What’s the best way to store skis and snowboards - in a ski chalet and at home at the end of the season??
Storing skis and snowboards properly at home, and overnight, while you are on holiday, is vital.
In this article we aim to answer some common questions like:
- What are skis made of and why does that affect how they should be stored?
- Should I store my skis standing up?
- How should skis and snowboards be stored while you are on holiday?
- How should you store skis at the end of the season?
- Where is the best place to store skis for the summer when they are not being used?
- Should skis be stored horizontally or vertically?
- Can I store skis and boards on a wall
Most hotels and chalets provide ski wall mounts and snowboard wall mounts to keep skis and snowboards off the floor.
Propping them up in a corner is the worst thing you can do.
We are going to show you the right way to store them until you need them in the next day or two.
Making sure they are stored correctly during the summer season is even more important. Getting this right will help to maintain your skis and snowboards in tip-top condition so they are ready to use come winter.
We show you what you need to do before you store skis and board for the summer.
The challenge of storing skis in homes, garages and sheds in the UK is quite different to storing them in a Chalet in the Alps or in a hot, dry country.
We look at where you can store skis and snowboards in typical UK flats, apartments and houses. We look at ways to store skis around the house like under a bed or in a wardrobe.
We also consider some ski wall mounting ideas and snowboard wall mount racks. Both of these offer a way to get your gear off the floor and onto the wall to allow equipment to dry out properly. Ski and snowboard wall storage also makes your gear look great and could make you look like a snow sports legend when friends come to visit.
Get it wrong and you will end up with rusty edges, delaminating bases, peeling top sheets or, at worst, an unexpected injury.
This article aims to show you the best way to store skis and snowboards while you are on holiday and how to store them for the summer, once you get back home.
If you don’t have time to read this whole article, here is a quick summary of the best way to store skis and snowboards overnight and at the end of the season:
- Skis and snowboards should be stored somewhere dry
- Cold is fine
- Avoid very hot or cycling temperatures
- The edges of skis and snowboards will rust, even overnight, if left damp
- A ski wall mount or a snowboard wall mount will allow water and snow to drip off
- If the tail(s) are off the ground there is less chance of water penetrating the core
- The edges of skis and snowboards should be waxed for longer term storage
- Waxing the base is a good idea at the end of the season
- Check everything, especially the bindings, before using them again
The following sections go into a bit more depth and detail.
What are skis made of and why does that affect how they should be stored?
Skis and snowboards are usually made with a laminated wooden (but sometimes carbon or glass fibre or even metal) core. That’s made up of thin layers of different types of wood glued together, with the grain in particular directions, to give a certain set of characteristics.
Bonded to the bottom of the core, is the base. That’s the black (usually) bit that glides over the snow. There are also steel ‘edges’ laminated into the base that should be kept sharp to cut into ice, and hard pack, to help you turn. The top of the skis is covered with a top sheet, the bit you can see when skiing, that usually includes graphics.
Fixed into these are the ‘bindings’ that hold your boots. These are sophisticated bits of engineering full of screws and springs that control how tightly the ski is attached to the boot and how easily the two part-company in the event of a crash. Snowboards have bindings too but these are not designed to release the boot in a crash.
That makes it all sound simple but making skis and snowboards is a much more complex process than described here, which is why they are so expensive.
It is vital that all these parts are kept in good condition to keep things working properly and to avoid accidents.
The base is ‘ground’ (from when new and is sometimes renewed when you get your skis serviced) to create a surface that pushes water out when skiing. It needs to be kept free of scratches and scuffs and also needs to be regularly waxed. Deep gouges can expose the core and these need to be filled as soon as possible.
Rusty edges will not hold an edge and, if too rusty, will ultimately fall apart. Keeping them rust free is actually really easy. Skis that skitter across the snow rather than cut-in and hold an edge can be difficult to control and lead to nasty accidents.
The top sheet is important to cover and protect the wooden core. If it gets chipped to reveal the inner layers then damp can penetrate and cause the whole ski to delaminate. Stopping that happening is also very easy and keeps the skis and boards looking smart.
