Most of the damage we see in November did not happen on snow. It happened over the summer, in a damp basement, to gear that was put away straight off the last run.
The edges are the problem
Snow at a resort carries salt and minerals. Stored wet, the edges rust — not as a surface film but as pits that later need grinding out. The metal that comes off does not come back.
- Dry the edges and base completely after the last run of the season.
- Put on a thick coat of storage wax and do not scrape it off — that layer is the protection.
- Store somewhere dry at a stable temperature. A basement that gets humid in summer is the worst option.
- Do not strap them tightly together under pressure, and keep weight off them.
Bindings
On skis, wind the DIN setting down to its lowest value for storage. A spring held at a high setting all summer loses some of its character, which means less predictable release next season. For snowboard bindings, simply loosen the straps.