Prepping for the Ski and Snowboard Season

With resorts opening and an epic season on the horizon, it's time to shake off the summer dust and get your ski and snowboard gear into top shape. Proper maintenance ensures better performance, longevity, and fewer on-mountain mishaps. We'll cover how to wash, treat, and patch your ski jacket, pants, or bibs. We'll also talk you through how to get your skis or snowboard ready for long days on the mountain, and how to take care of everything else — gloves, goggles, boots, and more. Whether you're a seasoned rider or gearing up for your first winter season, this guide has you covered.

Dusting Off Last Season's Gear

Before you hit the slopes, take stock of your gear and outerwear.

Storage Check

Pull out your skis or snowboard and give them a thorough inspection. Look for rust on the edges, scratches on the base, or loose screws on bindings. If your gear was stored in a humid area (hello, garage), you might find some corrosion or rust on your edges that you'll want to fix.

For ski bindings, make sure screws are tight, the release mechanisms are working, and your dins are set correctly — if you're not sure what this means, we'd recommend heading to your local ski shop. For snowboard bindings, check the straps for fraying, wear and tear that may become problematic, and check for any loose screws. 

Outerwear and Accessories

Outerwear takes a beating throughout the season. Check jackets, pants, and gloves for holes, tears, dirt, sweat, or flaking seams. Give zippers a test run — if they stick, a little Zipper Lubricant will work wonders.

Pull out your gear now to avoid scrambling before your first run. Finding out your favorite gloves have a hole in the parking lot is not ideal.

Essential Repairs and Maintenance

Outerwear Care

Dirty jackets and pants don't repel water very well, and a few cold, wet runs can end your day. Launder your gear using Revivex Pro Cleaner to remove grime or Down Cleaner for insulated pieces. You can knock out re-waterproofing at the same time — you'll pour about 1oz of Revivex Wash-In per garment into your washing machine's fabric softener dispenser, and then dry everything at medium heat. You can also use a Durable Water Repellent Spray for targeted areas that see a lot of wear. For example, if you wear a pack all winter for out-of-bounds touring, it might be a good idea to spray your shoulders down after your garments are bulk treated. 

If you spot tears or holes, patch them up with Tenacious Tape. It's a quick, durable, peel-and-stick solution that comes in clear or color options. When cutting a piece of repair tape, make sure to round the corners and apply the patch with pressure to make sure it sticks all season (and longer). If you want to make it even easier, use a pre-cut patch — ours have pre-rounded corners and they fit well into the baffles of most jackets.

If you spend a lot of time on the mountain throughout the season, consider reapplying DWR spray every few weeks. It's a small effort that keeps you dry and warm all season long.

Ski/Snowboard Care

A smooth base and sharp edges make all the difference. Start with a basic wax job: if you snowboard, remove your bindings (skiers can skip this step), melt the wax, spread it evenly in long strokes across your base(s) covering every inch, let it cool, and then use a scraper in long vertical strokes to remove excess, and buff. Pro tip: Most scrapers have a notch meant for removing any wax from your edges — use it!

Speaking of edges, they need love, too. If you found rust or corrosion during your storage check, using a gummy stone or fine sandpaper will remove it and get those edges back in good shape. Check for burrs or nicks that might catch on the snow. Minor issues can be handled with an edge tool, but major ones? We recommend leaving those to a ski shop.

Binding Check

Bindings are critical for safety and performance. Double check for loose screws, worn straps, or signs of rust. If snowboard binding screws won't stay tight, consider using Blue Loctite to secure them. For complex adjustments on ski bindings, trust a ski tech.

Footwear Fixes

Snowboard boots take a lot of abuse. Check for sole separation, cracks, or tears in the fabric. Small damages can lead to big problems, like wet, cold feet. Seal cracks and tears with Aquaseal SR, which dries flexible and waterproof. Apply this adhesive, and then use painters tape to hold the area together while it cures if necessary.

While you're at it, inspect your laces or BOA systems for wear and make sure to replace anything that looks questionable or broken.

