Ski and Snowboard Gear Checklist for the New Season

The first cold snap is the best time to pull your gear out of the garage, not the night before your first trip. This checklist covers what to inspect, what to replace and what to leave to a certified shop, whether you ski or snowboard.

Skis and snowboards: base, edges and wax

Lay your skis or board base-up in good light and take a close look.

• Storage wax. If a thick coat of wax went on at the end of last season, it needs to be scraped and brushed off before you ride.
• Base damage. Light scratches are normal. A deep gouge that cuts through the base material and shows the core underneath, often called a core shot, lets moisture in and should be repaired by a shop.
• Edges. Carefully feel along each edge for burrs, nicks and rust. Small burrs can be smoothed with a deburring stone. Rusty, dull or cracked edges call for a tune.
• Top and sidewalls. Look for cracks or spots where the layers seem to be separating. Those are questions for a technician, not a home fix.

If you skipped a tune last spring, start the season with one: sharpened edges, a clean base and fresh wax. After that, re-wax every few days on snow, or sooner if the base starts to look dry. If it’s time to replace rather than repair, browse our skiing gear or snowboarding gear.

Bindings and boots: leave the settings to a certified shop

Alpine ski bindings are designed to release your boot when the forces in a fall get high enough. How easily they let go is set by a number many skiers call the “DIN” setting. Ski shops follow an international standard, ISO 11088, that uses your weight, height, age, boot sole length and skier type to choose that value. They then test the release on calibrated equipment. No setting can prevent every injury.

Online DIN charts are no substitute for a certified technician. Have your bindings inspected and tested:

• at the start of each season,
• after a hard crash or any visible damage,
• when you get new boots, and
• when your weight, ability or style of skiing has changed a lot.

Bring your boots along. Worn toe and heel pieces on a boot sole can change how the binding releases, and some soles, such as touring or GripWalk soles, work only with compatible bindings. Also know that shops generally service only bindings that are still on the manufacturer’s supported (“indemnified”) list, so very old bindings may need to be replaced.

At home, check boot buckles, power straps and liners for cracks or broken parts. Snowboarders have a simpler job: snowboard bindings are not designed to release, so there is no release value to set. Instead, make sure the mounting screws are snug and look over straps, ratchets, baseplates and highbacks for cracks. Tighten screws by hand and follow your binding maker’s instructions; some makers warn against power tools and thread-locking products.

Helmets: when to replace yours

A snow helmet absorbs the energy of an impact by crushing its foam liner, and that foam does not bounce back. That leads to two simple rules.

• After a hard hit, replace it, even if the shell looks fine. Damage inside the liner is often invisible.
• Watch the age. Sun, sweat, heat and cold break helmet materials down. Makers commonly suggest replacement after about five years of active use; one major brand says five years of use or ten years from the manufacture date, whichever comes first. Check the date sticker inside.

When you shop, look for a certification label such as ASTM F2040, the common US standard for recreational snow sports helmets. A good fit sits level, feels snug without pressure points and doesn’t rock when you shake your head. Try it on with your goggles to make sure there’s no strip of bare forehead between the frame and the brim. And skip used helmets, since you can’t know what they have been through.

Goggles: choose lenses by the light

Goggle lenses are rated by visible light transmission (VLT), the percentage of light that gets through the lens. A low VLT means a darker lens for bright sun. A high VLT means a lighter lens that helps you see bumps and shadows on cloudy, “flat light” days.

Many goggles come with two lenses, one for sun and one for low light, so you can swap as the weather changes. Photochromic lenses darken and lighten on their own as the light changes. If you wear prescription glasses, choose an over-the-glasses (OTG) model.

To protect the anti-fog coating, don’t wipe the inside of a wet lens, because the coating is easy to damage when it’s wet. Shake off the water, blot gently with a microfiber cloth and let the goggle air-dry. Sun protection matters beyond the slopes, too. According to the World Health Organization, snow can reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation, and UV levels rise about 10% with every 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) of altitude. Keep a pair of sport sunglasses for sunny spring days and the walk from the parking lot, and wear sunscreen.

Layers, socks, gloves and mittens

Dressing for the mountain is about managing sweat as much as cold. The classic three-layer system works for skiers and riders alike:

• Base layer: synthetic fabric or merino wool that moves sweat away from your skin.
• Mid layer: fleece or an insulated jacket that traps warmth. Add or remove it as the temperature changes.
• Shell: a waterproof, windproof jacket and pants that keep snow and wind out.

Leave cotton at home, in every layer. It soaks up moisture and dries slowly, which is how a sweaty morning turns into a cold afternoon. Wear one pair of ski or snowboard socks, not two, so nothing bunches up inside your boots.

Gloves or mittens? Mittens are warmer than gloves made of the same materials because your fingers share heat. Gloves give you more dexterity for buckles, zippers and phones. Split-finger “lobster” mitts sit in between. If your hands run cold, mittens with a thin liner glove inside give you options. A neck gaiter or balaclava finishes the kit.

Rent or buy? A simple plan for beginners

If you are new to the sport, renting skis or a board, boots, poles and a helmet for your first trips is the sensible start. Renting from a local shop can cost less than renting at the resort, and some shops offer season-long rentals. Once you know you’re hooked, buy in roughly this order:

1. Personal items: base layers, socks, gloves or mittens, and goggles. These are about comfort and fit, and you’ll use them every day.
2. A helmet: owning one means you know its fit and its history.
3. Boots: many skiers and riders make boots their first big purchase, because rental boots rarely fit as well as a pair chosen for your feet. A boot fitting at a shop is worth the time.
4. Skis or a snowboard: wait until you know what terrain and riding style you enjoy.

You can compare options across our snowsports gear. If you order clothing or accessories to try at home, try them on indoors and keep the tags and packaging. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days, as explained on our returns page.

Before you head up: the drive and the conditions

Getting to the mountain is part of the gear list. Check your tires and your vehicle’s owner’s manual before winter driving. Our guide to choosing the right winter tire covers what to look for. Check road reports and any chain or traction rules for mountain passes before you leave. A car rack keeps wet skis and boards out of the cabin.

If you plan to leave the ski area boundary, the checklist changes. Backcountry terrain is not controlled for avalanches. Check your regional avalanche forecast, carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, travel with partners who carry the same, and take an avalanche course before you go. Even inside the resort, respect closures and posted warnings.

Your pre-season checklist

• Skis or board inspected, tuned and waxed
• Ski bindings checked and release-tested by a certified shop, with your boots
• Snowboard binding screws, straps and highbacks checked
• Helmet free of impact damage and within its age guidance
• Goggles with a sun lens and a low-light lens
• Base, mid and shell layers, with no cotton
• Ski socks, gloves or mittens, and a neck gaiter
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Vehicle and tires ready for winter roads

Book your shop visit early so your first day of the season can be for riding, not fixing.