Get Your Ski’s out of the Garage Post 2

The Boots

Would you keep your Gucci’s out in the garage? Storing your boots the right way and in the right place will help keep them looking, fitting and smelling like new. Look at it this way: Your boots probably cost a few bucks more than your best dress shoes.

Basically made up of a composite of molded plastic and other hi-tech materials, ski boots develop a memory of the shape of your foot and lower leg. When left un-buckled and in hot conditions, they can lose their form and change their character. Even worse, any moisture left over from your last day on the slopes can turn into mold, which typically isn’t a good selling point at the pre-season ski swap.

First remove any grit, grime or gristle from the boot’s exterior. Then make sure there isn’t any moisture lurking inside. If you can, pull the liners out of the shell and check for dampness or mold. Leave them that way for a couple of days to make sure they are completely dried out. Croke suggests simply turning them upside down – this would allow any remaining moisture to find its way out. The bottom line on boot storage is: Moisture is bad; dryness is good!

The bindings

Other than having the bindings tested by a certified shop technician before the start of the season, all you need to do is wipe them down with a damp rag and then keep them dry and free of dust.

The Extreme Ski Care Ideal

Your ski gear is an investment in fun and should be treated as such. Ski Instructors, who make a living using their equipment, know the value of taking care of their gear and often go to extreme measures. “Sometimes I take my skis to bed with me at night, just to let them know how important they are to me,” says Shams Deitrick, a Lake Tahoe Ski Instructor, “and my boots sit right in the closet with my dress shoes and Speedo swimsuits,” he added.

It’s never too late to take a few minutes for preventative maintenance. You change the oil in the car to help prevent the engine from blowing up on the way to Disneyland, so make sure your skis don’t cause a breakdown on your next trip. A few minutes of proper planning will keep you cruising down the hill instead of standing in line at the ski repair shop.