There are a few things that you can do now to make sure that your board is ready to ride when the snow
begins to fall.
First, if you properly stored your board for the summer, now is when you should wipe the oil or scrape
the wax off of the edges of your board, and scrape the wax off of the base of your board.
If you just threw your board in your closet after that road trip last spring then now is the time to
take the bindings off of your board and wash any crusted mud off of your board and bindings.
Next, check the edges and top of your board. Sharpen your edges. Sharpening the edges of your board is something
that you could do at home, or most board shops will sharpen the edges of your board for you. Also, look
at the board's topsheet, especially the edges, to see if there are any major chips, cracks, or if any
delamination has occurred. Get any major topsheet damage repaired as soon as possible. Any chips,
cracks, or delamination, if not fixed early on, will only get worse and may end up being unrepairable.
Now is also a good time to take a look at your boots. Put them on to see if they still fit you. If
they don’t fit, get a new pair. If you have a comfortable pair of boots you will be able to ride all
day without getting blisters or cramped toes. You could also put a coat of waterproof sealer
(that is made for boots) on your boots. Also, replace any broken laces or worn out insoles.
Planning ahead is what it all comes down to. Basic maintenance now will ensure that your board is ready
to ride when the snow begins to fall.
It’s that time of year again! There's a chill in the air and you can't wait for that
first snowfall.
Next, check your bindings. With your bindings attached to your board get
your boots and put them in the bindings. If you have strap bindings, check the straps. If any of the
straps are cracked or splitting now is the time to get them replaced. Your boots need to be secure in
your bindings or it will rough riding for you this season. If you ride with step-ins
make sure that the step-in's mechanism works, consult your owners manual for instructions on how to
lubricate the step-in's mechanism.
Finally, check the base of your board. Have any gouges repaired. Also, get a new coat of wax put on
your board. You could wax your board at home, or take it to your local board shop. If you are going
to have a shop wax your board don’t wait until the day before you leave for the snow to get your board
waxed. Sometimes it may take the shop two or three days to have your board ready. Plan ahead!
