboards.