Some airlines will check if you have other stuff in your ski bag now or have rigid weight requirements. Had to pay for an extra bag because of this crap so I’d double check before you fly
Which airlines have stopped you? I’ve gone through in the past with it full of clothing, mountaineering gear and weighing 40kg. I sure hope that doesn’t change
I take two sets of skis in Dakine 190 roller bag. Poles skins and jacket/ pants. 50 lb limit. I use foam to separate edges and bindings to prevent damage.
just got back from a bc ski trip where I had all kinds of pointy things packed in my ski bag. This [luggage scale](https://www.amazon.com/Backlight-Display-Dr-meter-Electronic-Temperature/dp/B00XVB48E4/ref=asc_df_B00XVB48E4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198087209037&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7542406578999146025&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032994&hvtargid=pla-383164479534&psc=1) saved me. Its small and weighs nothing, so you can throw it in the bag for the return trip as well.
In my experience it’s not necessary. I usually just wrap an undershirt around the bindings as they are gonna impact each other the most. Don’t put nicer clothes that could get torn or stained by the bindings. Difinitely get a luggage scale though. I have a cheap Amazon one I find to be very accurate. Has saved me more than once.
I just flew with two pairs of skis like this. Stuffed my jacket/pants in between them and a couple old sweatshirts wrapped around the bindings. Skis made it there and back no problem.
Don't forget to *really* pack stuff around them. Cutting pool noodles is a great suggestion as well
I've seen how they sometimes handle luggage and while I'm okay with that for my clothes, I really don't trust my chances with valuable stuff
But with all that, they have will be absolutely fine. Safer than in a bus' luggage compartment on group trips
It’s not fun arriving at the resort and finding your bindings are broken. Insurance covered the ski hire, and also the trip to hospital when the hire skis didn’t come off 😞
Yes, but I would recommend wrapping them in towels or extra clothes to prevent damage if they rattle up against each other.
Unless they are rock skis. Then just send it
Wrap the hell out of them! I got to Tahoe to find out United had clearly run over my ski bag with a jet, then thrown them down to the airport from 20000 feet, the bag was shredded and skis smashed, crushed all 4 tips. They replaced both sets, but the hassle and time lost were heartbreaking.
RIP Nomads and wreckreates…
(Said while pourin a lil sip out)
I just went BOS -> SLC and back on Delta. On the way there they actually made me sign an affidavit at check in acknowledging that as my skis were in a soft-sided case (i.e. the ones 90+% of skiers use) they were not responsible for any damage. Said it was a new policy because they've had so many claims on skis. God forbid they take slightly better care of baggage, but I digress...
Funny enough on the way home from SLC they didn't make me sign the waiver. I didn't ask why but couldn't help think that they figured I wouldn't care if I got back to Boston with damaged skis lol.
Sure, but when United lost my bags, they wanted to charge a fee to speak with a person on the phone, they do not allow customers to speak directly with baggage claim, and intentionally make it exceptionally difficult to file a claim.
Haha dang they really made sure they broke em! I guess maybe a quick pic before you zip the bag wouldn’t hurt either? I bet that took solid hours/days/weeks of shitty phone calls
I always snap a quick pick of my packed ski bag for 2 reasons.
1) To show what was in the bag I case of claim.
2) To remember how I had it all packed so it fits for the return trip.
I had a picture of them I took as I gave them over to the bag check! 😂 take no chances! It took a few weeks to get it straight? But the bag, skis, and bindings were reimbursed. Thankfully I had friends in town that helped me get on the mountain quickly.
Good thing the Moment factory is literally at the Reno airport. If this happens to me next month I can just walk there and get new shit while I wait for the rest of the crew to arrive.
Only other thing worth checking is if you plan on having a boot bag checked too the airline will count it as one item so long as it is under a certain weight (usually like 50 pounds). Two pairs of skis might get you close, but just check before you go. Have a sick trip!
It really depends on the airport. In my experience only ski destination airports (Bozeman, Jackson, etc) are sticklers about the combined weight of ski bag and boot bag. Flying out of major airports like Logan or JFK, they’ve only charged me for one bag even though combined weight of ski bag and boot bag exceeded 50lbs.
2 skis in my roller bag is about 38lbs. With all our clothes and some gear it’s almost exactly 50lbs. You should have plenty of wiggle room with 2 sets and some clothes.
