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Your ski or snowboard provides plenty of excitement and fun during the winter sports season. But when it's time to put them away for the summer, how can you make them last? Summer is notorious for hot and humid conditions, so it's especially important to find a storage solution that can protect your ski and snowboard gear from humidity and extreme temperatures.

This quick guide will show you how to store your ski and snowboard gear properly so that they will look and function the same when you bring them out of storage. You will also learn where to keep your gear so that they can remain in the same excellent condition after months in storage.

Clean Your Gear

The first rule regarding ski or snowboard storage is to make sure that all your gear is clean and free from debris, salt, and dirt. Any of these components can corrode your equipment and diminish its function in storage. Then, your gear should be tuned. Ski tuning is a vital step in ski equipment maintenance which includes sharpening the edges and a basic wax application. There are different kinds of tuning, from basic to a more rigorous alpine ski tuning process.

If you are short on time or don’t have the tools, your local ski shop can tune your gear for you, or you can save money and do it yourself. The clean exterior and fresh coat of wax on the bases of your skis or snowboard protect the edges from rusting. If you don’t have time to sharpen the edges of your ski or snowboard, apply a thin coat of wax on the edges to protect the metal moisture and rust damage.

List of Dos and Don’ts

After your gear is fully cleaned and tuned, it's time to put your ski or snowboard in storage. There are some easy rules to follow to make sure that your gear comes out in the best condition after long-term storage. Since you're storing them in the summer, it's imperative to avoid hot and humid conditions. Check out this list for more details about what to do.

The DOs of Storing Ski and Snowboard Gear:

• Do store your gear in a dry area. Moisture can create rust and corrode your gear over time. It can also cause fabrics to rot and develop mildew.
• Do store any fabric-based ski gear like snowsuits in vacuum-sealed bags. This ensures that all moisture is taken out of the equation and that no pests can gnaw away at the clothing while it is in storage. Be sure to fully dry out all ski apparel before committing to the sealing process.
• Do store your boots in an upright position, fully fastened and cleaned. To keep dust away, put them in a fabric bag that is left open to provide air circulation. Do not use a boot bag that may contain dirt from the winter sports season.

The DON’TS of Storing Ski and Snowboard Gear

• Do not store your gear in any place that isn’t air-conditioned or with an active dehumidifier running. This includes damp basements, garages, attics, or storage units that don’t have air conditioners or dehumidifiers. In the summer, humidity levels can go above 70% in many parts of the country, especially in the Southeastern United States. If you’re ever in doubt that your storage area is too humid, then look for a temperature-controlled storage unit near you.
• Do not store any hard ski or snowboard equipment in an enclosed loose bag. Bags can trap moisture which deteriorates the bases and edges of your gear. If you have no choice but to use a bag, experts recommend keeping it unzipped to promote air circulation.
• Do not adjust the binding tension of your skis. All you have to do is make sure that this area of your ski set is clean.

Do you store them upright or flat?

It doesn't matter whether you store your gear upright or in a flat position. However, if you want to save space in your storage unit, you can use vertical storage like a rack to hold your skis. If you don't have any accessories to store your gear in a vertical position, then laying them flat on a raised pallet or a shelf is also fine.

It's important to not lay your gear directly on the ground just in case condensation from the ground or floodwaters affect your gear. If you store your gear upright, store them on their tails. If you plan to store them flat, place them on their sides. If you don’t have access to a temperature-controlled unit, you can easily store your skis under your bed or a closet corner in an air-conditioned house.

What Is the Best Way to Store Ski Boots?

While all of your ski gear needs careful inspection and cleaning up before storing it, put some extra time into your ski boots. Most ski boots are valuable and are not worn too often each season. That means they should last several years. That is only possible if you store them properly, though. There are several important things to remember when the season is over about your snow boots.

Removing the moisture first

Moisture is the biggest factor in the early failure and breakdown of ski boots. It is necessary to ensure they dry out completely before you store them. To get them to dry fully, start by wiping them down on the outside. Then, pull out the liners from within the shells. Do not store them without taking this step. The liners are where most of the moisture will build from sweet. However, the shells may remain damp under the liners, especially if the interior of the boot becomes significantly wet during the season.

Once you take out the liners, then remove the footbeds. Allow these to dry fully separate from each other for at least 48 hours. Ensure they dry completely before you move forward. Avoid placing these components in the sun or near any type of furnace duct, fan, or other heat source. Let them air dry without heat for the best possible results.

Next, target the inside of the ski boots. If you smell anything coming from them, you will need to wipe them out. Then, apply a disinfectant to them. You can purchase a spray product for this. Once you spray the interior, allow the boots to dry fully before moving on.

Finally, during this cleaning process, remove any damage and dirt from the shells. If you notice that the buckles are missing or broken or that they are no longer staying closed, you may want to replace these components.

Once all is dry, put the ski boots back together. Avoid putting anything else within the boot itself. Then, store them together. It is best to place them in a waterproof boot bag, or you can find a water resistant cinch bag. Keep them in a dry area that is well ventilated. Also, note that high temperatures can be a problem for these boots. Be sure to keep them away from any heat source during storage. Ensure there are no pests that may want to make the interior of these boots their home for the winter either.

When it comes time to use them, your ski boots should have maintained their shape and should be ready to go.

How Do You Store a Snowsuit?

A snowsuit can be one of the most important tools you have when you hit the slopes. It is not just designed to help keep you warm, but it also is exceedingly helpful at ensuring you have a bit of padding when you go down. The key here is to buy a high quality product that you can use for years to come. Then, you will need to take care of it as you store it over the summer months.

There are several key steps to this process. First, read the tag on any snowsuit to find out if it is one you can toss in the laundry. There are many products that require professional cleaning. For some products, like those with Gore-Tex, you need to be careful about washing the material as this could damage the waterproofing on the exterior.

Once you clean it properly, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, your next step is to store it. Never store it wet or even damp. Ensure it dries fully before putting it away for the season. It is a good idea to allow it to try in a dry area with little to no heat – you do not want to put it in direct heat as that can damage the material itself.

Once you have checked the snowsuit to ensure it is in good condition, clean, and fully dry, the next step is to cover them. You don’t have to buy a special covering for them – a plastic bag that you tie at the bottom is enough. The key is to ensure that the snowsuit is stored clean and dry – but also on a hanger when possible.

Keep these items out of high heat environments. In the summer, the attic could be the worst place for them as that heat can rise significantly. You also do not want to put them in an area with humidity problems, like the basement. This moisture can seep into the material, causing damage to it.

You can put it into a dry tub with a lid. If you plan to do this, and store other ski gear with it, be sure everything is clean and wrapped separately to keep items from rubbing against each other. It also is important to keep a lid on it so that nothing accidentally spills on it.

Providing proper storage for these items can help them to last longer. If you do not have room in your home for the ideal climate controlled space, turn to a local storage shop. Keep them wrapped up and out of the way of any type of moisture for the best results in preserving your snowsuit.

Need a Temperature-Controlled Storage Unit?

If all your current storage options don't have the conditions you need to protect your ski or snowboard equipment, then you need to find a temperature-controlled storage unit. Storage Rental Units of America has plenty of options and payment plans to allow easy summer storage for your winter gear. Ask us about our temperature-controlled units that have active humidity control that will keep rust and corrosion at bay. Contact us to learn more.

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Storage Rentals of America is your convenient self-storage solution. So come into our office or give our storage experts a call at 1-800-457-5678. Our call center is available 7 days a week and can help determine which storage unit size best fits your storage needs.