Bindings on skis, that are damaged or full of rust or dirt will simple not release the boot properly. The skis will come off when they are not meant to (not good if you are in deep powder) or not come off when they should (not good if you’ve taken a bad tumble). The bindings are the most important part of a ski so you need to make sure you look after them properly to avoid serious accidents.
Should I store my skis standing up?
It depends on how long they will stand there and whether the skis are dry or not.
If they are just going to be stood up for an hour or two, while you have a spot of lunch or a quick Vin chaud, they will be OK just about anywhere.
If the skis and the floor are dry, you can leave them on the floor for much longer.
However, leaving them stood in a corner while they are still wet or snowy from skiing, will cause problems.
There are often a lot of nicks and chips in the tails of skis from people’s skis behind you in chairlift queues. Any snow left on the ski or board, or stuck in the bindings, will melt. Water will accumulate around the tails and can creep into any scratches and chips, causing the edges to rust and potentially delaminate.
If you do want to store skis or snowboards standing up vertically, you should consider a ski wall rack. You find these in most boot rooms in hotels and chalets. The ski is held upright but off the floor, by the tips or the bindings. They will be fine in the short term and for longer term storage you should take a few more simple precautions.
How should skis and snowboards be stored while you are on holiday?
Don’t just prop them up in a corner, even in a boot room!!
As soon as you get off the slopes and back to your apartment or chalet you should hang the skis on ski wall mounts like a wall mounted ski rack. Most of these store the skis by the tips but some support the skis on their bindings. Either is fine
Snowboards should be hung the same way on a snowboard wall mount rack. Whilst you can store two snowboards back to back, most wall mounted racks hold snowboards by the bindings.
Snow will probably still be stuck in the bindings, so the skis or boards need to be hung, off the floor so this can melt and drip away, clear of the tails. If you get chance, you should also quickly dry the edges.
It’s important that skis or boards are not left on the floor where melting snow will pool around the tails or the edges. That will make the edges rust and, in the worst scenario, cause the ski to delaminate.
If you are lucky enough to be staying in a Hotel or chalet, they will probably have a heated boot room with racking all the way around onto which you can slide your skis and snowboards.
If it’s your property, you should invest in a ski wall mount. This will keep the skis off the floor and out of the way.
How should you store skis at the end of the season?
Skis and snowboards need to be bone dry before you put them away.
This section shows you How to look after skis and snowboards before you store them for any length of time.
The bases should be waxed with a storage wax, although this is not vital, especially if you plan to have them serviced before you use them again. If you do your own ski servicing, just an ordinary wax will help, but again it’s not vital.
If you don’t have an iron then you can use rub-on or spray-on wax. This is not great for actually skiing but it’s a really quick fix before you store your skis.
The edges should be wiped dry and can be coated in wax (old ski wax or even a candle will do) to stop them rusting. A full edge sharpen may not be necessary and any rust already on the edges can easily be removed with a bit of wire wool. If you rub that in wax first you can do both jobs at once.
Top Sheet chips or scratches should be sealed with an epoxy sealant to stop damp getting into the laminated core. A dab of Araldite, or any clear epoxy glue, will do the trick.
Bindings should be carefully checked before you put them away for any loose parts. Don’t be tempted to spray them with anything (especially not WD40). Most modern bindings don’t need lubricating regularly and most have plastic parts that could be damaged by solvents and lubricants. Just make sure they are clean and dry. If in doubt, take them to a local ski shop to get them checked. Snowboard bindings can be removed from the board if you want.
If you are going to store ski’s as a pair, base-to-base, then you should separate them with a soft pad and/or a special ski strap. This makes them easier to handle and will stop the tails opening of you store them by the tips. This will also stop the bases rubbing and scuffing if you take them on a plane, in a car or on a coach.
Where is the best place to store skis for the summer when they are not being used?
At the end of the season skis and snowboards need to be stored somewhere DRY. Humidity is a killer and will make edges rust and might affect the bindings. Somewhere cold is not a problem. Somewhere too hot or with fluctuating temperature should be avoided.
Can I store skis outside?
- in a weatherproof shelter might be OK but any damp at all will rust the edges and might affect the bindings. Both of these are vital for safe skiing so we wouldn’t recommend outside.
