Our resident ski technician and adrenaline junkie Scott gives his top tips on how to look after your skis over summer and beyond.
As snow starts to melt and the season winds down, it’s time to start thinking about what to do with your skis for the off season. In this short blog, I want to underline the importance of how your store your skis or board, so that after summer, they're ready to go next season.
If you only do one thing to protect and prolong the life of your skis over the off season, make it a storage wax. At Blues, we offer a FREE summer storage wax as part of your service. This is something we've always done at no extra cost as part of our ski servicing options. When you bring your skis in for a service, we ask that you request a summer storage wax so that we know you are done using your skis for the season.
So what is a summer storage wax? Basically, we hot wax your skis with a soft wax and leave all the excess wax on the base of the ski instead of scraping it off. This seals in moisture and prevents the base from drying out which can in turn cause them to warp over the summer. Before using your skis for the first time next season the excess storage wax must be scraped off. This can be done at home relatively easily with a Perspex scraper. If you need a hand though, pop in to your local Blues outlet and our staff can help.
Does it really make a difference? Yes! If the base of your ski is not flat it will not glide properly. On top of that, skis that are concave or convex across their width cannot be serviced to the same extent as a well maintained flat ski. If you want get the best performance and lifespan from your planks, keeping them flat is critical. The bottom line for summer storage… Look after your skis and they will look after you!
Here's a few other tips for storing your skis during the warmer weather:
- Store your skis in your house. Don't put them in your garage or your shed. Storing skis in a cool, dry and temperature-regulated environment prevents the edges from rusting and the bases from warping (becoming convex or concave). The back of your wardrobe, a closet or under your bed are the best places to keep your skis during the off season.
- Take any straps off. The straps people use to tie skis together for easy carrying can compress the camber of your skis. This is fine for a couple days or weeks, but if you are storing skis for a long period its best to take them off so you do not deform the intended shape of your skis over time.
- Get them serviced at the end of the season - it's the best time. At this time of year, when you are not in a rush get back on the slopes, we can take our time and give you the best service possible. We can also storage wax them for you at no extra cost. That way when the snow starts to fall next winter, just scrape the excess wax off and you’re ready to ride. In addition, if we discover any serious problems, we have all summer to sort them out for you so you won’t miss a single day next season.
Got any questions? Ask us over on the Blues Facebook page and we'll get back to you!
