Ski Maintenance Before Winter at Collet d’Allevard

Winter is approaching at Collet d’Allevard, and before the season really gets underway, now is the perfect time to pull your skis out of the garage and check how they’ve held up over the summer.

A faded base, slightly dull edges, small scratches you forgot about at the end of last season… it’s better to take care of them now rather than on the first Saturday of snow, when everyone else is thinking of doing the same thing.

A quick stop at the workshop before the rush ensures you’ll start the season with properly prepared gear and avoid any unpleasant surprises when it’s time to strap in.

At Collet d’Allevard, equipment maintenance has been part of our craft for generations. At our Intersport Le Chamois d’Or and Les Arolles stores, we service and repair skis and snowboards so you can enjoy the mountains to the fullest.

But how do you know if your skis need maintenance? What’s the difference between waxing and edge sharpening? What can actually be repaired? And what happens when you drop off your gear at the workshop?

Why should you maintain your skis regularly?

The base and edges are put to the test every day you ski.

Hard snow, icy patches, changing conditions, areas with less snow, or small pebbles: over time, your gear changes and naturally begins to show signs of wear and tear.

Proper maintenance helps keep the base in good condition, ensures good glide, and maintains edges that are effective enough when conditions call for more grip.

So there’s no need to wait until your skis are badly damaged before taking care of them.

How can you tell if your skis need maintenance?

There are several signs that are fairly easy to spot.

A base that lacks wax tends to turn whitish. This is usually a sign that it’s drying out and needs maintenance.

Scratches, marks, holes, or dents are also things to watch for. They often appear after contact with rocks or when skiing in areas with less snow.

You should also check the edges. If they show marks, signs of rust, or if you feel they’ve lost their grip, sharpening may be necessary.

And if you’re unsure, the easiest thing to do is show us your skis: the condition of the equipment allows us to determine much more precisely what maintenance is actually needed.

Waxing: Maintaining the Base and Restoring Good Glide

Waxing is probably the best-known maintenance task.

It involves applying wax to the base to maintain it and improve its glide performance.

A base that has become dry or whitish is usually a good indicator. You may also notice a difference right on the snow when the ski doesn’t glide as easily as before.

Waxing therefore helps both maintain the base and ensure a smooth ride on the slopes.

Sharpening: Restoring Grip on Hard Snow

The edges are the metal parts located on either side of the ski or snowboard.

They play an essential role in providing grip, especially when the snow becomes hard or icy.

It is precisely these conditions that put the most strain on the edges: the skier must rely on them more to gain grip and control their lines.

Skiing through areas with little snow can also take a heavy toll on them, especially when they come into contact with rocks or other terrain features.

Conversely, fresh, sufficiently deep snow is generally much less harsh on the equipment.

Sharpening therefore allows you to restore the edges when they have lost their effectiveness and regain more precise grip.

How often should you wax or sharpen your skis?

There is no one-size-fits-all frequency.

It depends mainly on how the equipment is used, the skier’s skill level, and the snow conditions encountered.

A regular skier who spends day after day on hard slopes or in conditions with little snow will put much more wear and tear on their equipment than someone who only skis two or three times a year.

Rather than counting the exact number of outings, we therefore recommend keeping a close eye on the condition of your equipment.

A discolored base, visible scratches or dents, worn edges, or a loss of grip are generally good indicators that a visit to the repair shop is necessary.

Can a scratched or damaged base be repaired?

In many cases, yes.

The most common repairs involve bases damaged by rocks. Certain scratches or holes can be filled with a suitable material.

Once the repair is complete, the excess material is removed and the base is reworked to restore a properly level surface.

But the shop doesn’t just handle bases. Depending on the issue, we can also work on edges, bindings, and various other components of your gear.

It’s difficult to provide an exhaustive list of possible repairs: every pair of skis or snowboard arrives with its own history and condition.

So we always start by examining the equipment to determine what can be repaired and what maintenance is actually needed.

Waxing, edge sharpening, or a full service: which should you choose?

Not all skis require the same treatment.

A base that’s in good condition but has become dry may essentially just need waxing.

Edges that have lost their effectiveness will likely require sharpening.

A base that is heavily scratched or has impact marks will require more work, possibly including repair, leveling, sharpening, waxing, and finishing.

Our approach is simple: first assess the equipment, then take action based on its actual condition.

