It’s important to store your gear correctly and in a safe place throughout the offseason. If not, you may be heading to the slopes with broken or badly damaged gear. To help you pack and store your ski gear, we got together with a New York mover to bring you the top tips. Though NYC might be close to slopes, New York apartments are notoriously short on storage space. This moving company helps lots of customers pack up snow gear during the off-season and put it in a storage unit during the warmer months to keep residential spaces uncluttered. Put their knowledge to use with these helpful tips:

Skis

1. Wax Them before Storing

Before placing your skis in storage, make sure to remove any excess wax from the base and then recoat with a thick consistency of hot wax (see here for how to wax your skis). However, be sure to coat with at least three layers, depending on how long you’re planning on leaving it in storage. The layer of wax will help prevent your skis from drying out and the edges from rusting in storage.

2. Strap Them Together

Use a voile strap or a similar contraption to keep your skis bundled together and prevent them from rubbing into each other and falling to the ground on their way to storage.

3. Keep Them Stored Indoors

Leaving your ski bag outside can cause moisture to collect, rusting your skis as a result. Instead, you should store them indoors to prevent them from becoming damaged, such as a storage unit or garage.

Bindings and Poles

4. Bindings

It is suggested that you release your bindings and place them on the lowest settings to prevent your bindings from becoming stressed while in storage. This can also help lengthen the life of your bindings as well.

5. Poles

You should tie your ski poles together and lay, stand, or hang them near your skis in your storage area.

Clothing and Goggles

6. Ski Apparel

Be sure to check your ski apparel for damage before putting them in storage, in addition to washing and drying them. If they are damaged, keep in mind that you may have a warranty on them and end-of-season sales are the perfect time to get replacements. Also, while you’re cleaning your apparel, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the dot.

7. Goggles

Before storing your ski goggles, wash first and then dry them with a soft lens cloth. However, just be careful not to wipe the inside of the lens, this could remove the anti-fog coating and smear the lens. Once they’re dry, store them in a soft protective bag in storage.

8. Store Everything in One Place

Once you clean and dry everything, make sure you keep your ski gear all in one place, ready for the next time you head to the slopes.

Ski Boots

9. Dry The Liners

This is another important step to take before storing your ski gear away for the summer. Boot liners are often forgotten. To prepare your boot liners, you need to ensure they are totally dry before storing them. You can either purchase a boot dryer or simply remove the liners and air dry them. This will reduce the growth of bacteria and extend their usable life.

10. Make Sure Your Boots are Buckled

Since boots can easily lose their shape if you leave them unbuckled, make sure you buckle them before leaving them in storage. Just make sure they’re fully clasped and locked onto their lowest setting.