Spring Clean Up

Spring has sprung. Days are longer and temperatures are climbing. Flowers are popping through and tree and shrub buds are swelling. And yes, the snow is melting.

While that does not mean that the ski and ride season is over with, it does mean that it is winding down. If you are, for whatever reason, already at the end of your ski and ride season, then it is time to do a couple very simple tasks to ensure that next winter your gear is ready to go.

The thing you do not want to do is simply chuck your boots and skis or snowboard into a closet, basement, attic, or whatever lonely space you chuck your gear into. They will be very sad come next winter. They will look like the image on the right side up above. Rust will form, ski or deck base will get a whitish, sickly color, and boots will be disfigured and maybe even kinda smelly.

If you want to avoid all that—and your gear looks like the image on the left up above—here are a few things to do that will keep a smile on your winter toys.

GOOD

Lightly buckle your boots so they keep their shape. Take a damp rag and wipe the outsides and the metals buckles to remove dirt. Do the same with your skis or snowboard. Put them in a space that is NOT subject to lots of humidity. In other words, a dry, airy space.

BETTER

Do everything under GOOD, plus the following. Pull the liner out of your boots and be sure it is allowed to completely dry and air out. After a day or two of freedom, put the boots back together and store them as above. Take your skis or snowboard to Avie’s Ski / Sports and have them do “The Works.” This will sharpen the edges, recondition the base and repair any major cuts and gouges, and put on a coat of wax. Put them in a dry spot for the summer and next season you are ready to go.

BEST

Do all the above, plus the following. While you have your boot liners pulled out, give them a spray with a deodorizing, non-scented boot/shoe product. This will keep them nice and fresh. Once they air out for a few days, put the boots together and store them in a dry spot. Bring your skis or snowboard to Avie’s Ski / Sports and ask for them to be “Summerized.” We do The Works as above, but iron on a coat of wax and leave it there. That wax protects the base as well as soaks into the base so that any wax applied after lasts that much longer. Put your skis or snowboard away for the summer. Come fall bring them back to Avie’s and we scrape off the wax and then brush the base out to a beautiful luster. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Sure, you can do nothing and chuck your gear into that convenient dank, dark hole for the summer. Yes, Avie’s can resuscitate your skis or snowboard come fall. But at a price to your gear—we have to use a pretty heavy hand to remove deeply embedded rust and to restore a base that is heavily oxidized. That heavy handed method removes a couple years of life from your gear. Sorry, but we cannot “de-stinkify” boots.

If you have relatively new gear, or gear that you really like, consider treating it to an Avie’s “Spa Day” at the end of the season. That gear gave you it’s all and put a smile on your face all season long. Giving it a nice tune up before letting it relax for the summer is a very, very nice way to pay-if-forward.

Indemnified?

You walk into Avie’s Ski / Sports. A big smile on your face. You tell a story about the pair of skis you got for an incredible price at a local ski swap. A few minutes later the smile is gone. Replaced by a quizzical, skeptical look. Maybe an angry stare. Definitely one of frustration. You just heard the phrase “not indemnified” from one of the staff.

In easy terms, indemnified means that someone can be held responsible for compensation or loss in the event of some form of accident or failure. For a ski binding, this would mean the binding manufacturer.

Just What Is The Issue?

Let’s use the image of the binding here as an example. It clearly looks old, though it may not be. It most certainly is not in like new condition. Rust, oxidation, and dirt are obvious.

Metals and plastics make up ski bindings. Both are long lasting, but neither is eternal. Springs and levers, tensioning rods and screws. These make the binding function. A certified technician sets those springs and levers and rods to release the skier under certain circumstances based on skier age, weight, height, ability, and boot length. Rust, oxidation, dirt. All play into how well the binding will function, despite proper adjustment to manufacturer specifications.

The issue is that the manufacturer has no way of knowing how people take care of their equipment. Some do and some don’t. Most skiers really don’t give ski bindings much thought. They are viewed as part of the ski. And they are, but as a separate entity with a distinct purpose—keep the skier locked onto the ski; let the boot free as required. At the end of the day and end of the season the average skier stands the skis up in a corner of the garage or basement. Done till next season.

