How to care for your ski equipment this summer

May 22, 5:14 PMDenver Skiing ExaminerNicole Wolf

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Summer in the Rocky Mountains

Your skis worked hard for you all winter - they deserve a little TLC.

Here are a few tips on showing the love to your ski gear.

Skis:
At the very least, thoroughly wipe down skis (bases and edges) with a dry towel to prevent summer rust. I also strongly recommend applying a coat of wax to your bases so they aren’t deprived of moisture while they hibernate in your garage all summer.

However, if your skis were good to you this season and you’d like a repeat next year, I would suggest the following:
1 – Stone edges to remove burrs and rust that may have accumulated over the season. Sharpen with file so they are razor smooth and ready to rip next winter.
2 – Scrape any remaining wax from your bases, then clean with a base cleaner or citrus solvent (available at many ski/snowboard, bike, and automotive shops, or online)
3 – Apply a liberal coat of wax to bases using a hot iron (preferably not your mom/girlfriend’s clothing iron; waxing-specific ski/snowboard irons actually exist! Check it out). Lightly run iron over side edges to coat with wax to protect against rusting. No need to scrape skis; simply let the bases soak for the summer.
4 – Strap skis together and store.

Boots:
Infinitely easier than caring for skis, but undoubtedly more important. (It’s possible to salvage rusty, dry skis, but there is no salvage for moldy, rotting boots.)

1 - Remove boot liners from shells.

Yep - that’s it.

This allows boots to properly dry and prevents unwanted fungus or festering rats. If you think I’m exaggerating about the rats, beware: A cousin of mine stored his lined boots in a corner of his otherwise immaculate garage one summer. The next fall he found a nest of rats living in one of the boots. True story.

Besides your skis and boots, ensure all other equipment is clean and dry (especially gloves, jacket, and pants) unless you want a mildewed mess next fall.

If you follow these instructions your ski equipment will wake from hibernation refreshed and invigorated, and the only thing to prepare will be yourself.

You may be rusty, but your skis will be ready for action.