Winter activities in Saskatoon are a fun way to stay active year-round and stave off seasonal depression for people of all ages. Many people don’t realize just how much gear goes into seasonal sports and the hassle it can be to find, properly maintain, and easily exchange seasonal gear if it’s not all stored properly. So, before you lace up your ice or hockey skates or strap on your skis, let’s help you figure out how to store all your gear for seasonal activities.
Tips To Get Your Winter Gear Organized
1. Select The Right Storage Location
Begin by selecting an appropriate storage space for all your gear. Your space should be climate-controlled to prevent damage to the equipment and clothing articles. Choosing a storage space that is separate from your main living space avoids creating safety hazards and tracking snow and other debris through your home as you return gear after use.
If gear is infringing on your living space and a basement or garage isn’t an option, then consider a self storage unit. This climate-controlled environment provides the ideal all-in-one solution for all your seasonal gear, accessories, shoes, and clothing to be stored together in one convenient location that’s out of your living space. Plus, such a dedicated space makes it easy to switch back and forth from summer to winter gear.
2. Utilize Storage Bins
Custom or pre-fab shelving is a great storage option, but these still allow for the items to be loose on the shelves and possibly scattered. Storage bins are the ideal organizational solution. No more mismatched socks and gloves. You can organize each bin for a dedicated winter sport outfit, clothing group, or specific activity; it’s easy to set the bins up whichever way is easiest for you. Just don’t forget to label the outside of the box accordingly.
3. Store Your Skis For Longevity
Experienced skiers know the importance of proper ski storage in extending the life of expensive equipment. While ski bags are handy for traveling, storing skis and poles in them long-term leads to trapped moisture that can cause significant equipment damage. Again, you’ll want to ensure a climate- controlled storage environment even after removing your ski gear from the travel bag and properly cleaning and drying it for hanging.
4. Don’t Let Skates Become A Hazard
Whether it’s an ice, figure, racing, or hockey skate, the blade on your skates can be a real danger if not properly stored. One trip, fall, or even an inadvertent misstep can lead to serious accidents.
Never store skates on the ground or with the blade exposed to open air. Wipe the insides down after each use since moisture and bacteria from your feet can cause them to grow mold and rot the leather. Loosen the laces and open up the boot of the skate as wide as possible to promote air circulation. Climate-controlled storage is also important here to prevent humidity and fluctuating temps causing rust and other damage.
5. Don’t Leave Snow Boots Unbuckled
Did you know that the boots you wear for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiles can become misshapen if not stored properly? The best way to get the same ideal fit season after season is to ensure the boots are thoroughly air dried and then buckled back up before you store them.
6. Use A Hanging System
In the home, hanging rack systems for your active gear can be challenging and cumbersome. You need a dedicated empty wall space and head or moving around clearance. Yet, these racks are one of the best ways to store your skates, skis, poles, and hockey sticks.
A self storage unit gives you plenty of room for such rack hanging systems. A separate system can easily be used for your summer water skis and equipment, too.
7. Use Heavy-Duty Hooks
Just as with the rack hanging system, you can use heavy-duty hooks to hang gear like snowshoes and heavy insulated winter coveralls individually.
8. Seasonal Storage For Your Snowmobile
A snowmobile can be very useful and fun during winter, but it can become a spring and summer storage nightmare when it’s not in use and getting in the way. A storage unit offers a safe, dedicated space for this off-season plight, and you can easily set up a swap day each season if you also have summer toys, such as a jet ski, to store.
To prevent deterioration, you’ll want to remove excess grime, salt, and dirt and ensure your snowmobile is completely dry before seasonal storage. Decide if you want to fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer or not; while this is recommended, the deposits can potentially block the carburetor. Take your battery out and place it on a towel for separate storage and block off the snowmobile’s vents. Cinder blocks can be used to elevate the snowmobile off the ground. When snowmobile season returns, it’s always a good idea to bring your unit by a professional technician for checkup/tuneup prior to use.
Winter Equipment Storage Doesn’t Have To Be Painful
Seasonal storage of the gear for all your favorite outdoor activities can seem tedious if you don’t have a good plan and dedicated space. With just a little forethought to how and where you store it, the time you spend accessing, consolidating, and switching over the gear can be drastically reduced.
Depending on the amount of gear you have, Passion Safe self storage units are large enough to keep the gear from all your seasonal activities in a displayed dedicated place throughout the year. Otherwise, you can use the space to easily make seasonal switches in just a single day. Call Passion Safe Storage in Saskatoon to get the latest promotions and deals on now!
