Get ready for winter: Check your ski touring equipment now

The Ski Touring Season Is Just Around the Corner – Time to Get Your Gear Ready. Whether it’s skis, bindings, or avalanche safety equipment: a professional gear check at Sport Conrad ensures you’re fully prepared from the very first day of snow.

Autumn has arrived. Cool nights and colorful leaves are already making ski tourers’ hearts beat a little faster. Anticipation builds – unmistakable signs that winter is approaching. And with it, the perfect moment to take your equipment out of the basement and have it thoroughly checked by the ski experts at Sport Conrad. Because as exciting as the anticipation may be: only reliable equipment allows you to start the season safely and confidently.

 

WHY A GEAR CHECK IS ESSENTIAL

Even if your skis, bindings, and avalanche equipment still look fine, small defects or wear can develop after a long season or improper or extended storage. Worn climbing skins, dull edges, cracks in plastic parts, or incorrectly adjusted bindings can quickly become serious safety risks.

The same applies to your avalanche safety equipment: batteries age, airbag systems require maintenance. An avalanche transceiver or airbag backpack that doesn’t function in an emergency is simply not an option.

 

Two ski tourers ascending in sunshine with a mountain panorama in the background.

To ensure everything runs smoothly on tour, a thorough pre-season gear check is highly recommended. Photo: Sport Conrad

 

How Confident Are You With Your Avalanche Transceiver & Airbag System?

We all hope we’ll never have to use our avalanche transceiver or airbag system in an emergency. But what if we do? How familiar and confident are you with your safety equipment?

Our recommendation: take a refresher course at the beginning of the season – or book a professional avalanche safety course if you haven’t done one yet. The knowledge you gain will help you move more safely in alpine terrain and manage avalanche situations effectively if the worst happens:
quickly, efficiently, and with confidence.

We regularly host safety events – feel free to check out our event page for upcoming dates.

 

SKI TOURING GEAR CHECK: YOUR BENEFITS AT SPORT CONRAD

At Sport Conrad, experienced experts take care of your complete ski touring setup. On site, we check:

  • Touring skis – depending on the selected service: base repairs, edge tuning, waxing, binding mounting or adjustment

  • Touring bindings – professional inspection for wear, correct settings, and release values (where applicable)

  • Climbing skins – adhesive performance and glue residue for optimal grip and traction on the ascent

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR SKI EXPERTS IN GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN

1. Why is it important to check not only skis, but also avalanche safety equipment before the season starts?

In general, all equipment should be checked before the first ski day to ensure it functions reliably in an emergency. For avalanche transceivers, this includes checking for software updates and installing them if necessary, so the device is fully operational when it matters most.

Probes should also be tested – especially whether they deploy smoothly and whether any components are cracked or damaged. For avalanche backpacks or airbag systems, cartridge pressure, electronic trigger mechanisms, and the airbag itself are checked for leaks, holes, or tears.

Woman removes fur while ski touring

You should also check the adhesion of the skins before the season starts. Photo: Sport Conrad

 

2. What typical signs of wear or “hidden defects” do you most often find in skis, bindings, and avalanche transceivers?

With bindings, we often find that they no longer sit securely, resulting in incorrect forward pressure. Incorrect DIN (Z) settings are also common and can lead to unwanted release in the worst case. Bent ski brakes are another frequent issue, preventing proper function during a fall.

On skis, typical wear appears on the base – scratches or dull edges that reduce grip. Often the wrong wax, or no wax at all, has been used. This is noticeable when the base appears white and no longer glides properly. Over time, skis may also lose stiffness, leading to reduced tension and performance.

For avalanche transceivers, empty batteries or missing software updates are common issues. Display readability and button functionality should also always be checked.

 

3. What is the advantage of professional service at Sport Conrad compared to home maintenance?

The biggest advantage is the expertise and experience of our specialists. They know exactly which materials require which type of service and what to look for in skis, bindings, and waxing. We also have the proper tools and machines to work with precision.

Another key benefit is the TÜV-certified binding test, where both DIN settings and the release mechanism are professionally checked. Handcraft also plays an important role – for example, when applying infrared wax. Overall, our customers benefit from years of experience and in-depth know-how in ski touring equipment.

 

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