Maximize Your Ski Investment: Tips for Keeping Your Gear in Great Shape

Picture this: it’s an epic powder day, and you’re charging, skis floating through the soft snow. You’re lapping lifts, staying warm and dry because your ski gear is repelling the brutal storm barreling down. Now imagine the opposite: your skis are dragging through the snow like they’re stuck in honey, your boots feeling looser than gravel under a slick tire, making your turns sloppy, and your outerwear getting soaked by the storm—not exactly what you had in mind in your ski dreams.

Keeping your gear in great shape extends the life of your investment AND allows you to maximize your performance and fun on the mountain. Here’s how to take care of your skis, boots, outerwear, and base layers so they perform at their peak for your winter sports:

Skis: Keep on Gliding

Keep your skis tuned with Kind Bikes and Skis

Keeping your skis isn’t just about looking like a pro in the lift line; it’s about performance and longevity.

Most people know that waxing helps you glide better on the snow, but did you know you can’t wax your skis or snowboards enough? For starters, that incredibly thin layer of wax is under tremendous friction and heat on the slopes—sometimes only lasts a day or two of skiing or snowboarding.

Imagine how much it would hurt to slide on your bare belly in the snow. That’s happening to your skis 2,000 feet of vertical at a time, repetitively! A well-waxed base glides more smoothly over the snow, reducing wear and tear on the base material, filling the pores in the ski base, preventing moisture from being absorbed, and reducing the chance of damage from drying out. Exposure to oxygen can degrade the ski base over time, and wax acts as a barrier against this process.

Additionally, snow temperatures constantly change, and your glide can also benefit from your wax adapting. The wrong wax can turn your run into a slow-motion fail on the slopes. Ever find yourself stuck in slushy snow? It could be the cold weather wax on a warm sunny day. Is your snowboard sticking in cold, dry snow? Your wax may be too warm for the conditions. Watching the weather and updating your wax to match snow temps is a good idea. Also, applying storage wax at the end of the ski season helps your sticks stay hydrated in summer storage, especially in Colorado's dry climate.

DIY types can grab an at-home wax kit—our staff will even talk you through how to do it. Not your jam? No worries. You can still save some cash by grabbing a 10-punch card for hot waxes and saving 50%.

DIY Wax kit at The kInd Bikes and Skis

Burrs can mess with your turns, causing your skis to grab rather than glide. Burrs are small, sharp, raised pieces of metal that are normal part of wear and tear along the side of the edge of your ski. Burrs form on your edges when your skis hit something harder than the snow on the mountain (like sneaky rocks). The solution? Use a hand file to knock off the burrs between tunes (we sell them at the shop and can save you $$ on tuning), or let us run your skis or snowboard through our Montana Crystal Glide equipment for a sharper, grippier edge.

If you take care of your skis, they will go the distance. But when is the time for an upgrade? Simple: when your technique or skills outgrow your gear. Maybe you’ve evolved beyond groomers and are now crushing steeper lines and want a more aggressive ski. Or you find yourself chasing kids through the family zone and enjoy a ski or snowboard that carves the groomers better on bluebird days.

The best way to learn what you like is to try before you buy. Kind Bikes and Skis offers ski rentals in Vail and Edwards, Colorado and demos of all the skis and snowboards we sell. If you demo a ski you can’t live without, we will credit up to two days of demo cost toward purchasing your new skis.

Ski & Snowboard Boots: The Key to Comfort and Control

Ski and snowboard boots are the connection between you and your skis on the mountain. A good fit equals better performance. “Your boot should feel like a firm handshake,” explains Chris Anderson, owner of Kind Bikes and Skis.

But we know fitting boots can be like Goldilocks’ quest: too tight at first, then loose over time.

Boot liners naturally pack out with use. If your boots feel a bit roomy, bring them into the shop for adjustments that can buy you another season or two. But once a liner has been packed out (and remolded) and packed out again, it’s time for an upgrade. Luckily, new technology keeps rolling out for better performance.

The BOA system in Nordica and Saloman boots is a game-changer—no more pinch points from buckles. Instead, twist the dial on the BOA to evenly tighten around your foot for an enveloping fit.

Boa Boots at The Kind Bike and Skis

Outerwear: Keep it Clean and Dry

Dirty ski jackets (maybe with a hint of duct tape) might be a ski bum badge of honor, but guess what? Your jacket is begging for a wash. That grease and grime don’t just look bad; the dirt and oils wear down your waterproofing.

The fix? Pick up some Nikwash Tech Wash next time you’re through the shop. It cleans your technical gear and increases its water-repellency.

Here’s the process:

Wash up to three items with Nikwax Tech Wash to clean away the dirt and grime.
Run another cycle with TX Direct Wash-in to restore water repellency
Hang to dry

Hot tip: Check your pockets for cash, snacks, and chapstick before washing. (Wax on your skis, not your pockets.)

When your gear stops bouncing back, it’s time for a new kit. Opt for sustainable brands like Flylow, Black Diamond, and Armada (all available at Kind Bikes and Skis!), prioritizing high-quality and responsible production. Your adventures—and the planet—will thank you.

Base Layers: Stay Warm Without Smelling Funky

Merino Base Layers at The Kind Bikes and Skis

Merino wool is the GOAT of base layers—soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally odor-resistant. But even Merino has its limits. If your chairlift buddies start keeping their distance, it’s time for laundry day.

Wash merino layers in cool water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Gently washing will help you avoid shrinkage—unless you want a race kit look. Never put your wool products in the dryer—always hang dry them. This will protect the fibers and prevent your wool garments from shrinking!

Final Thoughts

Treat your gear right, and it will return the favor by lasting longer and going the distance. Have questions? Stop by Kind Bikes and Skis in West Vail or Edwards, Colorado for equipment rentals, demos, winter sports clothing, and more.