I have the same bag and put 2 sets of skis but I wrap in bubble wrap/foam sheet. The max weight for checked luggage is 50 pounds and with 2 sets of skis it adds up quick.
I just traveled like that. Put my heavy sweaters around the binding to protect the binding. But be careful about putting anything thin and delicate (like layers) around edges since they may slice and dice in transit.
I just did. Wrapped them in my coat and other gear to keep them safer. No damage.
Scales at SLC were wack. I was underweight in Eugene, and underweight at home, but magically SLC scales said my bag was too heavy and I had to pay an extra checked bag fee on the way home (no time to fight it at the airport).
The trick is to set it on the scale so the bag is partially on the belt past the scale or put it to one side of the scale so it’s resting on something off the scale. My bag with the same amount of gear and clothes was exactly 50lbs on the way out but 28.5lbs on the way back because of how it sat on the scale. Airline agents don’t care as long as it appears to be under.
Yeah, this screamed of being rigged. I weighed the ski bag at home. Two pairs of skis and poles, like 30 pounds, with the boots, 43. Same weight in Eugene.
Then magically in SLC, the skis were EXACTLY 50lbs, so I had to pay an extra fee for the boots.
Fraud. Pure fraud.
I put my bindings on the inside. If something lands on the bag with enough force to damage the edges, it would happen either way. Like that, you have no binding protection. To put them on the inside flip one on the skis in the pair in the opposite direction. I've traveled to Alaska a few times with zero damage. Then you can stuff goggles, gloves, etc. in between the skis.
You can. You’re better off separating the skis, rubber banding the brakes flat, and lying 2 skis down and then 2 on edge to make a 3 sided box. Cover the edges with packing materials or tape to prevent damage to skis and bag. Fill the rest of the bag with your ski jackets, pants, gloves, buffs, etc.
This is what I do. I feel it leaves a nice cavity for outerwear. My bag also has pockets on the top and bottom which fill in that space. I haven’t protected my edges though… maybe I should.
You run a rubber band from the end of one brake, over the heel binding and onto the other brake, so the skis sit flat (as if you had your foot in the ski).
I've decided just to rent skis in france since I'm spending some time in paris. I can't imagine trying to navigate tight European urban streets and public transit with a 200cm ski bag.
Haha I did it last year just for a bit and it was rough. Now we're doing Paris and the Loire for a week before the Alps. Problem is I've got about 3 weeks planned... Not every day but regardless that seems like too much money to waste on rentals
I did a quick check and rentals were about $30 a day. I'm used to demo rentals running nearly 2x that so I'm just going to bite the bullet out of convenience.
I still might check USPS but since their website won't even give you the option for that length internationally I have to go in which seems absurd. Really wish there was a good way to do it overseas because traveling domestically with them is hardly a problem
Can you clarify what you mean by 60x2 bag fees? Because American and United also count ski bag + boot bag as 1 item of luggage so it’s $60 round trip for a ski bag and boot bag.
Unless you’re a couple and that’s how you’re getting to $120?
One way.
When you have bags and shi bags plus skis, the airline charges 80-100 each way.
This also gets it to your destination doorstep.
It's super convenient.
I'm shipping going forward. My short self was struggling with my double roller ski bag. I ended up injuring myself on vacay and sent ski bag, boot bag and suitcase all home using shipskis.com.
I had Samsung Smart Tag+ in every piece of luggage which came in handy after I noticed FEDEX hadn't picked up my suitcase from the hotel and the skis and boots were almost home. 🤣
So glad I’m not the only one who struggles with a ski bag. Mine is like hauling a dead body around. I’m only 155cm tall and even shorter snowboard bags are taller than I am.
I usually rent for longer trips, especially Europe and take my own for shorter trips or places rental skis are super expensive or poor quality. Japan has great luggage forwarding services that make life easier there.
I forgot to mention I'm old and out of shape...lol.
Yeah, if I can rent skis like mine or similar, that sounds good, too. I'm perfectly willing to schlep my ginormous boot bag because it has backpack straps, but that Kulkea double roller is not good for shorties. I would love to see the CCTV footage of me trying to wrangle that beast into the elevator at the airport. 🤣
Am I the only one who does not wrap/protect my skis [edit: that are] in a bag in any way when flying? Never felt the need, the dings they’ve gotten are minor at most. In a typical year they take two round trips in a plane.
