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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Tips on carrying skis on plane

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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,788
Hey NS,
So in January I'll be going out west (to Breckinridge) and I need some tips on carrying my skis and boots on
the plane. I have never brought ski gear on a plane, so tips would be appreciated. Such as would ski and boot bags be a good idea, etc.
thanks
11 years ago
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
Ski bag. /thread.
11 years ago
34 1
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CashBrah
Posts: 185 - Karma: 825
Depending on what flight your on there is a carry on size limit. I dont think your going to be able to carry them onto the plane, your probably going to have to pay a fee and include them in your regular luggage. Make sure they are in a bag or wrapped in tape and bubble wrap.
11 years ago
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seanahue.
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 3,374
1. get a ski bag that has rollers. padded, and double-wide if you can afford it. jam as much of your other non-breakable gear in there as you can (pants, jackets, socks, etc)

2. try to protect your brakes when packing stuff into your ski bag. they are the most vulnerable part of a ski, even when packed away.

3. always carry-on your boots. that way, even if shit hits the fan and they lose your ski bag, at least you don't have to rent boots. i carry-on my goggles too since they're somewhat fragile
11 years ago
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stinkypinky
Posts: 126 - Karma: 498
seanahue.1. get a ski bag that has rollers. padded, and double-wide if you can afford it. jam as much of your other non-breakable gear in there as you can (pants, jackets, socks, etc)

2. try to protect your brakes when packing stuff into your ski bag. they are the most vulnerable part of a ski, even when packed away.

3. always carry-on your boots. that way, even if shit hits the fan and they lose your ski bag, at least you don't have to rent boots. i carry-on my goggles too since they're somewhat fragile


This, but if it cost is an important factor, don't cram everything into your bag so that it weighs a shit ton. Most airlines allow for a 50lb checked bag, anything over and they charge you for going over.
11 years ago
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skiersupreme
Posts: 1549 - Karma: 4,872
get a ski bag bud.
hope to see you out here this season!
11 years ago
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dg433
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
seanahue.3. always carry-on your boots. that way, even if shit hits the fan and they lose your ski bag, at least you don't have to rent boots. i carry-on my goggles too since they're somewhat fragile


I always carry my boots + 1 pair of ski clothes in my boot bag (ski coat drapes between the straps on top), just in case they delay the bag, you don't miss a day (or 2) of skiing.

I use a Dakine double bag with lots of padding like this one (http://www.dakine.com/p/backpacks-and-gear/gear-bags/snowboard/high-roller).

I travel about 5-7 times per year, and have already lost a pair of skis to breakage (thanks delta!), so have learned not to skimp on the bag.

Also very important to inspect your skis as soon as you get them. When my skis where broken, I had just gotten home and was tired as shit, so just left the skis in the bag. 2 weeks later when I got them out, discovered one was broken, and you only have 48 hours after landing to submit a claim, so I was shit out of luck
11 years ago
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,788
skiersupremeget a ski bag bud.
hope to see you out here this season!

Ya man I can't wait! Thanks for all the help guys!
11 years ago
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
Ski bag, boot bag

Stow ski bag, carry on boot bag
11 years ago
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
Get a ski bag, with some support, pack shit everywhere in that bitch. Get a boot bag, carry that on along with your helmet and some non ski clothes.
11 years ago
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
Bring your skis on the plane and sit the bag across your lap so it covers the other seats and sticks out in the aisle. People will understand.
11 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14038 - Karma: 50,729
I usually just have one ski bag for all my stuff, I don't use a boot bag. I'll have my skis, boots, helmet, and poles in that bag. Then I pack as much of my softgoods in there as possible. Like my pants, hats, gloves, hoodies, jacket, base layers etc. I've managed to fit it all in no problem and then packed the rest of my clothes and other stuff in a suitcase and carry-on.

