Quality ski equipment is an investment. Whether you've spent hundreds on a new jacket or thousands building the perfect ski setup, a little care goes a long way toward protecting that investment.

The good news? Most ski gear doesn't require a lot of maintenance. A few simple habits throughout the season and a little attention before storing everything for the summer can extend the life of your skis, boots, apparel, and accessories while helping everything perform its best when winter returns.

Here's how we recommend caring for your ski gear at outdoor DIVAS.

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Ski Maintenance: Protect Your Bases and Edges

Your skis take a beating every season. Rocks, ice, spring slush, parking lots, and even road salt all shorten the life of your bases and edges.

Fortunately, regular tuning keeps them skiing like new.

During the Season

Depending on how often you ski and the snow conditions, plan on regular tunes throughout the winter.

A professional tune typically includes:

• Base repair
• Base grind (when needed)
• Edge sharpening
• Edge deburring
• Fresh hot wax
• Binding inspection

If you notice your skis feeling slow, difficult to hold on hard snow, or rough along the edges, it's probably time for a tune. One easy habit? Run your fingers carefully along the edges after skiing. If they feel rough or have noticeable burrs, they're ready for some attention.

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Should You Wax Your Skis Before Summer?

Absolutely. One of the easiest ways to protect your skis during the off-season is with a storage wax. Unlike a normal hot wax, storage wax is left on the bases instead of being scraped off. That extra layer seals the bases, helping prevent them from drying out or oxidizing during months of storage. Just remember to have the wax scraped before your first ski day next winter.

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Don't Forget Your Bindings

Bindings are one of the most overlooked pieces of ski equipment, but they're also one of the most important for your safety. Manufacturers recommend having your bindings inspected and mechanically tested every season. During an ASTM release test, a certified technician checks that the bindings release within the proper range and that critical components, including the release springs, are functioning correctly. If your bindings are several seasons old or you've taken a hard fall, this inspection becomes even more important.

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Ski Boot Care: The Most Neglected Piece of Equipment

Your ski boots work harder than almost any other piece of equipment you own. Moisture, sweat, dirt, temperature swings, and constant flexing all take a toll over time. Fortunately, a few simple habits can dramatically extend their lifespan.

Always Dry Your Liners

After every ski day, dry your boots on a boot dryer if possible. If not, open the boots so moisture can escape.Never leave wet boots zipped inside your ski bag for several days. Trapped moisture creates odor, encourages bacteria, and can eventually break down liner materials.

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Buckle Your Boots for Storage

One mistake we see every spring is boots being tossed into the garage completely unbuckled. Store your boots with every buckle lightly closed. Not cranked down tight, just snug enough to help the plastic shell maintain its intended shape throughout the off-season. Leaving buckles completely open for months can allow the shell to slowly deform over time.

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Store Boots Somewhere Climate Controlled

Avoid:

• Hot attics
• Damp basements
• Unheated sheds
• Direct sunlight
• Areas where rodents can get inside

Instead, choose a cool, dry indoor location with relatively stable temperatures. If you must store boots in a garage, place them inside a sealed plastic tote to help protect them from moisture and curious critters.

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Check Your Boot Soles

Walk enough parking lots and eventually every boot sole wears down. Most alpine boots use replaceable toe and heel soles. If these become excessively worn, your bindings may no longer release properly. Rental shops may refuse to mount worn boots into rental skis because the boot no longer meets release specifications. Replacing worn boot soles is far less expensive than replacing an entire pair of boots.

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Caring for Heated Boot Batteries

If you ski with heated insoles or heated boot systems like Therm-ic or Hotronic, don't forget about the batteries when the season ends. A little care during the off-season can help maximize their lifespan and performance.

Before You Store Them

We recommend:

• Turn the batteries off completely.
• Disconnect them from the heating elements. Don't leave them plugged into your boots over the summer.
• Allow the batteries to discharge through normal use before storing them, but avoid intentionally running lithium-ion batteries completely flat. Storing them fully charged or completely depleted for months can shorten their lifespan.
• Store the batteries indoors in a cool, dry location away from excessive heat, freezing temperatures, or direct sunlight.

If your batteries will be stored for several months, check the manufacturer's recommendations. Many lithium-ion battery manufacturers suggest checking the charge level periodically and recharging as needed to keep the battery healthy during long-term storage. Like any rechargeable battery, heated boot batteries last longest when they're treated well year-round

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Wash Your Ski Apparel the Right Way

One of the biggest myths in skiing is that washing waterproof apparel ruins it. In reality, dirty outerwear often performs worse than clean outerwear. Body oils, sunscreen, dirt, and sweat gradually clog breathable membranes and reduce waterproof performance.

Wash Technical Outerwear

Once or twice per season is usually enough.

Use:

• Technical wash designed for waterproof fabrics whenever possible
• Powdered detergent if specialty cleaners aren't available
• Cold or warm water according to garment instructions
• Extra rinse cycle if recommended

Avoid:

• Fabric softener
• Bleach
• Dry cleaning

These products can damage waterproof membranes and durable water repellent (DWR) finishes.

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Restore Water Repellency

If water no longer beads on the outside of your jacket or pants, it may be time to restore the DWR finish. Wash-in and spray-on waterproofing treatments can renew water repellency and help your outerwear continue performing season after season.

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Don't Forget Baselayers

Baselayers, neck gaiters, hats, and ski socks deserve regular washing. Merino wool should generally be washed in cold water and laid flat or hung to dry according to the garment's care instructions. Proper care helps maintain odor resistance, softness, and performance.

5 Mistakes That Shorten the Life of Your Ski Gear

Avoid these common mistakes and your equipment will thank you next winter.

• Storing skis without a fresh wax. A storage wax helps protect your bases from drying out during the off-season.
• Leaving ski boots completely unbuckled. Lightly buckle your boots before storing them to help the shell maintain its shape.
• Putting away wet gear. Always dry boots, liners, gloves, and outerwear thoroughly before storing them to help prevent odors, mildew, and material breakdown.
• Leaving heated boot batteries connected all summer. Disconnect batteries from the heating elements and store them separately in a cool, dry place.
• Skipping your annual binding inspection. A preseason ASTM binding test helps ensure your bindings release properly and that worn components are identified before your first day on snow.

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The Bottom Line

Taking care of your ski gear doesn't require hours in the garage or expensive tools. A few simple maintenance habits throughout the season, and a little attention before summer storage, can extend the life of your equipment, improve performance, and help keep you safer on the mountain.

Store your skis with a fresh coat of wax, have your bindings inspected annually, dry and lightly buckle your boots before putting them away, care for your heated boot batteries properly, and wash your technical apparel according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

At outdoor DIVAS, we believe well-maintained gear is more enjoyable to ski, lasts longer, and performs the way it was designed to. Whether you've invested in your first setup or your dream quiver, a little preventative care today means more great days on the mountain for seasons to come.