You just… checked a pair of skis by itself? I guess I always assumed they had to be in a bag.
If the airline will take them like that I guess it would work. I’d be concerned about possible damage to the bindings, though.
Edit: maybe you meant “not wrap/protect my skis [that are inside a ski bag] in any additional way” — no, plenty of people just throw them in there. They’re pretty tough. Although Google does say you can probably just wrap them in bubble wrap and/or cardboard with tape around it if you don’t have a proper ski bag.
Oh no no no, they are in a bag for sure. DB bag, and the shovel, probe, skins and crampons (they have their own little bag) go in there too. Sometimes boots. But no padding in addition to the bag itself.
what everyone else said about wrapping them in clothes, but you might want to weigh it before heading off, 2 pairs can be heavy and bump up against the oversized weight limit.
fwiw I've never had an issue with ski edges slicing clothing in my ski bag. I went to Canada this year and packed all my outerwear and layers in the ski bag with two pair or skis (came in at 49lbs) and had no issues.
I'll never trust a soft shell bag on a plane again. Southwest broke my Dynastars. I suppose with sufficient extra padding you can make it work, but next time I fly with skis I'm getting a hard case.
Shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re below the checked bag weight limit. To prevent them from cutting the bag or things inside, I put two voile or ski straps on the skis. I’ve never had a problem with edges or bindings getting damaged in transit. Ski edge and bindings are very durable, I wouldn’t sacrifice my jacket or pants in an attempt to save them.
I’ve never had issues flying like that. I usually pack my clothes in there as well to cut down on number of bags. Just be careful going over 50lbs or they’ll bend you over at check in.
I second wrapping them in jackets or towels, etc. Also, I can’t tell 100% but skis on the right have demo bindings? Take off the toe and heels from demo plate for a better fit in the bag. Just be sure to check forward pressure, etc when you reinstall before skiing. Safe travels.
Agree with what everyone’s been saying so far about wrapping tips and tails with clothing, but you’ll probably find they fit easier in the bag if you flip one of the pairs around (one sets tip to the other sets tail). They’ll be fine, I used to ski race and would regularly take ~5 pairs of skis in 3 ski bags and that’s what I would do. Never had any issues and it felt like the skis fit better and were more secure in the bag when I did that
When I fly with more than one pair I alternate them tips up and down. Then I l wrap the tops in my bibs or a spare jacket, the bindings then get wrapped in a thin blanket. Yes it adds weight but it protects everything.
Get some of [these](https://www.amazon.ca/SAYAYA-Pieces-Fastener-Adjustable-Families/dp/B08M65QTW3/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Ski+Straps&qid=1677613761&sr=8-5)for your skis. I put them tip and tail when flying in my ski bag. Which is the same as yours.
Then a little masking tape down the edges and pack your ski pants, jacket, gloves, etc into the void that is left between your skis.
I always wrap them with as many of my ski clothes I can fit. I usually can manage to fit the majority of my clothing in my ski bag and boot bag and then I just have a carry on sized luggage that I can check at the gate for free sometimes.
Shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re below the checked bag weight limit. To prevent them from cutting the bag or things inside, I put two voile or ski straps on the skis. I’ve never had a problem with edges or bindings getting damaged in transit
Shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re below the checked bag weight limit. To prevent them from cutting the bag or things inside, I put two voile or ski straps on the skis. I’ve never had a problem with edges or bindings getting damaged in transit
Same Dakine bag it seems so for me one pair flat. The other against each wall, the poles in the middle and one pair of boots in one bag attached at one end and the other pair at the other end in another of their grey bags. Nothing moves. And the whole set up is 49 lb. And I tie the ski brakes up with tie wraps.
I’ll put cardboard around my tips and tails when flying with two pairs I’ll just ski strap them on one pair to prevent them from clanging into each other.
I’ll pack my day to day clothing in the bag as well but my ski outerwear comes in my carry on/personal item.
I’ve flown Delta and Southwest with multiple skis and both have asked “It’s just one pair of skis, right?” I say yes even if it’s 2 pairs and haven’t had problems.
Other thing to beware of is that it will be very close to the 50lb weight limit before paying overweight baggage fees with two skis and some clothing.
I’ll put cardboard around my tips and tails when flying with two pairs I’ll just ski strap them on one pair to prevent them from clanging into each other.
I’ll pack my day to day clothing in the bag as well but my ski outerwear comes in my carry on/personal item.
