The slush is freezing over, the lifts have stopped spinning, and the harsh reality of spring is setting in. The season is over. We know, it hurts.
But before you toss your trusty deck into the darkest corner of your garage and forget it until November, take a breath. Your snowboard took good care of you through icy mornings, deep powder days, and heavy park sessions. Now it’s your turn to take care of it.
Improper summer storage is the main cause of dried-out bases, warped cores, and rusted edges. Taking 30 minutes to properly "summer-ize" your board will guarantee it’s fast, fresh, and ready to rip on opening day. Here is the official Blauer Board Shop guide to putting your snowboard into hibernation.
1. The Deep Clean
Throughout the season, your board picks up an invisible layer of dirt, grease from lift wheels, and grime from the snow. Waxing over that just bakes the dirt into your base.
- Wipe it down: Use a damp rag to clean the top sheet and base.
- Base Cleaner: Grab a citrus-based snowboard base cleaner and a clean rag. Wipe down the entire base to remove old grime and leftover wax.
- Dry it out: Let the board sit inside at room temperature for at least an hour to ensure it is completely dry. Trapped moisture is the enemy of steel edges.
2. Edge Care (No More Rust)
Take a close look at your edges. Notice any burrs or rust spots? Now is the time to tackle them.
- Take a gummy stone or an edge file and gently work out any burrs or rock dings you picked up during spring riding.
- If you leave surface rust on your edges all summer, it will eat deeper into the metal. Buff it out now to keep your edges sharp and structurally sound.
3. The "Summer Wax" (Thick is Better!)
This is the most crucial step. Snowboard bases act like sponges; if they sit for six months without wax, they dry out, oxidize, and turn white and chalky.
- Iron it on heavy: Grab a universal or warm-temp wax and your waxing iron. Apply a layer of wax significantly thicker than your normal mid-season wax job.
- Cover the edges: Let the hot wax drip and run entirely over the metal edges. This creates an airtight seal that completely prevents summer humidity from causing rust.
- DO NOT SCRAPE IT! Step away from the scraper. Leave that thick, messy layer of wax on your board all summer. You will scrape it off the night before your first day back on the mountain next winter.
4. Loosen Your Bindings
Your bindings are clamped hard onto your board, creating constant tension on the inserts and wood core.
- Back the screws out: You don't have to take your bindings completely off, but you must loosen the screws. Turn them a few times counter-clockwise until the binding is loose and wobbly.
- Why do this? Changes in temperature and humidity during summer cause the wood core of your board to expand and contract. If the bindings are fully tightened, it can cause "dimpling" on your base or warp the board's camber profile over time.
- Pro Tip: Take a quick picture of your binding angles and stance width before you loosen them, so you know exactly where to set them next season!
5. Find the Right Resting Place
Location is everything. Your snowboard hates extreme heat, cold, and dampness.
- Avoid the attic and shed: Attics turn into ovens in July, which can delaminate your board. Damp basements or outdoor sheds breed rust.
- Under the bed or in a closet: The ideal storage spot is a cool, dry, climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
- Store it naturally: Slide it flat under your bed or stand it straight in a closet. Don't lean it against a wall with heavy pressure on the center, as this can flatten its natural camber.
See You Next Winter!
Taking the time to summarize your board is a labor of love but pays off massively when the snow starts falling again.
Need supplies? Swing by Blauer Board Shop! We are fully stocked with citrus cleaner, gummy stones, and bulk summer wax blocks. And hey, if you just don't want to deal with the mess, bring your deck in. Our techs will happily do a full summer tune-up and prep for you.
Have a great summer, stay active, and we'll see you on the hill next season!