Ski and Snowboard Care: The Importance of Summer Waxing

Summer is a time for fun and relaxation, but for skiers and snowboarders, it's also the time to start thinking about the upcoming winter season. To make sure your gear is ready to hit the slopes, it's important to take care of it during the summer months.

At Ski Pro, we've been in the ski and snowboard industry for over 40 years, and we know that proper maintenance and care are crucial to getting the most out of your equipment. We're here to offer our expertise in ski and snowboard tuning and maintenance, and to help you understand why summer waxing is an important part of your equipment care routine.

In this article, we'll explore the role of summer waxing and why it's an essential step for any skier or snowboarder looking to protect their gear and maximize their performance on the slopes. 

Summer Storage: Protecting Your Gear from the Heat

Proper storage of your ski and snowboard equipment during the summer months is essential to ensuring it stays in good condition and performs at its best when you hit the slopes again.

Here are some tips for storing your gear:

• Find a cool, dry place: It's essential to store your equipment in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and rust from forming. Look for a spot with low humidity, such as a closet or basement.
• Avoid exposure to intense heat: In the desert southwest, it's critical to never store your equipment in places like garages or attics where it will be exposed to extreme heat. This can cause damage to the base of your skis or snowboard, as well as dry out any wax you may have applied. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 100 degrees will knock years off the lifespan of your gear.
• Keep your equipment off the ground: When storing your skis or snowboard, it's best to keep them off the ground to prevent warping or damage to the edges. You can do this using a ski rack, hanging them on a wall, or using a storage bag. A broad selection of bags and cases can be found here on Skipro.com.

By following these tips, you'll be able to store your gear and protect it from damage during the off-season. However, proper storage is only one part of the equation when it comes to protecting your equipment. In the next section, we'll explore how waxing your skis or snowboard can help keep them in top condition.

How Wax Helps Protect Your Gear During Summer

When you leave your ski or snowboard equipment sitting in storage for the summer, it can be vulnerable to damage from environmental factors such as humidity and heat. This is where waxing comes in as a crucial step in preventing damage to your gear.

Waxing your equipment before putting it away for the summer provides a protective layer on the base of your skis or snowboard. This layer helps to prevent moisture and other harmful substances from penetrating the base, which can cause damage over time. The wax layer also plays a key role in preventing rust buildup on the steel edges of your equipment.

Additionally, the wax can help to prevent the base from drying out or becoming too stiff, which can also cause damage to your equipment. By maintaining the right level of moisture, the wax ensures that your gear stays flexible and ready for use when the winter season comes around again. 

How Summer Waxing Is Done

Let's dive into how it's done! There are two main methods for waxing your skis or snowboard: the traditional iron-on method and the more modern infrared method.

If you decide to do it yourself, the iron-on method is the way to go. Here's a quick overview of the steps:

1. Start with a clean base: Use a base cleaner to remove any dirt or old wax from your ski or snowboard base.
2. Apply the wax: Melt the wax onto your ski or snowboard base using a waxing iron.
3. Spread the wax: Use the iron to spread the wax evenly over the entire base.
4. Scrape the excess wax: For summer wax, leave the wax on the base for storage. We recommend scraping the wax off right before your first day back on the slopes. The thicker layer of wax really helps protect the base material from the heat of the summer. Once you are ready to go ride, use a plastic scraper to remove the excess wax.
5. Buff the base: Use a brush to buff the base of your ski or snowboard to remove any remaining wax particles and to create a smooth surface.

Check out our selection of D.I.Y. wax, tools, and tuning kits.

If you'd rather have a professional do the job, our store offers a summer wax service using an infrared heater. This is the same method that many ski and snowboard factories use. It's typically higher quality, more consistent, and less messy than the traditional iron-on method.

During the infrared waxing process, your ski or snowboard is placed on a specialized stand, and an infrared heater is used to heat up the wax. The wax then penetrates deep into the base material for a longer-lasting effect. The result is a smoother ride and improved performance on the slopes.

By having your equipment waxed by a professional ski tuning service like ours, you can be sure that it's done correctly and efficiently. Plus, you can trust that our team has the knowledge and experience to handle any unique challenges or issues that may arise.

Taking care of your ski and snowboard equipment during the summer months is crucial for ensuring it stays in top condition for the next season. Proper storage and waxing are key maintenance tasks that can help protect your gear from damage and deterioration. Whether you choose to wax at home or have it done professionally, make sure you take the time to do it right. Don't forget, our three valley locations in Phoenix, Arizona, and one in Reno, Nevada are always here to help with your summer waxing and other ski tuning needs.