Wax your skis and dry your skates before storage.

Yes, a little end-of-season prep saves you from rusty blades and ruined bases. The process is simple and takes maybe an hour across all your gear.

For skis and snowboards: Start with a good cleaning. Wipe off dirt and old wax with a base cleaner or warm water. Let them dry completely. Then apply a fresh layer of storage wax — and don’t scrape it off. The wax layer protects the base from drying out and oxidation over the summer. Store them in a cool, dry place, upright or flat. Not leaning against a radiator or in a damp basement. Loosen the bindings a few clicks to reduce spring tension.

For ice skates: The biggest enemy is rust. Dry the blades thoroughly after every use, but before storage, give them a wipe with a clean cloth and maybe a light coat of machine oil on the blade’s edge (be careful not to get oil on the boot). Remove the guards and store the skates in a ventilated bag or with the blades exposed to air. Never store them in a closed skate bag while damp — that’s how you get rust and smelly boots.

A general rule: If it touches snow or ice, it needs to be dry before sitting for months. Humidity is the enemy.

Future you will appreciate not having to replace corroded edges or scrape off crusty wax come first powder day.