Have you ever opened your board bag and almost been knocked clean off your feet by an odour so strong it made your nose bleed? An odour that smells similar to a freshly exploding badger on a hot summer’s day? If you’re nodding your head about now then you suffer from something nearly all us snowboarders are afflicted by – the curse of the stinky snowboard boot. We hope we can lead you down the fragrant path of freshness to a place called ‘Booty Licious’

– Snowboard boots tend to spend all day squelching around in snow. Because of this they obviously get soaking wet and by the time you take them off after riding, they can be totally drenched… inside and out.

– As soon as you get back to where you’re staying get those boots off. A decent pair should have a removable liner – unlace the boot and take this out. A common mistake here is to find the hottest radiator and whack your liners on top of it – no, no, no… this will turn your liners into a shape resembling a wizard’s hat and may render them useless. Instead, put your liners close enough to the heat so they will dry but not on it.

– To help keep the liners dry and to eek out a bit of the pongy sniff, stuff the liners with some tissue paper or newspaper. This also can help to keep the shape of the liners. Do the same with the outer shell of the boot and put them close to the heat, again being careful not to get them too hot. If you’re feeling really snazzy, buy a sack of silica gel from your local snowboard store and stuff them in – this’ll keep ‘em really dry.

– One very simple way of trying to keep your boots fragrant is to wear a fresh pair of socks everyday. Now I’m sure some of you are thinking – ‘Who does this Wally think I am – the Sultan of Brunei?’ Most of us go away for about a week – seven pairs of socks isn’t too bad… better than having a bag that smells like you’re an international Camembert smuggler.

– As an alternative to the Sultan’s tip above, you could give your socks a quick wash and dry them out for a new day of shredding. This may make your accommodation smell a bit ripe though, so be warned.

– Invest in some shoe spray before you leave. ‘Kiwi Fresh Force’ is available from most UK supermarkets and is cleverly shaped to allow maximum spray into the deepest corners of your boots. Oh yes, your mates may guffaw when you whap this shiz out but rest assured you’ll have the last laugh.

– After a weeks snow time don’t just throw your boots straight into the darkest reaches of your cupboard or loft. Take out the liners and make sure they are dry – if you put them away even a little wet then like fine French Brie they will only ripen over time.

– May your trotters rest in a bed of roses from now on.