To Lock or Not to Lock? Protecting Your Gear on the Mountain 🎿🔒

Let’s get real—there’s an unspoken bond among skiers and snowboarders. It’s the code. We’re all out here just trying to ride, shred, and maybe sneak in that mid-day waffle without worrying someone’s going to nab our precious planks.

For years, I lived by that trust. Leave the skis in the rack. Pop into the lodge. Who’s going to steal skis? Turns out… more people than you’d think.

Lately, I’ve been hearing too many “where’d my skis go?” horror stories. Expensive gear, missing without a trace. I hate to say it, but ski theft is becoming as common as slush in spring.

Pros and Cons of Locking Your Gear 🎿🔗

Let’s weigh the options, shall we?

Pros of Using a Lock:

• Peace of mind. Walk into the lodge, grab a burger, and stop glancing nervously out the window every two minutes.

• Cheap insurance. A $15 lock saves you from a $1,000 heartbreak.

• Versatile. A good lock can double for your summer bike, luggage, or even locking up your patio furniture (yes, really).

Cons of Using a Lock:

• It’s annoying. Let’s face it—carrying a lock feels like a buzzkill. Another thing to pack, another combo to remember.

• The trust issue. Locking your gear feels like admitting the ski community might not be so wholesome. (But hey, you can still believe in 95% of us, right?)

• The extra two minutes. Walking back to your skis, fiddling with frozen fingers on the lock… it’s a minor pain.

My Recommendation? 👇

Look, I don’t love locking my gear. It feels like saying, “I don’t trust you guys.” But these days? I trust myself more when I take precautions.

This lock has been my go-to:
Lewis N. Clark TSA Approved Retractable Cable Lock

• Compact, light, and it won’t ruin your vibe.

• 30 inches of steel cable—that’s plenty to loop through your bindings and rack.

• Bonus: Use it year-round for luggage, bikes, or travel. It’s the little gadget you didn’t know you needed.

Pro Tip:
Loop your skis separately (not as a pair) with the lock. Thieves aren’t looking for mismatched gear. They’re looking for easy pickings.

Mammoth Mountain 5-Day Forecast 🌤️❄️

The snow may not be fresh, but there’s still time to send it!

Conditions:

• Current snow: Mostly dry with freeze-thaw cycles

• Temps: 32°F (low) to 39°F (high)

• Winds: Light

5-Day Highlights:

• Tuesday: 32°F, morning chill.

• Wednesday: 39°F, thawing nicely by the afternoon.

• Rest of the week: Mild, dry—perfect for cruising groomers.

⛷️ Lifts Update at Mammoth:

• Total lifts: 25

• Scheduled lifts: 21

• Closed lifts: 4

Big Bear & Mountain High Quick Hits 🌞

Big Bear:

• Dry and mild with temps hitting 52°F on Thursday. Feels more like spring break than mid-winter.

Mountain High:

• Mild temps, peaking at 50°F on Wednesday. Think soft snow under sunny skies.

Bottom Line 🏔️

I want to trust everyone on the slopes. But gear theft is real, and losing skis is more than an inconvenience—it’s a mountain buzzkill. Invest in a small lock, and you’ll ski more and worry less.

Because at the end of the day: Better safe than locked out of your next run. 🎿🔒

What’s your take on locking gear? Have you ever had something swiped? Drop your thoughts below or forward this to your ski crew—let’s keep each other in the know.

Ski smart. Ski safe. Find your flow. 🏂✨

Sasha Everett & the Ski So Cal Insiders

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