Is it OK to store skis in a garage?
- Yes, as long as it’s dry. Somewhere cold isn’t a problem but it should be dry. A damp, leaky, old garage is not a good place to store anything really.
Can I leave my skis and snowboards in the shed?
- No. This isn’t the best place either, as the temperature varies wildly in summer and they are often damp in winter.
Can I store my skis under a bed or in a wardrobe?
- Yes you can, as long as you have a bed with legs. If it’s a divan you may have problems unless it’s a storage divan that hinges at the top or sides. They shouldn’t come to any harm under a bed, but they might get in the way and they will get very dusty.
Can I hang skis on the wall?
- Yes you can. In a living room, hallway or dry garage is ideal. It means they can be seen and appreciated but are safe, dry and out of the way. This wall also save a lot of space.
Other places to store skis (or NOT!):
Skis and snowboards in a boiler room - may seem like a nice warm place but constantly changing, temperatures will make the skis and boards expand and contract repeatedly which should be avoided. If the boiler room is a fairly constant temperature then they will be fine in there.
Leaving skis in a conservatory - will be cold at night and could be baking during the day in summer. These extremes and constantly cycling temperatures should be avoided.
Storing skis in a utility room (with washing machines) or near a hot tub
- high humidity is a problem so these places should be avoided.
Skis in a home office - or an outside building that is a bit more than a shed, like a home office with some heating, should be ok. If you mount them on a ski wall mount of some kind, they will look great too.
Keeping skis in an airing cupboard - might be damp and might fluctuate from cold to hot during the day. It would be fine if it was only used for dry towels and bedding and the temperature stayed fairly constant.
Wherever you store skis and snowboards - Just take note of the ways to prepare skis for long term storage.
Should skis be stored horizontally or vertically?
It doesn’t matter too much as long as they are not on the floor and certainly not in water.
It’s easiest to store skis and snowboards vertically where you can hang them by the tips or bindings. This gets the tails off the ground and allows any water to drip away. They can be stored like this overnight or for long term storage between seasons, but they should be properly prepared.
If you store skis or snowboards horizontally they should be on a shelf or on a horizontal rack. This wouldn’t be the usual way to store them in a boot room because they would take up too much space. There is also a chance that water would sit on the skis, causing the edges and bindings to rust. If they are properly prepared, they will be fine stored horizontally or vertically.
Can I store skis and boards on a wall
Yes. Skis and boards can easily be stored on a wall. It won’t damage the skis or boards especially if the hooks are covered in a soft coating. Get the right product, and you can store them together on the same wall mounted rack.
It’s the best place to store skis and boards while you are skiing. If you mount the rack at the right height, it will keep the ski tips off the floor so water can drip off and can’t accumulate around the tails. It will also allow air to circulate to keep them dry.
When you get home again, storing them, for summer, on the wall can look great and keep them out of harm’s way. A wall mounted ski rack, or a snowboard wall mount of some kind, won’t stick out far into a room so, if you have a corridor, they should be fine there. They will also look great on your lounge wall.
If you use a GearHooks ski wall mount or ski rack wall mount then these will allow you to store skis (and snowboards) on the wall, in the minimum space.
The Ski Club of Great Britain reviewed one of these and you can see the review here : https://www.skiclub.co.uk/news/kit-news/2018/09/gear-hook-review
What's the best way to store skis and snowboards (a summary):
- Skis and snowboards should be stored somewhere dry
- Cold is fine
- Avoid very hot or cycling temperatures
- The edges of skis and snowboards will rust, even overnight, if left damp
- A ski wall mount or a snowboard wall mount will allow water and snow to drip off
- If the tail(s) are off the ground there is less chance of water penetrating the core
- The edges of skis and snowboards should be waxed for longer term storage
- Waxing the base is a good idea at the end of the season
- Check everything, especially the bindings, before using them again
We hope that helps.
Take a look at all our ski wall mounts here and our snowboard wall mounts here.
If you need any more help or advice, just get in touch. We not only make all these ski and snowboards storage products we are keen skiers too and we are happy to help if we can.
Happy skiing and boarding!!
