As the temperatures get cooler and the first snow begins to fly, we know the ski season is upon us and that means it is time to begin thinking about getting both your mind, body and gear prepared for the ski season. Being physically ready for those first lift rides is important to avoiding early season injury and to ensuring a full season on the hill. Just as important, is having your equipment safety checked, prepped, and ready to go. Unfortunately, for some people the concept of preseason ski preparation is not always super clear. This blog entry will highlight a few tips and techniques to be sure that both you and your gear is ready for the 2020 ski season.
Prepare Your Body
Getting your body ready for ski season sounds daunting, but can be done easily without fancy equipment or gym memberships, but rather from your living room, garage, or outside on a warm fall day. The main parts of the body that athletes focus on for preseason prep are the core, legs, and glutes as well as cardio. Simple activities such as lunges, crunches, and squats can make a world of difference in making sure you are ready to knock out those first few groomers at Vail. If this still sounds unfamiliar to you don’t worry, we’ve added a link from some RedBull athletes including Vail’s own hero Lindsey Vonn that explain exactly how to be ready to hit the hill!
Prepare Your Gear
Just as important to being physically ready to ski is making sure your equipment is ready as well. Properly maintained equipment can help to minimize the chances of early season injury, and help to get you confidence back faster. At Vista Bahn Ski Rentals we recommend that our customers get their skis summarized at the end of the season; cleaning up the edges and applying a thick coating of storage wax which stays on over the course of the summer. The wax coats the bases ensuring that they don’t dry out, as well as protecting the edges from rust due to exposure to moisture. Turning down the DIN setting on bindings can ensure no damage is done to the tension spring in the binding during storage, and storing ski boots in the buckled position that you use to ski in helps them retain their shape and mold specific to your foot; ensuring a tight fit and more control.
Whether you have taken these measures or not, before skiing we recommend that you stop by Vista Bahn Ski Rentals for a safety check. Waxing skis, potentially removing storage wax, and cleaning up the edges allows for smoother gliding, and ensures edge hold which is especially important on early season manmade snow. Checking the bindings for boot binding interface as well as a torque test is the last step to make sure you are ready to get back on the hill safely!
You’re Ready For The Season!
As the days get shorter and colder there is still time to do your preseason ski preparations; a few small steps for your equipment, and exercises as often as possible and you are ready for action! Don’t forget to call or email Vista Bahn Ski Rentals with any questions, or if you need some input on new equipment; look after your gear and yourself and we’ll see you soon!
Written By: Barclay Rabin
