A Quick and Useful Guide for Storing Your Winter Sports Gear in Colorado Springs, CO

The winter wonderland season is in full swing right now in Colorado Springs. Sledding, ice skating and other winter sports are routinely practiced in Little London. This isn’t surprising given the breathtaking scenery and the mild weather the area tends to get. After a full day of winter fun, you have to think about how you’re going to store all your outdoor gear. Here’s a quick guide to help you ease your mind on this issue, offering a few storage tips for the following types of sports equipment:

1. Skis

When you get back home to Colorado Springs from a ski trip, you need to think about how to store your skis until the next weekend’s skiing session. You might be tempted to use the ski bag, which is great for lugging them around but refrain from storing them in it. You need to make sure you keep your skis away from moisture, and ski bags provide a proper environment for condensation.

You can store skis in your garage – designate a special spot for them and make sure they sit upright. Or, if you want to make sure they are safe from other items squashing them (in case someone deposits something over them), you can always use a wall mount to display them and keep them safe.

Off-Season Care and Storage

It might still be winter and the skiing is still in full swing, but you also need to think ahead. You will need a brand new plan for putting your skis away for a whole few months. Fix any core shots, sharpen edges and wax your skis to prepare them for summer storage. You can also take your skis to a local maintenance ski shop and have the professionals do this work for you.

As far as storage goes, you will need to keep them in a dry, cool place. It could be your garage or a cool storage room, but there’s always the potential for high humidity, which can damage your skis. Putting your skis in storage is the safest best. You can easily find a storage unit in Colorado Springs to meet your storage needs. Depending on the size of your skis, you might need at least a 5×10 unit. If you have larger skis, you need to go even bigger, with a 10×10 storage unit. Plus, you can always bring other items to store since this is a much roomier storage unit. Always keep skis sitting upright to avoid them getting damaged by the weight of other items.

2. Ski suits

Keeping your ski suite in good shape is quite simple. Thoroughly dry it after each skiing trip – tumble drying is the best option for skiing suits and other winter gear in general. Of course, this option is viable only if you have room for your skiing suit in your dryer. You should also wash it before drying it.

Off-Season Care and Storage

As you get ready to store your ski suit, give it one more wash and apply DWP (durable water-repellency) – a treatment that helps it maintain its waterproof properties. Make sure to allow your winter garments room to breathe. Hang it up instead of keeping it in a clothing bag, as you might be inclined to do. If your home doesn’t have a climate-controlled space, you’re better off having your ski suits join the skis in a storage unit.

3. Snowboards

Skiing might still be king in Colorado, but there are so many winter sports you can practice in the Colorado Springs area, snowboarding included. Once you finish your fun for the day, it’s time to think of a place to store until you hit the slopes again. Get a snowboard rack or install a floating shelf in your garage to keep your snowboard dry and safe from damage in your garage. Garage doors are unlikely to be fitted with extra door gates and video surveillance unless it’s a commercial property, so if your equipment is expensive, you may be better off keeping it secure in storage.

Off-Season Care and Storage

The process of prepping your snowboard for summer storage is similar to the care you give your skis, but there are a few differences. To clean it, take the bindings off, wipe the board with a wet cloth and wash it if there’s any grime buildup. Put the bindings back but relieve the tension on the bolts before storing it. To finish it off, add a coat of wax on the base. Use a specialty file to help prevent rusty edges – this tool will help clean up and sharpen the snowboard’s edges without ruining it. If your home has extra storage capabilities that also provide a climate-controlled environment, you can keep the snowboard at home. If you don’t have an extra nook for it, you can always use self storage to keep it safe and dry.

4. Snowmobiles

Snowmobiling near Colorado Springs can be quite a thrilling experience, and if you’re a die-hard fan, you might just have one in your possession. But what do you do with it when you get back home? It is definitely a large piece of sports equipment that you still need to keep dry. If your garage isn’t large enough to fit it, you can always put it in storage both during winter and the off-season.

5. Ski, Snowboard and Snowmobile Boots

It’s essential that you dry the liners from your boots that you use either for skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling. To prevent your boots from losing their shape, you should also always buckle them. To keep them in the same place, you can place a shoe organizer in your garage to store them. This way, you know where they are, and your ski shoes won’t scratch up the walls. For the warm season, you can turn to storage to keep them dry and undamaged while making room for other seasonal items you can use.

6. Ice skates, Hockey Sticks and Snowshoes

Ice skating is such a fun winter pastime, but when you get home you need to be careful about storing them. They should never be stored on the ground because they can become a tripping hazard. You can use hooks to store your ice skates to keep them locked in place. The same goes for your hockey sticks and snowshoes.

Just as an extra safety measure, put guards on the skates’ blades to preserve them, as any surface except ice or carpet is unfriendly to them. When winter is over, you can store them in a cool, dry place in your home or you can take them to your storage unit if you don’t have the room at home.

Before you head out for your next winter adventure, remember to dress in layers, wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water and stay safe.