Local outdoor retailer Backcountry Essentials is offering tuning workshops for skiers and snowboarders where participants will learn how to maintain their gear. The workshop is a great way to get together with the ski community in Bellingham and offers skills for people eager to learn.
Billy Reeves, recreation coordinator for the City of Bellingham, is working with Backcountry Essentials to organize these events.
“We saw that there was a lack of ski tuning workshops,” Reeves said. “We reached out to Backcountry Essentials, and the pros there were totally on board with it.”
Backcountry Essentials is offering these workshops for $20 on Feb. 19 and March 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is available through the city's website.
“It comes down to having a connection with your gear and knowing how everything works,” Reeves said. “It's not just about having that knowledge. It's about going to learn from community members and creating that bond.”
Skiing brings people together, which is one of the goals of this workshop.
“I think the best part about going to Mount Baker is knowing you might see your neighbor up there,” Reeves said.
Maintaining your gear can be rewarding for your skiing or riding experience and keep you having fun on the slopes.
“Generally, when it comes to waxing, it's mainly to reduce the amount of friction between the board and the mountain below you,” said Aidan Dow, first-year Western student and snowboarder. “When you don't wax, you tend to get stuck.”
Sharpening your edges also helps you on the hill, keeping you from potentially hurting yourself or someone else, and helps you carve while you turn.
“You sharpen your board mainly so you carve better, turn better and stop easier,” Dow said.
There are several consequences that come with not maintaining your gear, which can lead to damage and lower the lifespan of your ski or snowboard.
“It can prevent some scratches and can keep your edges from getting rusty,” Dow said. “I've always made it a point to maintain my board.”
Kegan Thompson, head ski tech at Backcountry Essentials, led the first workshop on Jan. 15, kicking off the first of three.
“A huge focus of our shop has been being rooted in the community, and I think offering this is a great way to show some community care,” Thompson said.
During the workshops, attendees can expect to learn more about their gear and what can be done to make their skis more suited to their skiing style. In the first workshop, attendees learned how to wax their skis and sharpen their edges properly.
“It's a fun mix of talking about how and why we do things and then getting into working with the gear,” Thompson said.
What it all comes down to is community and bringing people together, which during the dark months of winter is essential.
“It's about getting out and enjoying nature with your friends or family in the dark months,” Thompson said.
These workshops are a great option for those who are looking to connect with their gear more or those who are looking to find ski buddies and other people in the community.
“We're totally stoked to be partnered with Backcountry Essentials and give this opportunity to the community,” Reeves said. “We're excited to see where it takes us.”
Beck Hanson (he/him) is a junior at WWU working towards his journalism (public relations) degree. He is a sports reporter for The Front. In his free time, he enjoys skiing at Mt. Baker. You can reach him at beckhanson.thefront@gmail.com
