Equipment check: How to get your kit ready for winter

Autumn is the perfect time to check your skis, bindings and safety equipment. Here’s what should be on your maintenance list now.

Take action now, stay safe on the slopes later

Even though the warm temperatures give no hint of it yet, the first snowfalls in the higher elevations won’t be long in coming. Whilst many ski tourers are already building up their fitness for the coming season, one crucial aspect is often overlooked: a thorough check of their equipment. Anyone who wants to be out enjoying the first powder snow in November should take action now. After all, faulty bindings, blunt edges or outdated avalanche transceivers can not only spoil the enjoyment of a tour in an emergency, but can also be dangerous.

Focus on ski bindings

The centrepiece of any ski touring kit deserves special attention. Ideally ski bindings should be checked by a specialist retailer once a year. During this check, the release settings are inspected and readjusted. This check is essential, particularly after demanding seasons or falls. The mechanics of pin bindings must also be checked for wear and tear. Small cracks or bent pins can significantly impair their function. Anyone who maintains their own bindings should at least clean the moving parts and treat them with special binding grease.

Skis and Edges: Sharpening for the Downhill Run

Dull edges and dried-out bases are not uncommon after the summer break. A professional ski service will get the base back into shape. This involves repairing scratches, waxing the base and sharpening the edges. If you want to do it yourself, you’ll need the right tools as well as a bit of practice. Important: The edge angle should be suited to your preferred type of terrain. A sharper edge is best for on-piste skiing, whilst in deep snow the edges can be slightly blunter. The top of the ski also deserves a check. Cracks or delamination should be repaired immediately before moisture penetrates and causes further damage.

Skins: Do they still stick?

Climbing skins lose their adhesive strength over time. Before the season starts, you should check whether they still stick reliably. Dirty skins can be cleaned with lukewarm water and special skin cleaners. If the adhesive layer is damaged, it can be replaced. Many manufacturers offer re-adhesive kits. You should also check the shape of the skins. Frayed edges or damaged fastening systems impair their function. Store your skins in a cool, dry place over the summer, ideally with the adhesive surfaces facing each other.

Avalanche transceiver: A functional check is essential

Your avalanche transceiver is your lifeline when out in the mountains. Update the software on your avalanche transceiver before each season. Many manufacturers offer free updates that improve search functions or fix bugs. Regardless of this, you should take the device to a specialist retailer every one to two years to have the electronics and sensors professionally checked. This interval should be shortened if the device is used intensively. Many manufacturers also recommend replacing devices that are more than ten years old. Technical innovations and improved search functions make modern avalanche transceivers significantly more efficient. Check the batteries as well. Use only high-quality alkaline batteries or the rechargeable batteries recommended by the manufacturer. A self-test before every tour is a given, but it does not replace the annual professional inspection.

Don’t forget your probe and shovel

Your avalanche probe and shovel also need checking. Check that the probe slides out smoothly and that all the sections lock firmly into place. Corroded joints should be cleaned and, if necessary, treated with silicone spray. The shovel must be sturdy and must not have any cracks in the blade or handle. Tighten any loose screw connections. Both items of equipment should be stowed within easy reach in your rucksack so that you don’t lose valuable time in an emergency.

Check your clothing and rucksack

Functional clothing loses its water-repellent properties through frequent washing. Reapplying a water-repellent spray or using a wash-in water-repellent treatment will restore its weather protection. Check zips, seams and Velcro fastenings for damage. Your touring rucksack also deserves a check: are all the buckles intact? Is the back ventilation working properly? Is the hydration system still leak-proof? You can often carry out minor repairs yourself; for more serious damage, there are specialist repair services.

Start the season well prepared

If you service your kit thoroughly now, you’ll be able to start the ski touring season with peace of mind. Checking your kit isn’t a chore, but an investment in safety and enjoyment on the slopes. Allow plenty of time, as service workshops are often fully booked in late autumn. That way, nothing will stand in the way of your first turns in the fresh snow.