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EquipmentCheck | How long does your equipment last?

Tips and tricks by PowderGuide and Sport Conrad for replacing ski, snowboard and touring equipment on time

by Hannes Hemper • 11/25/2024

With intensive use, skis and snowboards can last for around 100 days on snow before the preload and thus the riding behaviour deteriorates.

Hannes Hemper

With intensive use, skis and snowboards can last for around 100 days on snow before the preload and thus the riding behaviour deteriorates.

Hannes Hemper
Whether skis, snowboard or touring equipment: your equipment is your most important companion on the mountain. It determines fun and comfort, but also safety and, in an emergency, life and death. In this article, in collaboration with our partner Sport Conrad, we present the average lifespan of your equipement,, how you can recognise when it's time to replace it and which tips will help you to better assess the condition of your equipment. This article covers the categories; ski/snowboard, touring equipment, alpine touring equipment and safety equipment and provides tips on the lifespan and maintenance of your equipment.

For many of you, the winter season really started last weekend. The first descents on and off the slopes were made and you may have already hit a stone or two. A good opportunity to check your equipment and think about what might need replacing.

Skis and snowboards: service life and maintenance

Skis and snowboards are robust, but conditions and use affect their lifespan. Particularly frequent skiing on hard slopes or in icy conditions can put more strain on the material.

Average service life:

Ski und Snowboards

With intensive use, skis and snowboards can last around 100 days on snow before the preload and therefore the riding behaviour deteriorates. The service life depends heavily on factors such as skiing style, terrain conditions and maintenance. Material wear is particularly high on hard or icy slopes and with intensive use.

Bindings

Bindings for skis and snowboards are more durable and often last several years. However, it is advisable to replace them as soon as functional defects or material breakages occur.

Ski boots and snowboard boots

These gradually lose their stiffness, which can affect grip and control. The service life varies - on average, 50 to 100 days on snow is a good guidance. A clear sign of wear is when the TPU material of the ski boot shell becomes brittle or the boot feels too soft overall. Even small changes to the material can have a significant impact on performance.

Liner and performance extension

The liner often softens first, while the shell remains stable. A new liner can extend the lifespan of ski boots as it restores the original support and comfort. Snowboard boots also benefit from a new liner as it can renew the fit and stability of the boot.

Soles

The soles of ski boots and snowboard boots wear out due to mechanical stress. Over time, they can become so worn that they no longer fulfil the standard, which could jeopardise release from the binding. If the sole is too thin, the binding can no longer grip correctly, which poses a significant safety risk.

When should you replace what?

Edges

Heavily worn or cracked edges impair control, especially on hard slopes. If an edge is bent or torn out of the base, repairs are often costly and time-consuming.

Base

Deep scratches, "core shots" (damage that reaches the wood core) or very frequent reworking of the base can impair performance. After approx. six sanding processes, the base becomes too thin.

Delaminationen

Delamination is a sign of wear, especially at the ends (tips and tails). Minor delamination can often be repaired, but major damage requires replacement.

Sticks

Alpine ski poles made of aluminium are stable and last until they break. Bent poles are more of a visual problem.

Ski boots

If the soles are worn through, the shell is broken or the material is brittle, it is advisable to replace them. The soles of some models can be replaced, which can increase their lifespan.

Tip for testing: Hold the ski or snowboard against a flat surface to check the evenness of the edges. Check the base for damage after every ride and check whether wax is necessary - a base that dries out will affect performance.

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Defective binding on a Shift.

Hannes Hemper

Defective binding on a Shift.

Hannes Hemper

Touring equipment: bindings, skins and more

Touring equipment is exposed to high strain due to ascents and varying snow and weather conditions. While touring skis and splitboards have a similar lifespan to alpine skis (approx. 100 days), skins are usually the first parts to show signs of wear.

When should you replace what?

Touring bindings

The pins and tensioning devices of touring bindings should be checked annually for cracks or wear.

Skins

As a rule, climbing skins have a lifespan of around 100,000 vertical metres. If the skins no longer adhere well or their gliding properties deteriorate noticeably, you can renew the adhesive and wax or impregnate the skins. If this is not enough, it is time to replace the skins with new ones.

Carbon fibre telescopic poles

These are more susceptible to breakage and should be checked for soft spots or fraying on the shaft in order to recognise weak points at an early stage.

