When the snow starts falling and the lifts start turning, the last thing you want is to be unprepared. Get ready for the winter season and avoid last-second gear panic with these helpful tips.
Gear Prep
Months of storage can make things disappear and degrade. Take the time to check your gear and get it tuned up as needed.
- Gear Check: Go through your snow gear, find what’s missing and what needs to be replaced. Did you lose a sock last season? Balaclava or ski mask missing? Audit your gear bag to ensure you have everything you need to enjoy a day skiing or snowboarding.
- Try Things On: Our bodies change. Along with checking your gear bag, try on your base layers, outerwear, and boots to ensure everything is still fitting properly.
- Waterproof: It’s best to treat your outerwear with a water-repelling treatment each season to maximize its lifespan and waterproofing ability. Nikwax has been a long time favorite.
- Tune Your Gear: Epic seasons start with freshly tuned gear. Don’t be the guy everyone is waiting for on day one because you forgot to wax. DIY it or take it to your local shop, just make sure you get in there early as spots fill up fast in early season.
Car Prep
Make sure your car is in shape for mountain travels and packed with all the parking lot essentials.
- Snow Tires / Traction Devices: Get the proper traction devices for your climate before the snow starts falling. Don’t get stuck waiting for backordered tires or chains.
- Maintenance: When’s the last time you checked your brakes, changed your wipers, or had a tune up? Get ahead of any car issues before you spend all your money on lift tickets.
- Antifreeze Wiper Fluid: Add antifreeze wiper fluid to your tanks to keep the windshield from freezing over.
- New Wipers: Ever drive through a blizzard with crappy wipers? Not being able to see while driving is not fun. Avoid sketchy road travel with some new wipers.
- Chairs / Tables / Cooler: Parking lot lunches are way better when you have a comfortable place to sit and stay organized. Plus, your legs will appreciate a little rest. Pro tip, use your cooler as your table.
Body Prep
Get moving, start stretching, and eat right. It’s not rocket science, but it’s easy to overlook.
- Stretch: Your muscles ability to stay limber and lose is the key to riding longer. Focus on limbering up your hamstrings, quads, calves, and core.
- Food: Plan ahead for your days at the resort with lunch and snack plans that are dense in nutrition. Some of our favorites are peanut butter banana sandwiches, mixed nuts, and protein bars (and bacon).
- Fitness: Start working simple exercises into your daily routine to get your legs and core ready to ride. Wall sits, squat jumps, lunges, side lunges, and jumping jacks are all you need to get in shape. No equipment required.
- Mindset: Lift tickets, gas, time… It’s all expensive and puts pressure on all of us to maximize our day on the slopes. Consider this just a simple reminder to stay calm and respectful out there. Keep your expectations within reason. Will there be crowds? Most likely, yes. Plan for patience.
Although we can’t guarantee it, we sure hope these tips help you have the best season so far. If you have any helpful tips please let us know in the comments below. If you have any questions on gear, chat with our in-house experts or email us at support@blackstrap.com.
