I always cringe when watching skiers walk up to the lifts with gear that still has 20 years of dust on it. Sure, they still look fine and they might get you down the hill, but at what cost? When speeding downhill, one must be confident that the planks they’re on will hold true.
Last season, I spied a lady walking in the gondola base with rear entry boots, circa 1989. Each step she took, the shell of her footwear disintegrated in front of my eyes, bits of bright pink plastic springing away like little sparks. Only ten steps is what it took for them to completely break down as the lady herself did too—in peels of laughter. This may have been hilarious to her and all that watched, but it could have been tragic had this event unfolded as she took to the slopes.
Which brings us back to the original question: how long does ski equipment last?
Bindings
As far as safety goes, these are some of the most important to get right. Staying on top of it can be as easy as having your ski tech perform a quick release test to verify how well the mechanism will do its job. Releasing unnecessarily or not at all can cause serious injuries, from torn ligaments to broken bones—even at slower speeds. Get them tested at the beginning of the season and ski with peace of mind.
Skis
How much edge and base are left and are they intact? How many days have you skied on them? Are they still performing to the level you want them to be? These are all appropriate questions to ask when considering replacing what is certainly the most expensive piece of equipment. Some claim that 100 days is an average life span, however that can vary hugely depending on how and where you ski.
Boots
I’ve already waxed philosophical on this subject. To me, boots are the most important piece of equipment for skiers; they are the foundation on which many skills will rely, the key to comfort and performance. That being said, how long they last will once again depend on how they’re used. There is still the mythical “100 day” rule that can apply, however skiers really should be looking for telltale signs of overuse: well worn and rounded toe and/or heel pieces, a compacted and/or tearing liner, a cracked outer-shell or an over-all loss of performance. Heel and toe pieces should be of particular concern as they impact on binding release and, as a result, your over-all safety.
Helmet
This is a much debated subject, one that I feel inept to provide a definitive answer for. If you’ve already had an impact with your helmet, experts say it’s time to chuck it. Most helmets are designed to withstand one impact in order to perform optimally in a fall. That being said, wearing any helmet can reduce injuries significantly, between 21 and 45% to be exact (according to Eurosafe, who summarized a variety of studies). This applies mainly to direct injuries such as lacerations, bruises and skull fractures, not so much to concussions according to this article on Backcountry.com. My recommendation: you do a bit of research and make an informed decision.
Poles
The sky’s the limit. Bent-up, beat-up and run-down, chances are your poles are still fine. In this case, safety isn’t so much of an issue, unless you’re missing the baskets. Then you may want to be concerned about impalement; funny (if you’re into dark humour), but true.
Have any questions about whether you gear is too far gone? Any opinions about when it’s time to purchase new gear? Comment below!
Winter is coming,