How to store your ski equipment over summer

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The lifts shut in the Three Valleys yesterday (8 May). Sadly, all good things must come to an end, but at least we get to do it all over again in a little over 7 months time. While 7 months isn’t long to wait, it is a long time for equipment to be packed away, gathering dust (or mould). So, if you’re about to pack your ski kit away for the summer season, here are our top tips for storing your ski equipment over the summer break to keep it in great shape.

1. Make sure all clothing is clean and dry. 

This might sound obvious, but all it takes is a little moisture in your jacket, or a rogue chocolate in your pocket, for your ski clothing to gather mould over the summer and attract little critters. To make sure this doesn’t happen, check all your pockets carefully and leave it to air fully before you pack it away. And, if you decide it needs a bit of a clean, make sure you wash it on a cool wash, and consider adding some water proofing treatment to make sure you stay dry on the slopes next year.

2. Prep your skis for a summer in storage

Firstly, you’ll want to make sure your skis are clean and dry to prevent rust. On the flipside, your ski bases can quickly dry out over the summer, especially if it gets particularly warm. To prolong the life of your skis, either make sure they’ve been recently waxed, or better still, add a summer storage wax – essentially, applying a thick layer of wax without scraping any off. You can either get this done in a ski or snowsports shop, or your local decathlon. Or, if you’re super keen, do it yourself at home using a bar of wax and an old iron. Skis are best stored somewhere cool and dry. It’s also best practice to loosen your ski bindings a few turns, to take the tension off.

3. Clean and dry your ski boots

Ski boots are an important investment for your skiing enjoyment, so you’ll want to look after them to keep them in great shape. Before you pack ski boots away for the summer, make sure the outer shells are clean and dry. And remove the liners and footbeds and dry them out fully. 

Once everything is clean and dry, put the liners and footbeds back into the shell, making sure the tongue is positioned straight and do the buckles up loosely. To ensure that no moisture is allowed to build up you can add one of the little packets you get when you buy new clothing. Or, a herbal tea bag is a great alternative – with the added benefit of a lovely smell!

4. Ensure your avalanche safety pack is ready for storage

If you ski off piste and have an avalanche safety pack, you’ll want to ensure this is stored well too. As with the other kit, make sure everything is clean and dry. And remove the batteries from your transceiver.

 

So there you have it, our top tips to keep your ski gear and ski clothing in the best shape over summer, ready to hit the slopes again next winter.

Hiking in the French Alps – Best Day Hikes in La Tania

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Think the French Alps are just for winter holidays? Think again. The mountains are just as stunning in the summer as they are in winter. Lush greenery, beautiful lakes at the base of mountains and tons of activities to keep you busy.

One of our favourite ways to enjoy the Alps in summer is hiking. If you’re thinking of heading to the French Alps this summer, you’ll definitely want to spend some time exploring the trails.

Why go hiking in the French Alps?

A place that feels very familiar when it’s covered in snow can look totally different once it’s melted. Getting out into the fresh air and enjoying the stunning scenery of the Alps in the summer is best done on a hike. Plus you might find some wild strawberries or raspberries, spot a marmot or other wildlife, or stumble across some unique plants.

And what’s great about hiking in the French Alps is you can find the perfect trail suited to your ability. So if you’re after a leisurely stroll around the lake or a heart-pumping uphill challenge, there’s something for everyone.

 

Best Day Hikes in La Tania

Here are our favourite hikes in and around La Tania.

Le Bouc Blanc

  • 1 – 1.5hrs to the top
  • Moderate

Hike straight up from La Tania to the top of the gondola. This starts on a trail behind the Ski Lodge and winds through the forest alongside the Folyeres piste. If you head up the right time of summer you’ll find wild raspberries growing along the path.

The end is a bit steep, but you pop out at the top of the piste and can head to Le Bouc Blanc for a beverage or some food (yep, they’re open in the summer too). The best part about this one? You can take the gondola down afterwards!

Teppes Trail

  • 1hr
  • Easy

This hike starts in the same spot that the Bouc Blanc hike did, but instead of heading left, you’ll head right and wrap around towards Méribel. This is a nice shaded walk through the forest. You’ll find a nice picnic spot with a view, and you’ll get to Méribel by a new means of transportation.

hiking french alps le bouc blanc summer la tania

Lac de Tueda

  • 30min around the lake
  • Easy

This stunning lake in Méribel Mottaret is not one to be missed. A stroll around Lac de Tueda is more of a walk than a hike, on flat, easy terrain and loops around the lake. And just a 10min walk from the parking, it’s easy to access.

You can continue up past the lake and take the trail further onto steeper terrain. You’ll hike past gorges and you can go deep into the valley. This is where you might even spot some marmots.

Dent du Villard

  • 2.5 – 3hrs to the top
  • Moderately Strenuous

This hike starts from Lac La Rosière in Courchevel 1650. This is definitely a more challenging hike and is quite steep during parts, however, once you get to the top it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll have 360 views of the entire area, and there’s also stunning landscape at the top. Tons of beautiful flowers and greenery, along with unique rock and holes in the mountain. You might even find a small pile of snow still hanging on for dear life!

We recommend going on a cooler day because there is little coverage on the hike up – you’ll be in the sun. There are two different routes up, so you can take a different way down than you came up. Bring a baguette sandwich to eat at the top, or have a barbecue down by the lake afterwards.

Hiking French Alps river flowers mountain views

Spend an evening in a Refuge

Want to head out on a bigger hiking adventure? One of the coolest perks of hiking in the French Alps are the mountain refuges. Courchevel has a few different refuges tucked throughout the mountain. Some are manned where they provide board for you, and others are un-manned and you’ll need to bring all your food and drink in with you. This is definitely an experience to try at least once!

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If spending some sunny, warm days in the Alps this summer has piqued your interest, then find out more.  You can rent out our chalets in the summertime from July 6 – Aug 31. And even better? All the lifts are free.