🎿 Your Future Ski Self Will Thank You For This

Hey Ski Fam,

Last weekend I walked into my garage looking for a beach chair.

I never found the chair.

What I did find was a ski glove.

Just one. No partner. No explanation. No clue how it got there. It was sitting behind a box of Christmas decorations like it had been abandoned by its family.

And honestly?

That lonely glove reminded me of something.

Most skiers are terrible at putting away their gear. 😆

Every spring we make the same promise. This year I'm going to organize everything. Then summer arrives. The skis get tossed into one corner. The boots land somewhere else. The goggles disappear into witness protection.

By the time winter comes back around, we're conducting a full-scale search operation through the garage.

🏔️ Next Winter Starts Long Before The First Snowfall

Most skiers think next season starts when the first storm hits.

The mountain knows better.

Next season starts right now.

Every year I hear the same stories. A missing glove. A cracked helmet strap. Rusty ski edges. Moldy boot liners. A pair of goggles that somehow spent six months buried under camping gear and pool toys.

The funny thing is these problems don't happen on opening day.

Opening day is simply when we discover them.

That's why I think summer is secretly part of ski season. The lifts may have stopped spinning, but your future ski days are already being shaped by what you do with your gear today.

🎿 The Great Garage Treasure Hunt

A few years ago I was getting ready for my first Mammoth trip of the season. The forecast looked fantastic. My friends were already texting about first chair. I was counting down the days.

Then I pulled my gear out of storage.

Immediately, things went sideways.

One glove was missing. One boot buckle was stuck. My skis looked dry. And somehow an old granola bar had fused itself to the bottom of my ski bag.

To this day, I have no idea how long it had been there. Let's just say it looked old enough to qualify for a museum exhibit. 😂

Instead of dreaming about powder turns, I spent the next few days replacing gear, cleaning equipment, and trying to remember where I'd hidden everything six months earlier.

That was the year I learned a simple lesson.

The best opening days are planned long before winter arrives.

☀️ A Few Minutes Now Saves A Lot Of Frustration Later

Now I have a simple summer routine. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Just a few habits that make life easier when snow starts falling again.

First, I clean my skis and wipe away dirt, grime, and moisture that can cause problems over time. Then I add a thick coat of storage wax and leave it on all summer. Think of it as sunscreen for your ski bases. 😎

Next come the boots. I open every buckle and let everything dry completely before putting them away. Because if you've ever opened a damp ski boot after months in storage, you know that smell never introduces itself politely.

I also lightly buckle the boots before storing them. Not tight. Not loose. Just enough to help them keep their shape.

Then I gather all the small stuff. Gloves. Goggles. Neck gaiters. Hand warmers. Random ski socks that somehow lose their partner every season.

Everything goes into one storage bin.

Every year I tell myself I'll remember where everything is.

Every year I prove myself wrong.

🌲 Future You Is Counting On Present You

The funny thing is this newsletter isn't really about gear.

It's about removing stress.

When the first big storm hits next winter, nobody wants to spend the weekend searching for equipment. Nobody wants to discover a broken buckle at 5:00 in the morning. Nobody wants to replace gear they already owned but can't find.

We want one thing.

Snow.

Turns.

Friends.

And that feeling you get when you click into your bindings for the first run of the season.

The easier we make that moment, the better our winter starts.

That's why I think gear storage is really an investment in future fun. A little effort now creates a lot less frustration later.

Before you close the garage door this week, ask yourself three questions:

• What gear needs attention?

• What gear needs replacing?

• What gear do I always lose?

Write the answers down.

Future you will feel like a genius.

Trust me.

December Sasha is always grateful for June Sasha.

🎿 Big Lesson: Respect The Off-Season

Most people think ski season ends when the snow melts.

I don't.

I think the mountain simply changes the assignment.

Winter is for skiing.

Summer is for preparing.

The skiers who enjoy the smoothest opening days are rarely the luckiest. They're simply the most prepared.

Sometimes a great ski season starts with a powder day.

Sometimes it starts with cleaning out the garage.

The mountain rewards preparation.

Even in June.

✨ Summer Proverb

"The skier who respects the off-season enjoys the on-season twice as much."

🔮 Next Week: The Biggest Fitness Mistake SoCal Skiers Make Every Summer

Think your ski legs can survive six months on the couch?

Your quads have some thoughts about that.

Next week I'll share:

• The biggest mistake weekend warriors make every summer

• Why balance matters more than strength

• My favorite 10-minute ski workout

• How to show up stronger on opening day

💌 Quick Question

What's the strangest thing you've ever found in your ski bag after summer storage?

Hit reply and tell me.

Bonus points if it involved old snacks, mystery smells, or missing gloves.

If this reminded you to finally organize your gear, save this newsletter for your next garage cleanout—or share it with a ski buddy whose equipment is currently buried somewhere under holiday decorations.

Stay cool.

Stay organized.

And don't trust yourself when you say, "I'll remember where I put that." 😎🎿

– Sasha Everett

P.S. We're building a crew of adventure-lovers like you—because more readers means more perks, like exclusive discounts and insider gear deals. Know someone who loves wildflowers, spring skiing, or just fresh air? 🌞 Send them this newsletter and invite them to subscribe at 👉- https://skisocalinsider.com/