Replying to Loopholes shipping to canada

I'm in need of some advice
Im trying to find the cheapest way to ship some skis to canada from the states

Now i've been told to mark it as a gift to avoid taxes, what else can i do? how can i avoid all the border fees? I shipped skis before, to about the same distance but in the country, with my dads fedex account, and its was $15. i know im going to run into some sorta fees, but how can i keep them as low as possible?

also. i work for a ski shop. they obviously do a lot of business shipping skis. do you think it would be alright to ask them if i can use their shipping (i would pay of course) because they probably get a hookup with UPS (or who ever). i haven't been working there that long, but i will clock a lot of time over the summer and im in no rush to ship anything.