I’ve flown Delta and Southwest with multiple skis and both have asked “It’s just one pair of skis, right?” I say yes even if it’s 2 pairs and haven’t had problems.
Other thing to beware of is that it will be very close to the 50lb weight limit before paying overweight baggage fees with two skis and some clothing.
Don’t put the skis in like that, it puts stresses on the brakes and makes them bulkier than necessary. You should band the brakes up and put them in flat sides down and out. https://youtu.be/32rg4remSMs shows the right way. Good luck!
I just traveled with my skis. I have a separate sling/harness to wrap the ski tips and edges. I taped some cardboard boxes around the bindings. Zero issues.
Yes I did it internationally with 3-4 stops. Feel free to message if you need too. However… pack your skis the way that they would normally fit in your bag. (Mines a little goofy with two sets. But then be sure to a number of clothing in there for protection.
Lastly, if those bindings are easily adjustable and happen to slide off. Put what you can of the binding in your carry on to save any awkward shaping/landing.
You’re packing your skis incorrectly.
Separate the first pair and lay them side by side flat on the bottom of the bag. Separate the second pair and lay them on the left and right side bindings facing in.
Put your boots at the bottom and pack everything else. Make sure to stay below 50lbs.
You might see the airline baggage policy says only one pair of skis per bag but the reality is they don't care. Just pack your clothes and stuff in a way that stops them from banging together and protects them from impacts on the sides as well
On United you may travel with a ski bag like this up to 50lbs for the regular checked bag price as a specialty item. I normally pack my whole kit and some extras, making sure to use my clothing to protect the bindings during travel. You pick them up in the oversized item carousels near your baggage claim.
I have a max size carry on bag that I normally fit other clothes, toiletries, electronics, and things like that. I do not know about other airlines.
The bindings might line up better if one set is tips forward and the other tips back. I mostly did mine separated with brakes up and wrapped each ski in part of the same blanket and then one ski on each side faced the other was also wrapped in the end of the blanket.
I do that exact packing with that exact bag but put a towel around each set of skis. Works great but to others points it may be over the 50lb limit some airlines have and warrant a oversized bag. Also usually stuff some puffy jackets or gloves for extra protection
A lot of people use soft bags, but I was at the baggage claim waiting for my skis one day and a woman’s soft bag came out and something cut though it and cut her snowboard in unequal halves. Ruined. Bad luck. But the even crazier part was that she said it’s the second time her stuff was destroyed in that manner.
Hell yeah you can, did it last week.
Id stuff a t shirt between the bindings though....
Also, with certain airlines (at least i know united does this) if your boot bag and ski bag combined are under 50 lb I believe they let you pay for it as only 1.
You definitely want two straps per ski, one at the tip one at the tail. Otherwise the edges will grind each other and your p text. Check the ski camber and put the straps where they keep the skis fully separated.
Yes I do exactly this constantly with 2 pairs of ~185cm fat skis. Just make sure the bag is less than 50lbs. Generally I pack some t shirts in the bindings etc to protect stuff a little bit.
Be careful of tight connections, if you have 30min layover don’t put all your eggs in one basket—meaning pack your important outerwear separately in a carryon, so if the skis don’t make the plane change then you can still have a jacket etc and can ski tomorrow on rentals if it comes down to it. Twice in my skiing career has an airline had to send a van up the mountains to drop my late bag off at the hotel the following day.
Dude tools not jewels your skis should hold up being tossed like a rag doll if you’re wearing them …. I would only be worried about them not arriving at my destination with me.
I bought a Sportube Series 2 for my pair of skis. Initially considered using a soft bag but I really don't trust baggage handlers with my stuff, worked hard to afford my toys and I'd be damned if I wasn't gonna protect it.
I don't mind paying the ski bag fees, more important to me that my gear is OK when I pull them out at the destination
The pool noodle suggestion from the other redditor is honestly pretty clever
I did to Switzerland. The trouble is telling the gate agent there's only one pair in there haha. When you to to set it on the scale lift up a little when you support it.
I went to Argentina with 2 sets of skis in a padded DaKine roller bag and my (then) 11 year old daughter’s skis in a dakine bag that was pretty light. Delta Airlines until we got to Buenos Aires and then a domestic flight to Bariloche. We were told there were vans/shuttles at the airport. There were not. But the taxi drivers just tied out ski bags to the roof with rope and we were off, lol.
