Need New Ski Gear? Tips for Knowing When It's Time

skis junior — **Even though it’s still summer, it’s not too early to see who needs new skis!**

A wise friend once said, “The days stretch on forever, but the seasons fly by.”

She was talking about raising teenagers, but her comment makes me think of summer. No season flies by more quickly.

One day you’re at the beach and the next day the kids are in school.

One day you’re summiting a 14’er and the next day you’re digging out your ski gear, evaluating what still works and what needs to be replaced.

So, just in time for summer ski gear sales, here are some tips to help you figure out if it’s time to invest in new stuff.

Safety First

Helmets: Do you know how old your helmet (or your child’s helmet) is? If not, it’s time for a new one.

Helmets have a life of about 3-5 years, because the foam and plastics in helmets deteriorate over time. No matter if you only ski a few times each winter, or a few times each week during the winter, it’s important to update your helmet, especially if you have fallen hard or your helmet has taken any heavy impact.

ski patrol rescue — **If you fall hard on your head, it’s time for a new helmet.**

If you know your helmet is more than five years old, it’s time to go shopping.

Even more important, if you’re looking at your child’s helmet, make sure it fits. If your child is less than 12 years old, there’s a good chance he or she has grown over the summer.

Goggles: With a new helmet, often come new goggles.

Not all goggles work with every helmet. Ideally, the top of the goggles will align with the bottom of the helmet and there will be no gap. Good fitting goggles are designed to maximize ventilation and enhance your line of sight, all without the dreaded “gaper gap.”

helmets and goggles — **Three different faces. Three different helmets. Three different goggles. Not a gap amongst them.**

You may also want to consider replacing goggles if you had trouble with fogging last season, the lenses are scratched or if the elastic in the band and/or the foam around the eyes is degraded.

salomon ski demo — **While it’s fun to save money buying skis in summer, it’s more fun to demo skis come winter. These: Salomons at Alta.**

Skis, Boots and Bindings

Skis and Bindings: Like helmets, skis and bindings also deteriorate with time, and updating them can be just as important for your safety.

Plus, BONUS! It’s fun to get new boards.

All skis will break down over time and with use.

A good rule of thumb is to consider new skis (or a snowboard) after 80-100 days of use. For some, this is one season. For others, it could be 10 years.

Changes in technology, your ability and, if you’re a kid, growth, will also dictate whether you need new boards.

In some cases, you may not have a choice about replacing your bindings. All bindings reach a point of no return, not because they don’t work but because all ski shops have a list of currently approved bindings. If your set isn’t on it, the shop can refuse to work on your skis.

cubco bindings — **While these Cubco bindings were great in their time, they clearly belong on a wall, not on the snow.**

Why? Because old bindings are considered unindemnifiable. That’s an insurance term that protects ski shops and techs from being sued if your aged bindings fail to release and you break your leg.

Boots: Boots, too, have a definite shelf life. Many boots “pack out” after 50 or 60 days of use, becoming looser and losing the tight performance fit that helps you turn efficiently.

ski boots — **Feet grow and so should boots. Plus, if they used to be snug and now they’re loose, you may want some new ones!**

You should also consider new boots if you can’t get your old ones dry or if they’ve gotten really stinky. Using a boot dryer after every outing will prolong the life of your boots, but at some point, if you’ve got sweaty feet, it’s better to start anew.