Ski Opening Day Checklist

The first chair of the season is the best day of the year — unless your boots don't fit, your bindings are set wrong, or you forgot your gloves. Run through these 12 things before opening day.

1. 01

   Try your boots on at home

   Wear them for 20 minutes with your ski socks. Liners pack out and feet change — if anything pinches now, it'll be agony by lunch.

2. 02

   Check your bindings and DIN

   Make sure the DIN still matches your weight, height and ability. Use our DIN calculator as a starting point, then have a shop verify it.

3. 03

   Wax (or tune) your skis

   Summer storage dries out bases. A fresh hot wax makes early-season man-made snow far more forgiving.

4. 04

   Inspect edges for rust and burrs

   Early-season coverage is thin. Sharp, clean edges matter on firm, groomed opening-day runs.

5. 05

   Buy or load your pass early

   Many passes and lift tickets are cheaper online in advance, and window lines on opening day are long.

6. 06

   Find your goggles, gloves and helmet

   Check goggle lenses for scratches and helmet straps for wear. Replace a helmet after a significant impact.

7. 07

   Plan your layers

   Opening day is often cold and windy. Base layer, mid layer, shell — skip the cotton.

8. 08

   Pack snacks and water

   Lodges are packed on day one. A granola bar in your pocket saves your afternoon.

9. 09

   Check the resort's open terrain

   Early-season openings are usually a few groomed runs on man-made snow. Know what's open before you drive.

10. 10

    Warm up your legs

    A couple of weeks of squats, lunges and wall sits makes the first day far less painful.

11. 11

    Take an easy first run

    Shake off the rust on a green or easy blue. Crowded, firm runs are where opening-day injuries happen.

12. 12

    Know when to call it

    Most injuries happen on the 'one last run.' Leave the mountain wanting more.