4 Essential Tips On Snowboard Maintenance

Snowboarding is one of the most popular winter sports in America, but did you know that even if you don't ride all year round it pays to maintain your board? 

For example, imagine you just picked up a brand new DST Carbon Splitboard, our multiple award-winning backcountry board that is ferociously fun and easy to ride on any terrain. Properly maintained, a board like this can last decades. 

But even if you’re riding a more affordable, entry-level board like the Adit, you’ll still want to wax it regularly to ensure longevity and enhance performance on the slopes. Timely maintenance is critical to keeping your board in the best shape possible. 

Here’s all you need to know.

Start Off Strongly

Typically, high-quality snowboards come with a factory wax, which means a coating of wax was applied to it before it let the factory. Now, while it’s perfectly okay to ride your board down the slopes straight out of the box, most boarders agree that giving your board a proper hot wax before using it can go a long way in improving its longevity.

Now, it’s surprisingly easy to wax a snowboard. It’ll reduce friction, making it easier for you to achieve high speeds, and prevent your stick from drying out.

To wax a board, all you need is a scraper, an iron, and some A-grade wax. You can certainly buy an iron that’s especially made for snowboard waxing, but any old iron will do. Just ensure that you don’t use it for ironing clothes ever again. When it comes to waxes, there are different types available for different conditions. We’ll have more on that in a moment.

Ride With Care

The worst enemy of a snowboard are hard, jagged surfaces such as exposed rocks. Therefore, you should ride with care, particularly late and early in the season when coverage isn’t optimal. Resist the temptation to hit the slopes when conditions are marginal, and keep your eyes open for warning signs of questionable snow conditions.

More On Waxing…

When it comes to snowboards and waxing, it isn’t a “one and done” sort of thing. Depending on how much you use it, your board will require a proper hot waxing job time to time. Some signs that indicate your board is in need of a wax job include:

• The base is starting to look a little white
• You’ve noticed a drop in speed on the flat bits

Don’t Ignore Gashes

This happens to all snowboarders at some point, you have an unexpected encounter with a rock while you’re shredding down a slope that leaves a gash on the base of your board. If the mark is a shallow one, all you need is some fresh hot wax and you’re good to go. However, if it’s a deep one, it may require a visit to the shop. Whichever the case, you should get scratches and gashes addressed immediately.

If you’re in the market to buy snowboard gear of some premium-quality for your next winter sport expedition, Telos Snowboards offers everything you need at great prices. Get in touch with them to learn more.