Summer Storage Tips: Take Care of Your Gear, So It's Ready When the Snow Falls

Just because the snow has melted in most places doesn’t mean ski season is over—at least not when it comes to taking care of your gear. A little effort now will save you time, money, and frustration when winter returns. Here are four essential summer storage tips to keep your HAGAN gear in top shape:

1. Protect Your Skis 

Before you stash your skis, use a ski base cleaner or a damp cloth to remove any dirt and grime from the bases. Clean those edges!  Remove any rust or corrosion from the edges with a gummy stone or steel wool. Then apply a thick coat of summer storage wax. Don’t scrape it! This protective layer seals the base from air and moisture, preventing oxidation and keeping the base hydrated and fast for next season’s first tour.

For Bindings, you should turn down DIN settings: Lowering the binding's DIN (or release value) will help prevent springs from being over-compressed during storage.  Apply some binding grease to pivot points and on the heel tower to keep things moving free and smooth. Store skis in a cool, dry place preferably vertical—not in a hot garage or attic.

2. Clean and Store Your Climbing Skins Properly

Dirty skins degrade faster and do not grip and glide as well. For Hybrid skins, clean the adhesive side with the appropriate hybrid skin cleaner or mild soap and a soft sponge to remove dirt, pine needles, and grime. Then, clean the plush (mohair) side with damp cloth and apply skin wax or Impregnation spray to extend its life and improve glide. For SmartGlue skins, clean the adhesive with a little heat from a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen the grime, dirt and particles from the adhesive with a lint free rag.  Clean the plush side with a damp cloth.  Then wax your skins or treat with Impregnation Spray.

Use skin savers (mesh sheets) to separate the glue sides, or if you don’t have them, place the skins glue-to-glue with minimal pressure. Store skins flat or hanging in a cool, dry place—not in a hot garage or attic.

3. Remove Batteries from Your Avalanche Beacon

Batteries left inside your beacon can corrode and destroy sensitive electronics. Remove them, store them separately, and leave the battery compartment open to prevent moisture buildup.

4. Pray for Snow

It’s never too early to start doing your snow dances. Enjoy the off-season, get strong, and stay stoked—winter always comes back.