Binding Longevity

After a certain length of time the manufacturer will no longer indemnify—or hold themselves responsible—for a given ski binding. The manufacturer has a pretty good idea of how the metals and plastics in the binding will degrade over time given “normal use.” Lack of maintenance and/or environmental conditions (e.g., damp basement) hasten the rate of degradation away from “normal.” Manufacturers no doubt err on the side of caution when determining age for indemnification to cease. As they should.

So you walk into a ski shop, skis in one hand a ski boot in the other. You tell your happy tale and say you want the bindings adjusted to the boot. In return you hear, “We can’t work on the binding. It’s no longer indemnified.” You’re miffed. Even if at a bargain price you gave away dollars for something that cannot be used as anticipated. You can buy and install new bindings for a couple hundred bucks, but now your bargain is no longer the bargain you had in mind.

Sometimes people get angry when they hear we won’t adjust the bindings. Some get downright belligerent. Conspiracy theories are rolled out. “Dirty crooks” and sometimes much less nice things are said. Despite the tirade, we will not adjust the bindings.

For some reason with ski bindings people think they are indestructible. They look simple enough. And beefy enough. They ought to last forever. And they may indeed last forever. But they may not function as expected—or as desired.

Risk Rules

How about this example. You are going bungee jumping. The manufacturer says the big rubber band that keeps you from splatting on the landscape below are indemnified for 500 jumps. Are you going to be willing to be tethered to that bungee cord beyond the 500 rated jumps? Maybe if you were number 501, but how about at 520? 550? 600? Me? I would definitely wait for the new rubber band to be installed.

Technically, a ski shop could adjust non-indemnified bindings. Doing so would mean the shop accepts responsibility should anything go amiss during their use. Yes, the shop could have a lawyer draw up waivers to be signed so that responsibility is mitigated. But there is already a small mountain of paper work attached to every ski rental or lease, binding adjustment or mounting.

And we could predict the outcome of any lawsuit. It’s a real no-brainer. I can hear the judge saying, “Really? You are adjusting ski bindings that the manufacturer says may not be reliable? Seriously? The Court rules in favor of the plaintiff.” The gavel whacks the bench. Case closed.

Ski binding indemnification. It’s not a scam. Or a conspiracy. It’s about safety of the skier. Really. Stuff gets old. Plastics get brittle. Metals fatigue. Moving parts don’t move so good anymore.

Have A Plan

Ski shop employees do not get any satisfaction from having to tell customers—in as nice a way as possible—that their great ski gear bargain isn’t. And the worst part is, for that customer, they almost never can return the unusable gear for a refund. It’s a no-win situation in almost all directions (the seller of the skis does gain benefit).

Does that mean that you shouldn’t buy used ski gear? Of course not. But if the bindings on the skis look pretty beat up and old then be skeptical. If the bindings are more than 7 or 8 years old, even if in really good visual condition, you may want to think twice. In either case the binding may indeed work fine. But if no ski shop will adjust them, then it’s a moot point.

Your best bet is finding out if the bindings are indemnified before laying out any cash. How do you do that? Easy.

Build a relationship with a local ski shop if you don’t already have one. Buy stuff there. Have your gear tuned there. Ask them where you might find some bargains to keep the kids (and yourself) playing in the snow. Ask that if you do find a pair of used skis if they mind a call to determine if they are indemnified. It is very likely they will be happy to help.

In Conclusion…

Once you have your plan in place and find that great ski bargain, be prepared to get some specific information about the binding. You will need to provide the shop with the manufacturer and the model name and number of the binding. If the bindings are so worn that you cannot tell who made them or what model they are, don’t bother with the call. Walk away from the purchase. Or buy the skis and take your chances. But don’t berate the folks at the ski shop for your decision if you hear the phrase “not indemnified.”

We understand that skiing is an expensive sport. We sympathize with families trying to afford gear and lift ticket prices, and we realize cost is a huge barrier to entry to and continuing enjoyment of the sport. So please do look for good, used gear. But do so smartly.

Follow the above advice and you maybe can rewrite the opening lines of this article so that the smile never leaves your face. That really will be a happy ending. And a win-win for all.


If you want to learn a bit more about ski bindings see the Avie’s “Skier Need to Know—Bindings” page.