Touring ski boots

Touring ski boots are often subject to greater abrasion due to the ascent and climbing passages on rocky ground. As they are designed to be lighter than alpine boots, you should regularly check for wear on the sole and cracks or weak points on the shell.

Tip for testing: Check the grip of the skins before every tour and carry out regular function tests on bindings. Check pin systems for blocked or loose parts.

Alpine touring equipment: ropes, carabiners, ice screws and crampons

High altitude tours require reliable equipment, as extreme conditions create a high level of stress. Regular maintenance and inspection of your equipment is essential to ensure safety and functionality.

When should you replace?

Ropes

The service life of climbing and safety ropes is around 5 to 7 years, depending on use and storage. Replacement is advisable if the rope shows frayed areas, damage to the core (through palpation) or stiffness. The rope should also be well impregnated, as a rope that attracts moisture becomes heavy, freezes in the worst case and becomes stiff.

Crampons

Check the points regularly for wear and bent parts. Blunt or worn points must be sharpened or replaced as they do not grip securely in hard ice. The straps and buckles should also be undamaged and secure.

Carabiners

Carabiners and other belay devices should be checked for cracks, nicks and wear. Carabiners that have fallen a long way on a multi-pitch route or that show visible damage or no longer close reliably should be replaced. Also make sure that the locking mechanism functions smoothly.

Ice screws

Ice screws must also be checked regularly. Blunt or bent teeth can make it difficult to drill into ice and impair safety. Make sure that the thread is undamaged and that the screw can be screwed in easily.

Tip for testing: Check the rope for frayed areas and signs of wear in the impregnation before every tour. With crampons, all points should be sharp and undamaged and the straps should be tight.

 

Safety equipment: helmets, avalanche transceivers, airbag backpacks

Safety equipment is essential when touring in the mountains. Helmets, avalanche transceivers and airbag backpacks are part of the basic equipment and should be checked regularly for function and damage in order to provide optimum protection in an emergency.

Maintenance and replacement:

Helmets

A helmet should be replaced after every fall or accident, especially if there are visible dents or cracks. Even without a fall, helmets should be replaced after 5-10 years at the latest due to UV radiation and material ageing, depending on the manufacturer and the specific recommendations.

Avalanche transceivers

Avalanche transceivers should be serviced every 3 to 5 years. Some manufacturers offer inspection and calibration services for this purpose. If there are any doubts about the functionality (e.g. long search times or unreliable signal transmission), the device should be replaced immediately. Regular updates and software checks are also important, as new technologies can outperform older devices.

Airbag backpacks

The function of the airbag cartridges should be checked annually. Manufacturers such as Mammut offer special test days where you can check the system and test the deployment. The deployment mechanism and the airbag system should also be checked regularly for damage and functionality.

Tip for testing: Check the helmet for external damage and the condition of the inner lining, carry out an annual avalanche transceiver test run with partners to ensure that it works properly, and also test the airbag cartridge annually to ensure reliable deployment.

If the soles are worn through, the shell is broken or the material is brittle, it is advisable to replace them. The soles of some models can be replaced, which can increase their service life.

Hannes Hemper

If the soles are worn through, the shell is broken or the material is brittle, it is advisable to replace them. The soles of some models can be replaced, which can increase their service life.

Hannes Hemper

Conclusion: When new equipment is needed

Regular maintenance and inspection of your equipment increases its service life and safety. If you recognise the signs of wear and tear, you can act early and avoid accidents.

When it's time for new equipment, partners such as Sport Conrad have a large selection of the latest gear - perfect for getting the season off to the best possible start.

 

Where can I have my equipment checked?

  1. Specialist shops and workshops such as Sport Conrad offer ski and snowboard servicing, binding checks and climbing equipment checks. Many also offer checks for avalanche transceivers.

  2. Manufacturer service programa: Dynafit, Marker, Mammut and others offer inspection and maintenance programs. Wear parts can often be replaced or rope inspections carried out here.

  3. Certified safety laboratories and institutions: The DAV offers safety checks, often as part of courses or seminars.

  4. Avalanche centres and mountain guide services offer tests and calibrations of avalanche equipment in alpine regions.

 

Note: This article serves as a guideline and does not replace professional advice. All information is provided without guarantee.

The soles of ski boots and snowboard boots wear out due to mechanical stress.

Hannes Hemper

The soles of ski boots and snowboard boots wear out due to mechanical stress.

Hannes Hemper

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