If you fly southwest you can check your skis in for free and then you still get 2 free bags(I think. It might be 1 though)
11 years ago
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 638
Ski bag and I just velcro my powerstraps together and throw my boots over my backpack and carry them on.
11 years ago
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,185
^^all those people don't know what they are talking about just wear all your ski stuff on the plane including boots and skis wrap your based in some blankets so they don't get screwed up by walking around in them.
11 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
I just fling my skis in the bag with boots and jackets, gloves, etc.., helmet in my carry-on.
I almost hope that my bagage is delayed since my credit card then literally throws money at my face and airlines such as Swiss will also fling money at you.

Free money.

Hell, the one time Schiphol fucked up, Swiss had my skibag taxi'd over all the way from Geneva airport.
11 years ago
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Flyingnugget
Posts: 487 - Karma: 221
put some bright green tape on your bag so you can spot it as well.
11 years ago
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
You will definitely need to check your skis, you wouldn't necessarily need to check your boots. I recommend checking both though. Most major airlines consider a ski bag and a boot bag to be one bag when calculating checked bag fees as long as the combined weight of the bags is less than 50 pounds. That way you get 2 bags for the price of one and you can jam them full of light stuff like outerwear until you hit 49 pounds. Then take a carry-on bag that is the maximum allowable size and a backpack that fits under the seat in front of you and you can easily get by with just paying one checked bag fee. In general, oversize fees never apply to ski equipment.

The exception to this rule is Southwest. Since you get 2 free bags, do whatever the hell you want.

Definitely get a good quality ski bag though and wrap the tips and tails of the skis in clothing, since this is usually what gets broken in transit. Boots can go in any bag that's big enough to hold them, boots are pretty tough anyways.
11 years ago
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
MinggI usually just have one ski bag for all my stuff, I don't use a boot bag. I'll have my skis, boots, helmet, and poles in that bag. Then I pack as much of my softgoods in there as possible. Like my pants, hats, gloves, hoodies, jacket, base layers etc. I've managed to fit it all in no problem and then packed the rest of my clothes and other stuff in a suitcase and carry-on.

If you fly southwest you can check your skis in for free and then you still get 2 free bags(I think. It might be 1 though)


You will get 3 free bags on Southwest if you have a ski bag, a boot bag, and one other bag. The combined weight of the ski and boot bags must be 50 pounds or less though.
11 years ago
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fresh_prince
Posts: 993 - Karma: 11,916
shout out really loud that you have a bomb in your ski bag and that it only goes off if someone doesn't carry your bag for you
11 years ago
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Craigskis
Posts: 6650 - Karma: 1,645
Phone the airport in advance. Ask about traveling with luggage and sports gear. Some airlines allow you luggage + carry on + Ski bag, others charge overweight/oversized dimensions fees. If you get a bag like this with wheels, and you're smart with what and how much you pack you might be able to get away without extra baggage fees if they only allow one bag. Could be a difference of $50-$100 each way depending on the airlines. Good luck dude! The ski bags themselves range anywhere from $75 on sale to $250 ish I picked mine up for about $150 by Volkl


11 years ago
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Craigskis
Posts: 6650 - Karma: 1,645
Seanahue made a good point I forgot to mention about the ski brakes. Tie em up like you're about to wax em so they don't poke holes in your bag or break if you're leaving your skis flat side by side.
11 years ago
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C.Wood
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 180
Cut your skis in half, that way they might fit the size requirements as carry-on and you save money
11 years ago
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
I really don't understand how people think this. Here's a website with one-way shipping charges on Fedex:

http://www.snowlink.com/travel/travel-information/ship-your-gear/



Considering that $25 is usually what you pay for a checked bag, I don't see how you're gonna save any money by shipping except in a few cases where you don't go very far. Plus you wont have your gear for several days before and after your trip, which sucks if you want to do any skiing back home and only own one pair of skis. Even if you save $5, I don't see how this would be more convenient.
11 years ago
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LOLZfajitas
Posts: 393 - Karma: 1,054
tape skis into X shape, attach your moms drilldo, and walla, you have yourself a helicopter, fly yourself
11 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14038 - Karma: 50,729
LOLZfajitastape skis into X shape, attach your moms drilldo, and walla, you have yourself a helicopter, fly yourself


Lol'd so hard.
11 years ago
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Oli_Kelski
Posts: 82 - Karma: 48
I like to take my bindings off when travelling, as last time my bindings got fucked because they just throw your bag around. Other than that just pack soft stuff around skis to prevent damage
11 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
Oli_KelskiI like to take my bindings off when travelling, as last time my bindings got fucked because they just throw your bag around. Other than that just pack soft stuff around skis to prevent damage


Get a better bag.
11 years ago
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22738 - Karma: 77,008
stinkypinkyThis, but if it cost is an important factor, don't cram everything into your bag so that it weighs a shit ton. Most airlines allow for a 50lb checked bag, anything over and they charge you for going over.