21/22 Ski & Ride Season

While Killington has been open for several weeks, the “real” ski and ride season for 2021 – 2022 begins Thanksgiving Day. That’s when most ski areas spin lifts for the first time and get the seasonal stoke going.

Things were a bit delayed this season, but now most all the major ski resorts have lifts spinning, skiers skiing, and riders riding. AND the north country got their first snowfall of significance this past Friday and Saturday. We hope that’s the start of a very, very white winter.

While this image—captured from the mid-mountain cam at Stratton—was taken before that first snowfall, it is just a very interesting image that captures the intensity of snow making, swirling winds, and bright sun. The trails at Stratton, and other ski resorts, are now bedecked in a mix of both natural and manmade snow. Truly the season is upon us.

And now we enter the holiday season, with throngs of shoppers flitting from store to store like skiers and riders jammed up on the limited open terrain of early season. Fortunately, Avie’s Ski / Sports has lots and lots of “open terrain” available.

Despite the woes we hear of supply chain limitations and shortages, Avie’s is loaded up with skis, boots, bindings, and winter weather apparel ranging from outer wear to beat the elements to base layers and socks that keep the core warm and dry.

Right now the ski and ski boot selection is excellent. Armada, Blizzard, Elan, Nordica, and Volkl skis are ready for bindings and some snow. Dalbello, Nordica, Roxa and Tecnica ski boots are waiting for feet to slip into them and hit the slopes.

Smartwool and Helly Hansen baselayers, North Face and Helly mid- and outer layers, all await the opportunity to show their mettle on the slopes. Gloves, goggles, and helmets are well stocked. Gear bags too.

And this season there are snowshoes! Try a new way to have some fun in the snow that doesn’t require a drive to the slopes. Just walk out your door and have some fun.

Killington had a delay in the FIS World Cup races yesterday due to wind. But they are back on track today. And we saw a few while flakes falling this morning down here along the coast. Keep your shopping on track and come see us at Avie’s Ski / Sports for all your winter sporting needs.

Carving Crave

November 8 at Killington

Check out the image. That’s Superstar at Killington. It’s not open yet but will be soon. And it’s calling to you to come and carve up that sweet corduroy striping that it will be wearing real soon now.

Face it, you want to be carving more than turkey this season, and here is a chance to make a significant leap in that direction. And you don’t need cutlery to do it.

If you have you been using a bunch of hand-me-down or ski swap gear you know it’s lacking in comfort and performance. Sure, it works and gets you top-to-bottom, but do you feel like something is missing when you get there? Perhaps the boot liners are all packed down and your feet feel like they are wrapped in paper towels, slipping and sloshing around. Maybe the ski bases are old and dry and don’t hold wax anymore, making for a slow herky-jerky slide down the mountain. Probably both. Admit it.

So here’s a deal for you to consider in making a decision to act on that very much needed upgrade to your personal ski gear.

For $799.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put you into a pair of brand new skis and ski boots that will have you ripping up the slopes, carving the groomers top to bottom, and leave you grinning ear-to-ear at the end of each run down the mountain. Whoa! Want to make that grin even bigger? There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of brand new aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

Avie’s has chosen 2 pair of skis that will be best suited to carving the corduroy on New England ski slopes. You get to choose between Nordica Navigator 80 CA or Blizzard Thunderbird 7.7 skis. These skis are wide enough to handle late day crud, but still narrow enough to tip in and out of turns quick and easy. The extra stiffness found in these skis will hold the turns on the crusty, super firm surfaces typical of New England ski slopes. Click Here and go check out the skis.

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 90, Roxa R-Fit 90, Tecnica Mach Sport HV 90, or Nordica Sportmachine 90 ski boot. Any of the four boot choices, with their stiffer flex, will drive your new skis into and out of turns and have you carving up the groomers in no time. Besides a stiffer, more performance-oriented flex, the liners of these boots are designed to be more anatomically correct in wrapping your foot, ankle, and lower leg, giving you great control over the ski as well as increased comfort. These boots give nothing but a win-win outcome. Click Here to go check out the boots (a short scroll down).

