You’re on the second day of a week-long ski trip. You followed your crazy, adrenaline filled buddy off a trail and ended up doing some damage to your planks. You don’t inspect the damage until it’s too late to take it to the ski shop and you certainly don’t want to waste time tomorrow getting the skis fixed. It’s dumping and you’re determined to get first tracks! With the right stuff and a little know-how you’ll never have to fear again.

Touch-Up Wax: This is a must for overnighters and even a good idea for day trips. Most varieties come in a convenient applicator not so different than a stick of deodorant. Simply rub on the wax and then smooth it out with the cork provided.

Pocket Edger: This small file is great for tuning your edges on the fly. There are several styles and most do not come with good directions, so ask the shop clerk or watch an online video before using one.

Ratchet Tool: A must for snowboarders but a handy item for skiers too. Great for adjusting bindings and making sure the mounting screws are snug.

Duct Tape: Wrap a few yards around a ski pole or carry a small role in your ski pack or coat pocket. Make sure you have at least enough to circle around your ski boot three times. If you blow a buckle, wrap the almighty duct tape around your boot and you should make it to the bottom of the hill safely.

P-Tex, Disposable Lighter, & Razor Blade: To fix a nasty gouge in the base of your ski or board you’ll need this stuff. You have to set the candle on fire and let the melted plastic drip into the hole. Allow to dry, then carefully shave down the excess so it’s flush with the base. Again, something you might want to bone up on with a video before trying it on your own.

Epoxy Putty & Sandpaper: Got a ding in the top of your ski, a damaged tip, tail, or a ripped out edge? This is what you need. The two part putty that you can cut and kneed is easy to use and not messy. Use it to spackle your damaged area or re-affix the damaged edge, allow to dry and harden, then carefully sand out the excess so it is even. The edger and wax may be necessary if you’ve had to fix a problem area on the base.

Lubricant Oil: A small tube is great to fix a squeaky binding, stiff buckle, stuck binding screw, or sticky zipper. Just a drop is usually all you need.

Pliers/Wire Cutter Tool: Pliers are good if you need to keep pressure on a nut while you use the ratchet tool on a screw. They can also be used to bend a ski brake back to its correct position. The wire cutters are great for snipping lift ticket wire and plastic wickets or, the metal of the ski/board edge should it somehow become detached from the base.

All of the items can fit into a small pouch and don’t take up much room in a ski bag or backpack. Some items may need to be procured from a ski shop while others can be found in the hardware store. Keep them all handy in the event you have an equipment disaster. If you do, now you have the stuff to keep you on the slopes. You’ll have to make up a good story to recount the tale of your epic fail. We can’t help you with that.