Indoor Ski Centers: How to Prepare Your Ski Gear for the Upcoming Season

by | Sep 1, 2024 | News | 0 comments

sharpening skis
With the new winter sports season just around the corner, ski enthusiasts are eagerly gearing up for their annual ski holidays. While they are waxing their skies in the garage, the preparations for indoor ski centers are a bit different. From understanding the structure and shape of your gear to grinding options, we’re here to guide you through the essential steps to get ready for the new indoor season!

Maintenance for rental gear

Base

Maintenance of your ski gear is important, especially when skiing on artificial surfaces like ski grass. When skiing on a ski carpet, friction heat can melt the base of your skis. For this reason, it’s not a good idea to have the SkiMachine running at full speed while simply holding onto the safety bar.
While the slope’s sprinkler system keeps the surface moist and reduces the friction, the base of your gear can still wear down over time. Therefore, we recommend that ski centers inspect the condition of their ski and snowboard bases every once in a while and maintain them to ensure optimal performance.

base structure of ski gear

Extruded vs. Sintered base

Skis and snowboards generally come with two types of bases: extruded and sintered. An extruded base is made by melting polyethylene pellets together at high temperatures, resulting in a non-porous surface. On the other hand, a sintered base is produced by crushing the same materials under high pressure, creating a porous surface. Since extruded bases are more resistant to friction heat build-up, we recommend ski centers use gear with extruded bases for their durability and lower maintenance costs.

extruded-versus-sintered

Bindings

Bindings come in many types, and selecting the right ones for your skis and snowboards can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, choose adjustable ski bindings that students can learn to adjust on their own with a bit of practice, saving both time and effort. Standard rental bindings are usually a good choice—look for models with clearly labeled adjustments for the toe and heel pieces to simplify the process. For snowboards it makes things easier and faster using step-on bindings or rear-entry bindings however the traditional strap-on binding is also a still commonly used option.

summer-ski-camps-zwolle

Skis and snowboards

Choose a model that comes in different sizes and ensure all skis and snowboards have the same characteristics. While kids’ models will naturally differ from the adult version, avoid selecting the softest or most beginner-friendly models, as students improve quickly and may find them too floppy and ineffective at higher speeds. Gear that is designed for intermediate to advanced users is best suited for use on a SkiMachine. It’s also helpful if instructors use the same gear, so students can’t use the equipment as an excuse.



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Maintenance tasks

To keep your ski gear in top condition, we recommend focusing on the following maintenance tasks.

Grinding

Over time, ski bases can suffer damage, such as blisters that may potentially harm your ski carpet. This is where grinding comes into play. Grinding removes the damaged outer layer of the base and reveals a fresh new layer. The main purpose of grinding is to restore the flatness of the base, optimize the gliding of the gear, and repair the structure of the base. This ensures that your visitors have the best possible experience with well-maintained gear.

grinding the base of ski gear

Structuring

Most skis and snowboards have a structured base with a visible pattern, designed to channel water away from the base to improve acceleration and stability. This structure also makes it easier to turn, offering better control. While all skis come with a factory structure, you can customize this with a filing tool depending on the temperature and conditions in which the gear will be used. For indoor skiing on a SkiMachine, the most important is to apply a coarse structure to your gear; we’ve found that it doesn’t matter what pattern is applied. If the structure wears down or is nearly gone, the gear will lose its glide, and the slope will feel sticky even if the slope is properly moistened.
ski base structure

Sharpening

Over time, the edges of your skis and snowboards will wear down and become dull. After a long summer break, they might even develop rust, which can damage your ski carpet. That’s why it’s important to sharpen your gear annually. Properly sharpened edges improve grip and maneuverability, ensuring a smoother, more enjoyable experience for skiers. Do not sharpen the ski’s like you are going to race at the Olympics, an angle between 88 and 90 degrees is more than enough. Also, do not forget to blunt the tip and tail a little bit, otherwise the ski’s can be very aggressive and get stuck in the carpet when initiating a turn.
sharpening skis

Waxing

In regular maintenance, we always wax our skis before heading to the mountains. However, on a SkiMachine, this is a bad idea. Wax gets into the ski grass, making it dirty and reducing the slope’s sliding capabilities. Avoid using any wax alternatives—the best way to ensure skis glide well on a SkiMachine is to keep them unwaxed with a good, coarse base structure.
skiwax

Greasing

A lot of water and dirt comes off the ski grass that can settle in the ski bindings and cause rust, especially if the skis sit unused while the ski center is closed. To prevent this, remove the toe and heel pieces from the skis, leaving the base plates attached. Use a steel brush to remove any rust from the baseplates and bindings, then apply a fresh coat of grease to the channels of the baseplates and the springs of the bindings. Be sure to remove any excess grease to avoid getting it on the ski grass.
grease

Cleaning

A white residue might appear on the ski gear; you can use a pressure washer to clean the skis. To make them shine like new, apply a small amount of silicone spray and wipe it with a clean cloth. Also, remove the liners from the ski boots so they can air out properly. Spray some shoe spray inside the boots to keep them smelling fresh and clean the shell with a brush, hot water, and a basic cleaning detergent. You can also use the silicone spray on the ski boots: apply a small amount, wipe it with a clean cloth, and they will look as good as new.
grinding the base of ski gear

Artificial ski grass

To encourage visitors to return, it’s recommended providing them with the best possible conditions and experience. When skiers are preparing for upcoming trips, they want to practice on a surface that offers glide and grip similar to real snow. That’s why it’s important to check the condition of your ski carpet before the new season begins. Over time, the artificial ski grass on your dry slope simulator will naturally wear down. If this is happening at your center, our team is ready to repair or replace your surface, ensuring your visitors continue to enjoy the sensation of skiing on a freshly groomed slope!
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With 100+ endless ski slopes installed worldwide, numerous positive reactions from clients, and over 25 years of experience, SkiMachine has created wealth and know-how in manufacturing the highest quality indoor simulators in the industry. We are happy to provide you with professional input at any time!
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