As an added bonus, Avie’s will give you 25% off any custom footbed. Why? Because a custom footbed will put your foot in the heel pocket just perfect, and keep it there. And the extra arch support will keep your feet from aching while you are tearing up the groomers on your new skis. A custom footbed is the least expensive, most responsive upgrade you can make to your ski gear. Still not sold? Swap out footbeds after you get fitted for those perfect fitting new boots. Your foot will notice the difference, and say “Thank you.”

Building your new ski gear outfit can’t be any easier than this. What goes into your ski package however, is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.

Ladies Luck

November 7 at Killington

Ski season is now officially started. Check out the image if you don’t believe me. It’s real. And that means it is time to get serious about getting yourself ready for another season of fun on the slopes.

Have you been using a bunch of hand-me-down gear that is, well, lacking in comfort and performance?

Here’s a deal for all you women skiers out there who are thinking they need to make a serious upgrade in their personal ski gear.

For $799.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put you onto a pair of brand new skis and into new ski boots that will have you ripping the slopes, carving the groomers, and leaving you smiling at the end of each run down the mountain.

Whoa! Want to make that smile even bigger? There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of brand new shiny aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

Avie’s has chosen 3 pair of skis that will be best suited to carving the corduroy on New England ski slopes. You get to choose between Nordica Wild Belle 78 CA, Blizzard Phoenix 7.7, and Volkl Flair 78 skis. These skis are wide enough to handle late day crud, but still narrow enough to tip in and out of turns quick and easy. The extra stiffness found in these skis will hold the turns on the crusty, super firm surfaces typical of New England ski slopes. Click Here and go check out the skis (a short scroll down).

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 80W, Roxa R-Fit 85W, Tecnica Mach Sport HV 75W, or Nordica Cruise 75W ski boots. Any of the four boot choices, with their stiffer flex, will drive your new skis into and out of turns and have you carving up the groomers in no time. Besides a stiffer, more performance-oriented flex, the liners of these boots are designed to be more anatomically correct in wrapping your foot, ankle, and lower leg, and for accommodating the lower calf muscle position of the female leg. These are women’s boots designed by women for women. These boots give ladies nothing but a win-win outcome. Click Here to go check out the boots (a bit longer scroll down).

As an added bonus, Avie’s will give you 25% off any custom footbed. Why? Because a custom footbed will put your foot in the heel pocket just perfect, and keep it there. And the extra arch support will keep your feet from aching while you are tearing up the groomers on your new skis. A custom footbed is the least expensive, most responsive upgrade you can make to your ski gear. Still not sold? Swap out footbeds after you get fitted for that perfect new boot. Your foot will notice the difference, and say “Thank you.”

Intermediate and better women skiers will want to take note—building your new ski gear outfit can’t be any easier than this. What goes into your ski package however, is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.

Guy’s Gambit

Ski season is now officially started—Killington opened on November 5th and snow is falling in the mountains of New Hampshire—and it is time to get serious about getting yourself ready for another season of fun on the slopes.

If you just got the skiing bug a year or two ago and have been renting or leasing, now is the time to think about a shift to the next level. Rental gear is great for getting started, but once you pick up the basics, rental gear just can’t take you any further in building your skills and ability to charge hard all across the mountain.

So here’s a deal for all you male skiers out there who are thinking about making the shift from renting to owning ski gear. For $599.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put your feet into a pair of brand new ski boots that you will click into bindings atop a pair of brand new skis. There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

While today there really is no such thing as a “bad ski,” Avie’s has chosen 3 pair that will be best suited to getting you on the path to cruising hard and fast down the slopes. You get to choose between Nordica Navigator 77 CA, Blizzard Thunderbird 7.2, and Volkl Deacon 72 skis. Each of these is a huge step up from rentals—all are performance skis that are just a bit forgiving so you can take your skills to intermediate / advanced intermediate level quick and easy. Click Here and go check out the skis.

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 75, Roxa R-Fit S, or Tecnica Mach Sport HV 70 ski boot. Any of these three boots will give the snug, wrap around fit that will have you wondering why you didn’t do this sooner. These moderate flex boots will help you drive the skis into and out of turns but still be forgiving enough that you can relax and have fun when you just want to cruise. Click Here to go check out the boots (a short scroll down).

Building your first ski quiver can’t be any easier than this. Avie’s has set the playing field in your favor; you need to make the next move. What goes into your ski package is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.

