To preserve your skis for as long as possible, find out how to maintain and protect them at the end of the season before putting them away.
After riding the slopes (or off them) this winter, it's time to store your skis for next year's snow.
But before that, good end-of-season maintenance is important to take care of them. On vous livre nos astuces !
There are three essentials for maintaining your downhill skis at the end of the season: cleaning, sharpening and waxing. You can do these steps yourself or have them done by professionals. If you choose the first option, we'll let you read on. Otherwise, don't hesitate to make an appointment in the workshop of a DECATHLON shop to bring your skis (or snowboard) to our technicians.
Before you start, take the time to dry your skis thoroughly. Please note that we are not telling you to leave them in the sun, as this could dry out and damage the soles and topsheets (the top of your skis). Use the old-fashioned method of wiping the entire surface of your skis with a soft, dry cloth: edges, soles and bingings.
Once dry, clean the wax from the base of the ski with a wax remover.. If you have cross-country skis, be careful to put it only on the grip area and not on the whole surface of the sole. Then dry the clean sole with a cloth.
Sharp edges allow you to control your trajectory and turns when skiing. It is therefore an important parameter that impacts the gliding properties of your skis (or snowboard). Sharpening consists of sharpening the metal edges of the skis, called edges, to give them more grip. For this you need an edge sharpener, an edge eraser and a clean cloth. Let's go!
► Clean the base of your first ski with the cloth and secure it on its edge for comfortable handling. The most practical thing to do is to use a waxing table and a waxing vice to be comfortable.
► Adjust the angle of the sharpener (from 90° to 85°) and sharpen the side of the edge (the part towards the edge of the ski) using regular movements and without pressing too hard.
► Do the same with the part of the edge under the ski.
► Using the eraser, remove the burrs (the threads that have formed during sharpening) by running it along the length of the ski.
► Change the slice and start again with the second edge, then move to the other ski.
The minimum is to sharpen your ski and snowboard edges at the beginning and end of the season. But if you notice that they have become dull during the season, i.e. that they have lost their grip, don't hesitate to sharpen them (or have them sharpened) again to enjoy your outings to the full.
To protect the soles from rusting during these long months of storage and to prolong their life, it is strongly recommended to perform an end-of-season waxing. You will need a universal wax block, a waxing iron, a waxing table (or workbench), a waxing vice and a nylon brush. You can also buy a ready-made waxing kit.
When waxing your skis, we advise you to put yourself in a well-ventilated place to avoid being bothered by the toxic fumes released by the wax. Let’s go!
► Secure your first ski on the table with the vice, with the sole facing up.
► Use the nylon brush to brush the base from the front of the ski (tip) to the back (tail).
► Melt the wax with the heating iron set to the correct temperature (see wax packaging) and apply wax to the entire base.
► Distribute the wax drops with the iron, starting from the front and going towards the back of the ski (in the sliding direction). Your movements should be slow enough to spread the wax layer evenly. Never place the iron on a part of the soleplate, as this could damage it.
► Leave the excess wax layer on the sole, without scraping it off, so that it can protect the sole from moisture and dirt until the next winter.
► Repeat the same steps with the other ski.
As with rental ski racks, we recommend that you store your skis vertically to preserve their natural camber. And it's even better to put them in a protective cover to prevent them from collecting dust.
Do not neglect the storage of your skis: store in a dry place away from sunlight. Ski materials are sensitive to temperature variations and particularly to heat. Humidity should also be avoided absolutely to protect them and prevent the appearance of rust on the edges. Forget the cellar and the garage, it is better to store your skis in a cupboard inside your home.
Rust is caused by water and humidity, so remember to wipe your skis and especially your edges with a clean, dry cloth after a day on the slopes. Rust can also occur during wintering (the storage period), hence the need to wax at the end of the season and leave the extra layer of wax on the skis.
The bindings of your skis also need special attention before they are stored between seasons. Raise the heel of the bindings, like when you put your ski boots on. Then, using a flathead screwdriver, loosen your bindings a little so that the spring is under as little pressure as possible. If you are afraid of forgetting the setting and putting it back on at the beginning of the next season, write it down somewhere to make it easier to pick up.
For your snowboard, it is best to store the bindings and board separately. Unscrew the bindings, carefully remove the screws and clean the top of the board. Then gather the bindings together by closing the straps to make it easier to move the board and save space in the cupboards.
The maintenance of cross-country skis before summer storage is practically the same as for downhill skis. With one exception: during the cleaning stage, be careful not to apply any wax remover to the entire sole, but only to the adhesion area.
Special care is needed to keep your ski boots in good condition for as long as possible. Find out how to maintain and store them!
Once you have carried out this complete end-of-season maintenance on your skis, you can store them in the best possible condition until the next season, without fear of an unpleasant surprise.
A pair of skis or snowboard that have been properly prepared at the end of the season will ensure the next one gets off to a good start !
Dancer, hiker and former judoka, I’m a big Fit’Ballet enthusiast, an activity that combines fitness and classic dance. I love giving you my tips to help you with your sporting activities!
