Winter is finally starting to creep back into the mountains, so now is the perfect time to give your
backcountry setup a little pre-season TLC. I thought it might be useful for me to go through my
pre-season ski maintenance routine with everyone who is willing to listen (I suppose in this case
“read” would be more appropriate!). So, grab your favorite beverage and read on.
To start with you, should know that I always leave a coating of base wax on all my skis at
the end of each season and hang them up in my garage. This allows them to heat up in the
summer, and keeps the bases from drying out during the offseason.
Here is my pre-season routine:
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- Clean the Skis and Bindings
I rinse my skis off with the garden hose and then take a rag and dry them off paying attention to
getting the bindings good and clean. This gets all the dirt and stuff off the bindings. - Check Bindings and Hardware
Tighten all screws on touring bindings and split board hardware. Test the release function, walk
mode, risers, and heel pieces. If you use tech bindings, inspect toe pins for wear and make sure
boots click in crisply. Obviously if you are not sure how to test your bindings then by all means
please take them to a ski shop where the ski tech will know how to do this. - Remove Summer Wax if You Have It
Heat up the summer storage wax and then scrape it off while it is still slightly warm. - Inspect Your Bases and Edges
Look for core shots, deep scratches, or edge separation. Minor gouges can be easily filled with P-tex
and a lighter, but bigger damage is worth a shop visit. Finish with a fresh edge tune – sharp
edges make a huge difference on early-season, variable snow. For backcountry touring I discourage
getting a race tune with very sharp edges. I prefer moderately sharp edges. You just do not need
super sharp edges for the backcountry. This can easily be done with a basic diamond
stone, a side bevel of 2 degrees, and a clamp or just take it to a ski shop like The Fifth Season in
Mt Shasta. - Refresh Your Wax
Hot-wax and scrape for the conditions you expect. I will typically rub on a base conditioning
wax with graphite such as Dominator Renew G and then hot drip an all-temperature hydrocarbon
wax such as Dominator Zoom. This is a warmer temperature wax since I typically am skiing on
snow that is warmer. If you ski in colder conditions, then a colder wax would be called for.
Hydrated bases glide better and prevent early-season sticking. - Rejuvenate Your Skins
Unroll your climbing skins and check for worn plush, peeling edges, or weak glue. Clean off debris,
re-glue if needed (which is a pain in the a#$!), and trim frayed spots. Make sure tail clips and
tip loops still hold securely. Honestly, I replace my skin’s when they start to not climb very well
or the glue just will not hold to the ski. It’s just not worth the time or hassle to replace old glue! - Safety Gear – Very Important
I always take the batteries out of my beacons at the end of each season but if you did not do that now
is the time to swap out the old batteries for new ones. Inflate your airbag pack to ensure everything
is functioning and check your probe and shovel for smooth deployment. Early-season avalanche conditions
can be unpredictable – your safety kit is just as vital as your skis. - Dial In Your Pack Essentials
Refresh your repair kit (extra screws, Voilé straps, ski straps, scraper, multi-tool, etc…) and
replace any missing first-aid items. Remember to throw in some skin wax to help with snow build
up on your skin’s. I also carry a wax scraper to help remove snow from my skin’s. Early season
tours are smoother when your pack is dialed in before getting to the trailhead.
- Clean the Skis and Bindings
Remember that a well-maintained backcountry setup is not just about performance.
It is about safety, efficiency, and making the most of those first turns of the season. Give your
gear some love now, and you will be ready when the mountains finally turn white.
Written By David Cressman