Girl’s Game

Ski season is now officially started—Killington opened on November 5th—and it is time to get serious about getting yourself ready for another season of fun on the slopes. If you started skiing a year or two ago and have been renting or leasing, now is the time to think about a shift to the next level. Rental gear is just great for getting started, but once you pick up the basics rental gear just can’t put you on the path to improving on a consistent basis.

So here’s a deal for all the women skiers out there who are thinking about making the shift from renting to owning their own personal ski gear. For $599.95 Avie’s Ski / Sports will put you into a pair of brand new ski boots that you will click into a pair of brand new skis. There will be no charge for binding set up and adjustment, and you get a pair of aluminum ski poles to complete the package.

While today there really is no such thing as a “bad ski,” Avie’s has chosen 3 pair that will be best suited to getting you from beginner into intermediate level skiing. You get to chose between Nordica Wild Belle 74 CA, Blizzard Phoenix 7.2, and Volkl Flair 72W skis. Each of these is a big step up from rentals—all are performance skis that are a bit forgiving so you can take the skills you have and expand them into becoming an intermediate / advanced intermediate level skier. Click Here and go check out the skis (a short scroll down).

An Avie’s boot fitter will work with you to get your feet into a perfectly fitting pair of Dalbello DS AX 65W, Roxa R-Fit Sport W, or Tecnica Mach Sport HV 65W ski boot. Any of these three boots will nestle your feet into a comfortable but snug fit that will have you wondering why you didn’t do this sooner. These moderate flex boots will help you learn to drive the skis into and out of turns but still be forgiving enough that you can relax and have fun. Click Here to go check out the boots (a bit longer scroll down).

Building your new ski gear outfit can’t be any easier than this. What goes into your ski package is limited to skis, boots, and poles that are in stock. Getting over to Avie’s and shopping now will provide you with the broadest selection of ski and pole lengths, and boot sizes.

Think Snow! We hope to see you soon at Avie’s Ski / Sports.

Avie’s 21/22 Skis & Boots!

The latest crop of skis and boots and bindings are lining the shelves at Avie’s Ski/Sports. All the goods from Armada, Blizzard, Dalbello, Elan, Marker, Nordica, Roxa, Tecnica, and Volkl for the upcoming season of snow are ready and waiting.

Go the Avie’s website and check them out. Better yet, get over to the shop and meet them in person.

There is a great selection of sizes, colors, styles, and models to choose from. But the images above are a bit misleading. I thought I should be truthful. I took the pix before all the gear from Armada and Nordica made it into the shop. But they are there now. Apologies for being misleading.

So the current inventory of skis and boots is huge! But the longer you wait to go check out the new goods the less there will be to ponder over.

While we never know how much snow we will get or how conditions will be, you can make sure that you are ready for whatever winter brings if you get you gear now.

Come in and browse. Ask questions. Get fitted for boots. Select those new skis and poles. Then smile, because you can’t help it. How could you not?

First Frost

It was great to wake up this morning and see a nice heavy coat of frost. It has snowed a couple of times up north. Ski areas are working snow guns overnight as they begin to build up the base we will ski and ride on this season. Killington and Sunday River have lifts spinning taking eager beavers up for some early season turns.

If you haven’t turned thoughts towards skiing and riding, this ought to help you get focused. Last post focused on What’s New from Blizzard and Tecnica, and the one before that on new Capita, Union, and thirtytwo snowboard gear. Check those out if you missed them, but first read on as we check in on Volkl and Dalbello. …more

It’s Official — Spring is Here!!

Today is the 21st of March. Yesterday, by the calendar, was the first day of spring. Today, on my drive in to work, I noticed the osprey atop her nest on Route 1 at Silver Spring Cove in Narragansett. When the ospreys are back on the nests here along coastal Rhode Island, to me, that marks the start of spring.

The snow is still great up north. Ask anyone who was on the bus trip to Okemo this past Sunday.  Ski and ride season isn’t quite over yet. Keep hitting the slopes as much as you can for as long as you can. Temperatures are continuing to run cold up north, so take advantage while it lasts.

But if you really need to call it quits for the season, there’s a few things you should consider. …more