Preparing Your Skis for the Season — How to Store Them Until November
September is here, the evenings are starting to feel a bit chilly, and ski resorts are already talking about artificial snow for November. If you're a skier, it's time to start thinking about your next season. Pulling your skis out of their dusty corner two weeks before the slopes open only to discover they need a full wax or that the edges are rusted is always an unpleasant surprise. Here’s how to properly prepare and store your skis until November.
The End-of-Season Inspection You Might Have Missed
Ideally, skis should have been serviced in the spring, right after the season ended. If that wasn't the case, don't panic — September is still early enough to take them to a shop technician. A full service includes storage waxing (which protects the bases), edge sharpening, and binding checks.
Also inspect your poles: are the baskets intact? Are the tips not too worn? And your ski boots: do the buckles work? Are the liners in good condition? It’s better to sort out these details in September than in a rush the day before your first ski day.
Properly Storing Your Skis While You Wait for November
Poorly stored skis deteriorate. Skis should never be laid flat on a damp floor or precariously leaned against a wall. The ideal solution: hang them vertically or horizontally on a wall rack designed for this purpose.
AVLR Creations ski racks allow you to store skis and poles together, neatly, without risk of falling. Solid wood prevents marks and scratches on edges or bases. And unlike metal racks, it doesn't condense moisture upon contact with the skis.
The Ideal Location for Storing Your Skis
Skis are best stored in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperature fluctuations. The garage is acceptable if it's dry. An air-conditioned basement is even better. Avoid very humid spaces or direct sunlight, which can affect binding adhesives and the composite materials of the skis.
If you store your skis in a garage, make sure the wall rack is mounted on an interior wall (not the garage’s exterior wall, which is more prone to temperature variations) and that the space is ventilated. A few simple precautions can make a big difference in the lifespan of your skis.
Anticipate the Season Now
In addition to preparing your skis, September is a good month to book your season passes, check your memberships to favorite resorts, and plan your first ski weekends. The best accommodations fill up quickly for Christmas and spring break periods.
Well-stored and well-prepared, your skis will be ready when the first snow falls. And with a properly installed wall rack, all you’ll need to do is unhook them and go.
---
Discover our collection of wall-mounted ski racks made in Quebec →