So much this.

Dude seriously overage fees can be like $150 / bag even if you're only a few pounds over. WAY better to split into a few bags than one big one.

Bonus ninja points for getting one of these:

11 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
Mr.BishopSo much this.

Dude seriously overage fees can be like $150 / bag even if you're only a few pounds over. WAY better to split into a few bags than one big one.


True this.

In most airlines bagage fees range from 10-30 € per kilo
Whilst with for example let's say KLM an extra bag (pre-booked of course, not last minute at the counter) is 30 bucks.

I just wish you had to pay for total weight of passenger + luggage, seems fair when I see some people crab waddle through the aisle with more extra luggage on their belly then four of my bags.
11 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14038 - Karma: 50,729
For those who carry on boots, how do you go about that? Do you get a bag as well or do you just carry your boots on and thats it?

Just wondering because I'd be all for this for more room in my ski bag but I also like having a bag for some shit while on the plane.
11 years ago
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
MinggFor those who carry on boots, how do you go about that? Do you get a bag as well or do you just carry your boots on and thats it?

Just wondering because I'd be all for this for more room in my ski bag but I also like having a bag for some shit while on the plane.


Just carry your boots and a separate backpack on the plane. Simple.
11 years ago
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,087
skier_boy26Just carry your boots and a separate backpack on the plane. Simple.


Yup. You can stuff things into the liners of your boots as well.

Really, a good ski bag is so so so so important for travel. Padding, wheels, interior straps to hold things down. It's worth its weight in gold.
11 years ago
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perryhunter
Posts: 721 - Karma: -185
You can read on this site: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pack-skis-airplane-102900.html AND http://www.skyscanner.net/news/ski-and-snowboard-carriage-airlines-ski-baggage-allowance-compared

Airlines have different procedures for transporting ski equipment, some charge extra for transporting ski or snowboards, some don’t. So better know more about the airlines that you will be riding.
11 years ago
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
MinggFor those who carry on boots, how do you go about that? Do you get a bag as well or do you just carry your boots on and thats it?

Just wondering because I'd be all for this for more room in my ski bag but I also like having a bag for some shit while on the plane.


I've seen people get away with carrying on an overhead bin bag, an under seat bag, and a pair of ski boots. I wouldn't count on being able to do this though.
11 years ago
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LOLZfajitas
Posts: 393 - Karma: 1,054
skier_boy26Just carry your boots and a separate backpack on the plane. Simple.


people guna be stoked to smell em on the plane lolzy lolz lol
11 years ago
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MEOWZERS
Posts: 734 - Karma: 391
Mr.BishopSo much this.

Dude seriously overage fees can be like $150 / bag even if you're only a few pounds over. WAY better to split into a few bags than one big one.

Bonus ninja points for getting one of these:




literally just bought one of these at a tj maxx for 8 bucks...best flying investment ever
11 years ago
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seward
Posts: 5233 - Karma: 2,174
LOLZfajitastape skis into X shape, attach your moms drilldo, and walla, you have yourself a helicopter, fly yourself


died.

never heard drilldo, thats awesome.

and walla

well done bud.
11 years ago
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death_grips
Posts: 255 - Karma: 594
carry on luggage. When they tell you off start crying and that should work.
11 years ago
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3mania
Posts: 2647 - Karma: 10,797
far the best and most durable way to travel with skis, especially if you want to take 2 pair. Mine has been on 18 international flights, beaten, but still rolling.
11 years ago
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ModMommy
Posts: 10873 - Karma: 58,147
I made my own ski bag, and I usually stuff my ski sicks, gloves and shirts in with the skis as a lilttle bit of padding.
Ski boots can be brought on a plane as a carry on item, along with your normal carry on.
11 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
3mania
far the best and most durable way to travel with skis, especially if you want to take 2 pair. Mine has been on 18 international flights, beaten, but still rolling.