Accessory Prep: Goggles, Gloves, and Helmets

Goggles

Scratched lenses or foggy goggles can ruin a great powder day. Clean them gently with a microfiber cloth and use GEAR AID Anti-Fog Spray on non-anti-reflective coatings. Not sure if your goggles have an anti-reflective coating? Check the manufacturer's website or err on the side of caution.

Gloves

Tears in gloves are common but easy to fix. You can cover pinholes with a dot of Aquaseal FD, and even cover that with Tenacious Tape for reinforcement. For bigger rips and tears, consider using a Sewing Kit to give 'em new life. Keep your fingers toasty and your gloves in action longer.

Helmets

Inspect helmets for cracks or compression marks that could compromise safety and get a new one if necessary. And remember, helmets should be replaced after a significant impact — even if they look fine.

Touring Safety Gear

If you head out-of-bounds, you know that backcountry skiing, or splitboarding requires some different prep than in-bounds riding.

Touring vs. In-Bounds Skiing

Unlike resort skiing, backcountry riding relies on self-sufficiency. Pull out and inspect your avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe to make sure they're still in good shape before the first day of the season.

Avalanche Safety

Check your avalanche beacon for functionality and replace batteries with fresh ones. Brush up on your avy knowledge, follow your local avalanche center for current conditions, and practice using it in a safe area with partners you trust to ensure you're confident in an emergency.

Reglue Ski Skins

If your ski skins are losing their stickiness and peeling off mid-tour, it’s time to refresh the adhesive to restore their performance. To re-glue, start by cleaning the old adhesive off the back of the skins using a scraper, or a heat gun to soften and remove it. Lay the skins flat, adhesive side up, on a clean surface. Apply new skin glue evenly across the surface, either directly from a tube or with a sheet of adhesive transfer material, depending on the product you’re using. Let the glue cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions before you fold them back up for storage! Regluing your skins will restore their grip before you head back out-of-bounds.

On-the-Go Repairs and Tools

When you're out on the mountain, having a small, packable repair kit can save the day.

Tenacious Tape

Use this repair tape to patch outerwear, ski packs, and even sleeping pads if you're camping in your favorite mountain resort's parking lot. Its versatility makes it a must-have, it doesn't leave sticky residue like duct tape, and it's so small and lightweight that it's a no brainer to keep a few pieces or patches stashed.

Aquaseal UV

This quick-curing adhesive (think under a minute) is perfect for small gear fixes back at the lodge or in the parking lot. It works best in sunlight, so bluebird days are ideal, but even limited UV will get the job done.

Microfiber Towel

Keep a GEAR AID Microfiber Towel in your car or pack. Use it to dry your skis or board after your last run of the day to prevent rust, or wipe down your goggles and helmet.

Prep for the Whole Family

For families, gear prep is about durability. If gear is going to be passed down to younger siblings, make sure it stays in great shape season after season. Using Tenacious Tape Gear Patches for rips and tears, can add both fun and functionality — patches that come in shapes like bears, pine trees, and more.

When to Visit the Pros

Investing in professional care when needed can extend the life of your gear and keep you safer on the mountain. Some ski and snowboard fixes are best left to the experts. Visit a ski shop for:

• — Full edge tuning and extensive base repairs
• — Binding recalibration to ensure proper release settings
• — Boot stretching/modifications or advanced repairs

Prepping your gear for the season isn't just about performance — it's about hitting the slopes with confidence and peace of mind. Taking care of your equipment now means more time enjoying fresh snow and less time worrying about malfunctions. Repairing your winter gear instead of replacing it also keeps it out of landfills and reduces waste. Whether it's patching thrifted outerwear to avoid purchasing something new, or fixing your trusty jacket for the third season in a row, these small actions add up. And when you do need to buy new-to-you gear, buying new or thrifting quality gear means that it will last longer and you'll need fewer replacements over time. GEAR AID products make maintaining your gear easy, so you can focus on what matters — having an epic winter.