There’s no need to perform a full service when a few targeted procedures are sufficient.

What exactly do the machines in our workshop do?

Maintenance equipment has evolved significantly over the years. Today, several machines allow us to perform each step with precision.

The sander

It’s used, in particular, after a soleplate repair.

When holes or scratches have been filled by overmolding, the sander removes the excess material and properly levels the sole.

The sharpening robot

It allows for very precise edge sharpening.

Settings can be adjusted based on the type of ski, the skier’s skill level, and the desired result.

A ski intended for a casual skier does not necessarily require the same preparation as equipment intended for an experienced skier.

The waxing machine

It applies wax evenly to the base to maintain it and improve glide performance.

Stone finishing

This involves a more thorough treatment of the base.

The stone creates very fine textures on the surface. These small grooves help drain water that forms beneath the ski and improve glide performance.

Machines therefore allow for precise work, but they do not replace a professional assessment: before any work is done, you must first determine what the skis actually need.

How much time should you set aside for ski maintenance?

It all depends on the work required.

A simple waxing can be done quickly, in just a few minutes.

A complete service—including base repair, sanding, edge sharpening, waxing, and finishing—naturally takes more time.

That’s why we primarily schedule maintenance outside of business hours.

Drop off your skis in the evening and pick them up the next morning

This is how our workshop in Collet d’Allevard typically operates.

You can enjoy your day on the slopes as usual and then drop off your skis or snowboard at the end of the day.

Maintenance and repair work is then generally carried out in the evening at the workshop so that your gear can be picked up the very next morning.

This is especially convenient for vacationers: you don’t lose a day of skiing while waiting for your gear to be serviced.

For one-time needs or emergency repairs, some quicker services can also be performed during the day.

What about snowboards?

Of course.

We service both skis and snowboards.

Base repairs, edge sharpening, waxing, and finishing: the major procedures are similar, though adjustments and care are, of course, tailored to snowboards.

If your board has scratches, a dry base, or edges that lack grip, you can also drop it off at the workshop.

Before your first outing of the winter: the perfect time to check your gear

Have your skis been sitting in the garage, basement, or in their bag for several months?

Before your first day of the season, take a few minutes to check their condition.

Check the base, the edges, any signs of rust, any impacts you may have overlooked at the end of last season, and the overall condition of the bindings.

Right now, before the rush of the first big ski days, is the easiest time to stop by the shop.

That way, you can start the season with your gear already prepped, rather than discovering a problem on the morning of your first outing.

And after the last day of skiing?

A few precautions at the end of the season will also help preserve your gear over the summer.

After your last outing, be sure to let your skis or snowboard dry thoroughly before storing them.

This is also a good time to inspect the base and edges. Having repairs or maintenance done before several months of storage can prevent you from discovering minor damage—overlooked in the spring—at the start of the following winter.

A workshop right in Collet d’Allevard

Having a repair shop right in the resort offers a very practical advantage.

Whether it’s an edge that’s losing grip after a few days on hard snow, a base marked by a pebble, or a snowboard that’s starting to glide less smoothly, you can simply drop by and show us your gear during your stay.

Our teams welcome you at the Intersport Le Chamois d’Or and Les Arolles stores, in the heart of Collet d’Allevard.

We’ll inspect your gear, work with you to determine exactly what needs to be done, and arrange for the service so you can get back on the slopes as quickly as possible.

Over 60 years of skiing at Le Collet… that’s quite a bit of experience

For the Béranger family, skiing at Le Collet goes way back.

Since the resort’s early days, three generations have witnessed the evolution of skis, boots, bindings, maintenance techniques, and the machines used in the workshops.

The equipment has changed dramatically.

The concept, however, hasn’t changed much: skis that are properly fitted, correctly adjusted, and well-maintained simply let you enjoy your day on the mountain more fully.

It’s this experience that we continue to share today.

Need to have your skis or snowboard serviced at Collet d’Allevard?

Just stop by and see us with your gear.

Waxing, edge sharpening, base repairs, inspections, or a full service: we’ll start by assessing the condition of your gear before recommending the service that’s right for you.

And if you don’t have your own gear, our stores also offer ski and snowboard rentals for all skill levels.

Intersport Le Collet d’Allevard – Le Chamois d’Or & Les Arolles

Place Marcel Dumas – Le Collet d’Allevard

Ski and snowboard maintenance, repair, and rentals in the heart of the resort.