“Skiing is Life!” Those who ski more than two or three times a year really do live by that creed. I bumped into this idea 15+ years ago as a new ski instructor at Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon, deep in the Wasatch Front. The other philosophy used by avid skiers is that there are two seasons; the ski season, and the pre-ski season – the idea being that we are always doing it.. Or preparing to “do it.” Right now we are in the last of the “pre-season,” so here a few things you can do to get yourself and your gear in shape for Utah’s ski season.
First of all, there things you should be doing all year, like eating a healthy diet, exercising (hiking, running, biking), and staying active. With that said…
1. Go to Home Depot and buy 3 “C” clamps, two 5 gallon buckets and shop towels.
2. Fill the buckets with ice
3. Put 3 “C” clamps on each foot and tighten them beyond the pain threshold.
4. Place both feet in the buckets of ice (“C” clamps in place), and don’t remove for 4-6 hours.
***This simulates a day in ski boots***
Seriously though, there are items to get to work on to prepare for ski season. First of all, there is still time to work on your cardio. Hike, run, bike, or even exercise on the boring treadmill in the gym or your “workout” room at home. Or if the weather is still nice, get outside and see the fall colors and get some exercise at the same time
Next, take inventory of your gear. Coats need to be cleaned and/or waterproofed. I suggest going to a professional dry cleaner you trust and have them do the waterproofing.
Check your gloves for wear and tear. If they’re good for another year, just treat them with waterproofing. This you can do yourself with any typical camp spray from Walmart. Just make sure to apply it outside and let it dry thoroughly.
Both ski and snowboard boots need attention. Remember, an uncomfortable boot will ruin your day/season faster than anything else. Pay attention to the condition of your boots. NEVER just buy any boot off the shelf or be satisfied with “hand-me-downs” or “yard sale” bargain boots. Go to reputable shop if you need repairs or a new pair. This where you will want to spend the extra money. Get a good fitting boot.. Not comfortable.
Skis and snowboards need to be tuned every year by a professional at a shop. To do it right, you should get your skis or board tuned several times throughout the season. Get them waxed, sharpen edges, fix gouges, and get base work if needed. But rhe most important thing is the safety check. Have the tech at the shop do this. It’s cheap and they will double check your DIN settings (the numbers on your bindings based on height, weight and ability. Make sure your bindings will release when needed, not if.
Get your helmets ready. DO NOT GO OUT ON THE HILL WITHOUT A HELMET!! If you have kids, check for correct fit. The helmet should cover the forehead to just above the eyebrows. The helmet should slightly move up and down, but not side to side. Remember, getting a larger helmet so you can put a hat underneath is a bad idea. If you don’t wear a helmet, that’s an even worse idea. Helmets are cheaper than CAT scans and wheelchairs. Enough said.
Finally, when you put the ski racks on your car, remember to give the hinges a quick squirt of WD40 to wart off rust from all the salt and water that accumulated throughout the year.
The above steps are all things you need to get going on right now before ski season begins. If you wait until the first snowfall, there will no doubt be a wait to get your little babies back in time for “first tracks”. Just like in life, you have to start to prepare before the challenge actually appears.
After you finish your checklist, there’s just one more thing – do the snow dance and give an offering to the snow gods. And pray for snow!