The cross-country ski trails have been repaired and the ski slopes are open. If you don’t have one, it may be time to take out your winter activities equipment.

But before you go up a slope or trail, you should take some steps to make sure that your gear is suitable for driving.

Matthew Johnston is a former St. Albert resident, and his family still lives in the city. Johnston is an avid skier, he teaches children how to ski competitions in the local mountains. He also works at Pacesetter Ski and Snowboard in Edmonton, working on equipment technology.

Johnston said that the best thing to do at the beginning of the season is to get your gear out of the warehouse.

"First, put it in a place where you will see it, it will make you feel guilty all the time, so you can go skiing," he said. "But most importantly, check to make sure nothing major happened throughout the summer."

One thing to be aware of in skis and snowboards is warpage.

"Sometimes you can get water left on it for a long time, right? Suppose you get water on them. Okay, take a look. Is the water damaged? I mean there is wood in it," he said.

If the device shows signs of warping, Johnston recommends taking it to the store to see if any problems can be resolved.

"It is not recommended to ride it, because if it explodes in front of you. Kaboom. Like, let's be realistic-eight hours to Jasper[and] Your day is ruined?"

For Johnston, the most important thing is the waxing equipment.

"Waxing is the most important thing to me. It's a way to protect the thousands of dollars people spend on ski equipment," he said.

He recommends waxing skis and snowboards to keep the moisture in the plastic.

If the wax storage was done last season, now is the time to "take out the wax paper and scrape it all off".

"Get that kind of polish and get ready to go up the mountain," he said.

If the device is not waxed during storage, then it is time to wax it.

Johnston said that it is relatively easy to wax yourself. All you need is an iron, wax paper, spatula and basic wax. The only problem is that irons can be expensive.

"Using an ordinary household iron is not the best decision, because then you will throw the iron on your clothes when you forget in a hurry," he said.

However, depending on how many skis you have between you and your family, it may be worthwhile to buy an iron.

"If you are a stubborn person, this may be a worthwhile investment. This is an excuse to drink beer in the garage," he said.

It can also be waxed in a ski shop.

Waxing should be done when there is a film on the bottom of the ski or snowboard or when it looks a little dull. Johnston recommends that you wax regularly based on the number of rides.

"Say you go for a week. I will wax the skis again," he said.

He also recommends sanding the edges of skis and downhill skis, which helps with grip.

"When the legs are still fresh, it is always good to start the season with rather maddening notes. They may be rusty, but they are fresh," he said.

It is also important to check the tightness of the screws on the ski holder and make sure that your buckle is working properly and is not damaged in any way.

Boots also need to be checked and tried on. Johnston said it’s best to check the rest of your equipment four hours before you arrive in Jasper.

"Check to make sure you have a helmet, goggles, and check your helmet, do you know? Check your poles. If you are a skier, make sure you have two. I think, for snowboarders, make sure you No skis."

Otherwise, Johnston will speak out.

"The conditions are good. Go out. I mean, even if the conditions are bad, going out for skiing is better than working."

About the author: Jessica Nelson

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