If you own a snowboard, you need to know how to store it when you are not riding. Properly storing your board will keep it in good condition during the offseason, while improperly storing it can cause avoidable damage.
I’ve been snowboarding for nearly my entire life, and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way. I know how to store a snowboard properly and have kept many models in great shape over the years.
This post will show you how to store a snowboard. I’ll provide you with some tips to keep your board in great shape when not in use and give you some other helpful information.
Let’s jump in.
Contents
The Importance of Proper Snowboard Storage
Storing your snowboard might not seem like that big of a deal. Some people simply throw the board in the corner of the house or garage and forget about it until the snow starts falling again next winter.
But if you give a little more attention to things than that, you’ll make sure that your board and bindings are in great shape and avoid potential damage caused by inadequate storage.
Boards can fall over and get chipped up if they aren’t properly stored. They can rust or get water damage that can lead to premature aging or other harm that involves costly repairs. And they can warp or delaminate if left in a spot with severely fluctuating temperatures.
If you buy your own equipment, you should approach it like an investment. The better care you take of your snowboard, the better it will hold up over time. This means that you can prolong its effective life simply by storing it properly.
How to Store a Snowboard
If you want to store your snowboard properly, there are a few simple steps to follow. If you run through everything in this section, your board will be safe, secure, and ready for action when the season starts.
Step 1: Take off the Bindings
Many people don’t take this initial step and don’t think it’s necessary. But it’s the best way to keep your board in excellent condition during the offseason.
Unmounting the bindings takes a little effort, but it’s not complicated. You only need a screwdriver or other tool to remove the mounting screws that hold the bindings to the board. Make sure to keep this hardware safe once removed.
Step 2: Clean Everything Up
The next step is to clean both your snowboard and bindings. With the bindings removed, you can reach all the small parts of both pieces of equipment and do a much better job of this than if the bindings are left mounted on the board.
You can use any sort of gentle cleanser to clean your snowboard and bindings. Warm water with a little bit of dish soap works fine, or you can use a standard household spray cleaner as well.
Use a rag or paper towel to clean up every surface of the board and bindings. You want to get rid of any dirt or debris before putting it in storage. Make sure to dry off the board well after cleaning it.
Step 3: Tune-Up Time
This is another step that not everyone does, but it will ensure that your snowboard is in tip-top shape when you want to ride it again and helps promote your equipment’s long-term health and performance.
You can do a quick tune at home if you have all of the necessary equipment. Run an edge tuner along the edges to keep them sharp and remove any burrs. You can also use a regular file if you are familiar with doing so.
Then give your board a fresh coat of wax on the base. You’ll need to melt the wax with an iron and drip it over the entire base. Iron out the wax on the board for an even coating.
But instead of scraping the wax off like you would during the season, leave it on thick to provide an extra layer of protection to prevent the base from drying out.
Step 4: Store the Board
Now it’s time to store the board. Find a location that is relatively cool and dry. You don’t want any moisture or heat to affect the board during storage. A basement or well-ventilated garage or closet can work well.
Make sure that the board is stored in a way that it won’t fall over easily. You can fashion a rack to make this happen or store the board in a snowboard bag to provide added cushion and protection.
Snowboard Storage: Vertical or Horizontal?
It really doesn’t matter if you store your board vertically or horizontally, so long as it’s not going to fall over and is in a cool and dry location. I’ve done both and had good results.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some commonly asked questions about snowboard storage.
Is it OK to store a snowboard upright?
Yes, it is OK to store a snowboard upright. Just make sure that the board is in a safe location where it won’t fall over or experience significant fluctuations in temperature.
Can you store a snowboard with bindings?
You can store a snowboard with bindings, but that’s not the ideal way to do it. Removing the bindings will enable you to clean the board and bindings properly.
Is storage wax necessary?
Storage wax is a very good idea, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Wax will give you increased protection from drying out.
Final Thoughts
Storing your snowboard correctly is essential for keeping your board in good shape year after year. If you follow the steps shown here, you can ensure your board is protected and secure when not in use.
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