How to Clean and Store Your Snowboarding Gear for the Off-Season

Hey there, fellow snow slayer. The sun’s hanging around a little longer, the slush is giving way to dirt, and that bittersweet feeling is setting in—it’s time to pack up the snowboard gear for the season. It’s a ritual as important as your first chairlift ride of the year. Do it right, and your gear will be ready to perform season after season, preserving those memories and saving you money.

Think of it not as a chore, but as the final, respectful run of the year for your equipment. Here’s my step-by-step guide to cleaning and storing your snowboarding gear, so it’s as fresh and stoked as you are when next winter rolls around.

Step 1: The Deep Clean — Sweat, Salt, and Grime Be Gone

Your gear has been through a lot: body sweat, melted snow salts, snack bar hot chocolate spills, and parking lot dirt. Let’s show it some love.

• The Snowboard Itself:
  • Detune the Edges (Carefully): Run a gummy stone lightly along your edges to remove any burrs or rust spots that formed during late-season riding. This prevents the edges from cutting into your bag or other gear in storage. Do not aggressively sharpen them now—wait until pre-season tuning.
  • Base & Top Sheet Clean: Use a dedicated base cleaner or a mild, wax-free soap and warm water. Gently scrub the base to remove dirt and old wax residue, and wipe down the top sheet. Avoid harsh chemicals. Rinse with clean water and let it air dry completely—standing upright is best.
• Boots are Critical:
  • Liners Out! Remove the liners. This is non-negotiable.
  • Wash Liners: If they’re machine washable (check the tag), use a gentle cycle with a tech wash or mild detergent. Air dry them completely—never use direct heat. For non-machine washable liners, use a boot dryer or simply let them air out for several days.
  • Shell & Buckles: Wipe down the inside of the shell and all buckles with a damp cloth. Check buckle function and clear any ice or grit from mechanisms.
• Bindings:
  • Use a soft brush or damp cloth to remove all dirt and salt from the baseplate, straps, and highbacks. Check straps for fraying and ensure all screws are snug (but don’t over-tighten). Let them dry fully.
• Outerwear (Jacket & Pants):
  • Always follow the care label. Most technical shells can be machine washed on gentle with a tech wash. This is crucial—it strips away body oils and dirt that destroy the durable water repellent (DWR) coating without harming the waterproof membrane.
  • Re-activate the DWR: After washing, tumble dry on low heat. The heat helps re-activate the DWR finish. If water still soaks in (doesn’t bead up), it’s time for a re-treatment spray-in-wash-in.

Step 2: The Protective Treatment — Preserving Performance

Cleaning is half the battle. Now we protect.

• Wax Your Board for Storage: This is the most important step for your board. Apply a thick, all-temperature storage wax to the base. Do not scrape it off. This layer will saturate the base material and prevent it from drying out and oxidizing over the summer months. It’s like lip balm for your board.
• Waterproofing Refresh: As mentioned, if your outerwear’s DWR is failing, now is the time to apply a wash-in or spray-on reproofer. Starting the season with gear that beads water is a game-changer.

Step 3: The Strategic Storage — A Safe Summer Home

Where and how you store gear is everything. You want a cool, dry, and consistent environment.

• The Board:
  • Keep it with the storage wax on.
  • Store it flat, base down, or upright in a corner. Never store it leaning on its nose or tail for months, as this can warp the camber profile.
  • Use a breathable storage bag or a simple cloth sack to keep dust off. Avoid airtight plastic bags, as they can trap moisture.
• Boots & Bindings:
  • Store boots unbuckled and with liners out. This allows the entire boot to fully air out and retain its shape. Stuff them loosely with newspaper to help absorb any residual moisture and maintain form.
  • Bindings can be left on the board or stored separately in a box. Loosen the straps to relieve tension.
• Outerwear & Layers:
  • Hang your jacket and pants on wide, padded hangers in a closet. Never store them crumpled in a stuff sack for months, as this can permanently crease and damage the membranes and coatings.
  • Wash and dry all base layers and mid-layers before storing them in a drawer or bin.

Step 4: The Pre-Season Check (A Quick Note for Future You)

Before you seal that storage tub, do two things:

1. Take Inventory: Note any items that need replacement—worn-out gloves, a cracked goggle lens, thin socks. This gives you time to shop sales over the summer.
2. Set a Reminder: In your phone, for early fall, set a reminder: "Scrape storage wax & tune board." That’s your future self’s first gift of the new season.

At Wildhorn Outfitters, we believe gear is the enabler of shared experiences. Taking an afternoon to properly care for it is an act of gratitude—for the lines you’ve ridden, the faceshots you’ve taken, and the friends you’ve laughed with on the lift. It’s about respecting the tools that help you connect with each other outside. Well-maintained, enduring gear means more seasons of discovery, less waste, and more time doing what you love.

Now, get that gear squared away, and let’s start dreaming of fresh tracks. The mountains will be waiting.