My soft lumpy Dakine bag has survived 329 flights and counting.

Hardshells will break, soft limp doughy bags don't.
11 years ago
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Paul.
Posts: 1655 - Karma: 11,549
I had a friend wear his boots onto the plane because he didnt have enough room in his carry-on and they would have made his checked bags weigh too much.
11 years ago
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3mania
Posts: 2647 - Karma: 10,797
Dr.LaurentMy soft lumpy Dakine bag has survived 329 flights and counting.

Hardshells will break, soft limp doughy bags don't.


Got mine in 2003 and it hasn't " broken" yet. Not really anything to break. I've had friends get their skis bent in air cargo holds, hard shells eliminate that possibility.
11 years ago
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Turd.Ferguson
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 2,713
my bag dates back to the late 90's and it works fine. I besides skis and poles, I jam as much shit as i can in there (Went to J Hole and didn't even pack a checked bag) because when you have a backpack, ski bag, and boot bag (also jam shit in your boot bag too) thats a lot of stuff to be carrying plus that extra bag... and it also doubles as extra padding.

Honestly I throw a hail mary with my ski stuff because of nazi size limitations and dont normally bring my boots with me. you could possibly shove them in a carry on size but it would definitely be a squeeze and im 80% any boot bag would fit,

dont put you helmet in check baggage either, clip it to your backpack and carry it with you, mine always get tossed around and i lost a chunk of my helmet to some shitty bag handelers too.


and always bring a towel / rag with you because noone like rusty edges

also bring wax with you because you're an idiot for paying 15 bucks to get a hot wax when you can do it your goddamn self
11 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10052 - Karma: 76,087
Bump. Good thread.

Seriously what do you guys do about your brakes in the bag? Do you lay your skis flat like all the pictures have? Do you lay them flat and tie the brakes back? Or do you lay the skis on their sides? I feel like I have more space for boots and helmet if I lay the skis flat, but the brakes cut into the bottom of the bag and are vulnerable to breaking.
7 years ago
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.Asain-Skiier
Posts: 3708 - Karma: 977
seanahue.1. get a ski bag that has rollers. padded, and double-wide if you can afford it. jam as much of your other non-breakable gear in there as you can (pants, jackets, socks, etc)

2. try to protect your brakes when packing stuff into your ski bag. they are the most vulnerable part of a ski, even when packed away.

3. always carry-on your boots. that way, even if shit hits the fan and they lose your ski bag, at least you don't have to rent boots. i carry-on my goggles too since they're somewhat fragile


IsitWinterYet17Bump. Good thread.

This. Also take your helmet as a carry on.

Seriously what do you guys do about your brakes in the bag? Do you lay your skis flat like all the pictures have? Do you lay them flat and tie the brakes back? Or do you lay the skis on their sides? I feel like I have more space for boots and helmet if I lay the skis flat, but the brakes cut into the bottom of the bag and are vulnerable to breaking.


Maybe use a thick rubber band and have the skis flat?
7 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10052 - Karma: 76,087
.Asain-SkiierMaybe use a thick rubber band and have the skis flat?


Yeah I just got some paracord I had laying around and tied them up
7 years ago
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skiguy04
Posts: 1640 - Karma: 1,275
Plastic wrap and boom ready to fly
6 years ago
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LukeTheWaffle
Posts: 1847 - Karma: 8,889
Wear your boots on the plane. Provided they don't stank too bad
6 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52577 - Karma: 174,052
lol at trying to carry on your shit. Ski blades would work though. Also I've carried my boots on a few times hanging off my backpack. I only bring my board bag and a backpack. Seems like a good amount of space but packing gear and stuff for a 4-5 month trip it's tough to make it through on the weight. I always feel a huge relief when I make it all fit and get through security.
6 years ago
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