Protect Your Investment – Off-Season Gear Maintenance

As the days grow longer and the snow retreats, it's time to swap snow boots for sandals. But before you dive into summer adventures, let's talk about the proper maintenance and storage of your snow gear. Maintaining your avalanche gear, snowmobile gadgets, and outerwear isn't just about neat closets—it's about being adventure-ready when the snowflakes return. So grab a cool beverage, roll up your sleeves, and let's give that gear the spa treatment it deserves this summer.

General Tips

• Store in a Controlled Environment: Store all gear in a cool, dry place. Avoid areas like basements or attics where temperature and humidity can fluctuate drastically.
• Remove Any Batteries: Remove batteries to prevent corrosion and degradation. For rechargeable batteries, store them at a 40–60% charge.
• Clean: Remove dirt, grime, and moisture from your gear. Wash your gear according to manufacturer recommendations and remove any corrosion from battery terminals.
• Inspect: Before stowing, check your gear for damage, such as rips and tears or issues with electronic functionality. If applicable, update your software.
• Routine Checks: Periodically check your gear throughout the off-season to ensure it's in good condition. Look for signs of damage or issues like pest infestations.

Avalanche Safety Gear

Avalanche gear, such as beacons, probes, shovels, and airbags, is relied upon in extreme circumstances and emergencies. Their vitality makes careful care paramount.

Beacons

• Battery: Remove batteries to prevent leakage and corrosion.
• Storage: Store your beacon in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight.
• Testing:Before you store your beacon, why not give it a little workout? Conduct a test run to ensure it's in top shape. And remember, when you take it out of storage, give it another quick test to ensure it's still functioning correctly.

Shovels & Probes

• Cleaning: Clean off any dirt or moisture. Dry thoroughly.
• Inspection: Check for any signs of damage or wear.
• Storage: Store in a dry, mild-temperature environment to prevent rust and degradation.

Airbag Backpacks & Vests

• Trigger Test: Pull your trigger and safely deploy your airbag to ensure that everything functions smoothly.
• Battery Care: As with your other gadgets, these packs need their batteries removed. Store the battery in a cool, dry place and keep it charged to a healthy level (usually around 40–60%).
• Software Update: Before you store the pack, check for firmware updates. Keeping the software up to date ensures that your pack performs optimally when needed.
• Canister Check: Remove the canister to prevent leaks or corrosion. Weigh it to ensure it meets the required specifications.
• Storage: Keep your pack out of direct sunlight and in a dry place. Avoid hanging it up; instead, loosely pack it to preserve the integrity of the airbag system.
• Inspection: Give the entire pack a once-over—check for tears, wear, and seam stress.

Snowmobile Electronics / Heated Gear

Your gadgets are more than just fancy add-ons or extra heat; they're your trail buddies. Here's how to keep them in tip-top shape until the snow calls again.

• Battery Care: Remove the batteries. Store them in a cool, dry spot and maintain a comfortable charge of around 50%.
• Cleaning: Clean all contacts and ports and remove any dirt, corrosion, or additional grim and buildup.
• Software Update: Before you put everything away, check for updates. Updated software means fewer glitches when you're ready to throttle into next season.

Outerwear

Proper care of your jackets, pants, gloves, and other outerwear will ensure they remain waterproof, insulated, and comfortable for next season.

Cleaning

• Wash According to Instructions: Clean your garments according to the manufacturer's instructions to remove salt, dirt, and oils.
• Reproofing: After cleaning, apply a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) spray to maintain water resistance.

Storage

• Dry Completely: Ensure all items are bone-dry to prevent mold and mildew.
• Hang or Fold Properly: Store jackets and pants on hangers to maintain shape or fold neatly without compressing insulation.

Conclusion

Investing time and effort in off-season maintenance of your winter gear can save you money, extend the life of your equipment, and ensure you're ready to hit the ground running next winter. By following these detailed guidelines, your gear will be preserved in top condition, safeguarding your outdoor adventures for many seasons to come.