Before storing your snowboard, it's important to know how to store your gear properly. Proper storage will help preserve the shape of your snowboard and prevent camber and rocker from flattening out. Store your snowboard upright on its tail, and avoid laying it down on a flat surface.
Proper Storage of Skis and Snowboards
Proper storage of skis and snowboards is essential if you are planning to use them again in the future. These items are expensive and temperamental, so you must do your best to preserve them for future use. Before storing your skis or snowboard, you should wash and dry them, removing their liner. Clean them with water and avoid using detergents, which may damage binding lubricant. Instead, use a citrus solvent to clean the base.
Proper storage is also necessary to protect your skis from the elements. You should store them in a temperature-controlled place and keep them away from direct sunlight. You should also take the time to clean and wax your skis before winter begins.
Keeping Camber
Keeping camber is important when snowboarding, and it will prevent your board from delaminating on hard surfaces. The best way to do this is by bending your knees. This will allow you to absorb the contours of the snow and maintain control while turning. It will also help you prevent a slip when you're riding steep slopes.
Camber is a good shape for most snowboards, but there are other styles as well. Reverse camber, for example, is a design that raises the center of the board off the ground. Although this shape can help you float on soft snow, it can limit your control if conditions are variable. Hybrid camber, on the other hand, uses rocker at the nose and tail of the board to make it more versatile.
Keeping Bindings Upright
The first step in maintaining proper snowboarding technique is to ensure that your bindings are properly positioned. If the bindings are positioned too far to the right or too far to the left, you will have difficulty maintaining control of your snowboard. Your feet will also drag on the snow, which can lead to falls. To prevent this problem, make sure that the size of your boot corresponds to the size of your bindings. Check out our article about setting up snowboard bindings.
The bindings come in different sizes, so choose one that feels comfortable. You should find one that is slightly wider than your shoulders. When adjusting the width, measure your kneecap to heel to determine the proper width. Once you've found the correct size, mount your bindings in a reference stance. The hardware package includes screws and washers for securing the bindings. Once you have them mounted, you can start dialing in the angle of your snowboard.
Keeping Skis and Snowboards Sharp
Keeping skis and snowboards sharp is a must for safety on icy slopes. You can use a handfile to make small bevels at the bottom of the skis. However, this method is not as precise as using a proper edge sharpening tool.
A sharp ski or snowboard edge will be much easier to control and grip the surface. It will also enhance speed control. A sharp edge also makes skis and snowboards more responsive when riding. If you are racing, it can also deliver greater glide speed. Sharp edges are not only more durable but are also more effective on groomed and icy surfaces.
Deburring is another way to keep skis and snowboards sharp. The process of deburring eliminates rough burrs and keeps the edges smooth and free of nicks and raggedness. It is similar to brushing your teeth. Deburring can be done on new skis or snowboards. It is a good idea to do this at the tail and tip of the board.
Preparing for Summer Storage
Whether you are storing your snowboard for the summer or storing your skis for the winter, you need to take care of your gear properly. Before storing your equipment, you need to clean the edges and remove surface rust. Scrubbing pads can help you get rid of surface rust. You can also use fabric softener if you like. If you're still not sure what's a proper way to store snowboard gear, read more from us.
Loosening the binding screws is also a good idea. This will help keep the springs in better shape and reduce wear on the binding inserts and base.