When Your Ski Season Wraps Up Take These Steps

Many resorts in the northern hemisphere have concluded their '25-'26 ski season. Whenever you take your final laps for your season, do you end abruptly and shove your gear in storage without a thought?

Take some time to now to set yourself up for a good start next season. From gear, to garb to your skiing progress and fitness, it's time to take a few notes. You'll thank yourself later.

Season-End Steps for Your Ski Gear and Layers

Apparel

First, review your ski layers and outerwear. What were you missing this year? What got a bit worn that needs replacing? Perhaps you need more ski socks, a base layer of a different weight, your gloves just aren't waterproof anymore, or your ski pants are snug. Five months from now you might not remember. Write it down and be ready to shop after season clearance, or go into Fall with a clear plan. Next, look over your gear.

Skis

If you're planning to run your skis another season, consider giving them a tune-up now. Chances are you skied over a few rocks or roots this year and have some scratches to fill with P-Tex. Get the skis waxed and put a nice sharp edge on them. This will set you up for a great first day next season. Sure, you can wait until next season. I did that last year. I paid for a ski tuning and handed over my boards, then learned the shop was so busy I wouldn't be getting my skis back for a few weeks. Did I need them immediately? No. But it did give me anxiety to part with them for so long. What if it started to snow and I was without them? Tune them now while shops are less booked up. If you aren't going to tune them, at least make sure they are clean, dry and free of rust. Take off any rust with a gummy stone.

Upgrading your skis next year? Then take notes on what you liked or didn't about your skis. What type of terrain and conditions did they work well on? Were there conditions where you found them chattery, grippy, tough to power through, quick or slow to turn, etc. Your notes now will help you with the purchase process for new skis later.

Helmet

When should your helmet be replaced? We asked a couple leading helmet manufacturers and AI when it's time. Here's a consolidated list from their replies.

• After 5 seasons of use.
• If it has been sitting on a shelf unused, replace within 10 seasons.
• If there's any visible damage, dents, frayed straps, etc.
• After an impact, even if damage is not visible.
• If it no longer fits securely.

If you have questions about your helmet, take it in to a local ski shop.

Boots

Make sure boots are dry and aired out. Think about where you are going to store them. Basements and garages can be places little critters infiltrate and to them a padded liner is a cozy place to make a nest. Need I say more?

After you've gone through all your ski stuff, stored it nicely and made a next season shopping list, turn your focus to your personal skiing.

Take Year-End Notes About Your Skiing

How did you ski this season? Was there something you were working on? Did you receive some advice or make a change that made a difference in your skiing? Was there any terrain or condition or situation that you weren't happy with your skiing left unresolved?

Downhill skiing is a sport where you can always learn more and always improve. Yes, the basics of it comes back to you every year much like riding a bike. But much like golf, you can also forget a key learning for a bit and create a setback. I keep a set of notes on my phone. Days when I am not at skiing my best, I can pull my list out on the chairlift and remember those little things that improved my skiing.

Set Off-Season Goals

There are a lot of things you can work on over the summer to start next season off right.

Do you want start the season off in better shape, or with better balance?

Would you like to work with a boot fitter to improve your fit?

Perhaps you'd like to plan your trips earlier, for cost-savings or coordination with friends, or any range of reasons.

Is there a special clinic or camp you'd like to be notified when it opens for registration?

Is there an injury or a mental block you're working to bounce back from?

Do you have a ski home you'd like to make some renovations to?

Are you going to ski the southern hemisphere over the summer? If so, most northern hemisphere skiers are going to be quite jealous.

Set summer goals. They say writing down your goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by over 40%. You've got months to go and no excuses right now. Go make them happen. Start next year ready to make it your best year.