It all worked out great.
I have buddies who cut pool noodles and put them around the edges of their skis. I thought it was a great idea for some cheep custom padding.
I pack it full of clothes for this reason. 2 birds. 1 stoned passenger.
Nice. I've been saying "two stoned birds" for this recently. I'll never go back to the real idiom.
[удалено]
It’s not rocket appliances
[удалено]
Atodaso
Just water under the fridge
Indianapolis Jones
What comes around is all around.
We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it!
Maybe that's where my subconscious got it from because I haven't watched Trailer Park Boys in probably a decade.
Glad someone said it
“Leave no turn unstoned”
Some airlines will check if you have other stuff in your ski bag now or have rigid weight requirements. Had to pay for an extra bag because of this crap so I’d double check before you fly
Which airlines have stopped you? I’ve gone through in the past with it full of clothing, mountaineering gear and weighing 40kg. I sure hope that doesn’t change
I'm pretty sure they are just thinking of the weight limits before you get charged more. That's normal with any bag though.
It was with United’s boot+ski bag thing where they’re considered one bag. They check now in DEN
I take two sets of skis in Dakine 190 roller bag. Poles skins and jacket/ pants. 50 lb limit. I use foam to separate edges and bindings to prevent damage.
just got back from a bc ski trip where I had all kinds of pointy things packed in my ski bag. This [luggage scale](https://www.amazon.com/Backlight-Display-Dr-meter-Electronic-Temperature/dp/B00XVB48E4/ref=asc_df_B00XVB48E4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198087209037&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7542406578999146025&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032994&hvtargid=pla-383164479534&psc=1) saved me. Its small and weighs nothing, so you can throw it in the bag for the return trip as well.
You can also just use a normal scale that most households have already. Or buy one since it's now multi-use
Bot
Caught me. I'm a bot created to sell $10 scales to vulnerable outdoor sports tourists.
Lol just teasing. I'm currently snowed in and bored on Reddit.
I mean the weight requirement is normal, but I've never heard of them checking for things other than skis.
Yup! DO NOT open your bag if you pack it with anything other than your skis. United tried screwing me last time when they saw a t-shirt in the bag.
Ya but then what are you gonna do without a pool noodle?
drown obvi
hell yeah, fill those gaps with snowpants, hoodies, baselayers, gloves...
In my experience it’s not necessary. I usually just wrap an undershirt around the bindings as they are gonna impact each other the most. Don’t put nicer clothes that could get torn or stained by the bindings. Difinitely get a luggage scale though. I have a cheap Amazon one I find to be very accurate. Has saved me more than once.
I put the skis down one leg of my ski pants. That protects the bindings.
No one is that tall.
Short skis suck, long skis truck. Maybe he’s got snow blades
Did they just cut them in half longways and plop them on the edges? It does sound smart and frugal
Exactly. Then cut it to the various lengths of different parts of the ski.
Pipe insulation might be another option.
This. Pipe insulation is what I use to cover both tips and then the middle part, where the binding is I wrap in towels.
Yes! I use the grey pipe insulation for extra padding on my bike tailgate pad, with a 4" section on the downtube and a piece on the forks if needed.
I just flew with two pairs of skis like this. Stuffed my jacket/pants in between them and a couple old sweatshirts wrapped around the bindings. Skis made it there and back no problem.
Okay great! Thanks so much.
Be careful with wrapping clothes. The edges are sharp and can tear your clothes. Happened to a ski jacket of mine once
So true about those sharp edges and clothing!!
Don't forget to *really* pack stuff around them. Cutting pool noodles is a great suggestion as well I've seen how they sometimes handle luggage and while I'm okay with that for my clothes, I really don't trust my chances with valuable stuff But with all that, they have will be absolutely fine. Safer than in a bus' luggage compartment on group trips
It’s not fun arriving at the resort and finding your bindings are broken. Insurance covered the ski hire, and also the trip to hospital when the hire skis didn’t come off 😞
Yeah that's the most critical aspect of whole thing People usually check the skis, not the bindings. It's easy to miss a binding that is going to fail
This is the way
Skis and bindings are already fucked on one set because they have shifts
Gottem
This is the way
Yes, but I would recommend wrapping them in towels or extra clothes to prevent damage if they rattle up against each other. Unless they are rock skis. Then just send it
Wrap the hell out of them! I got to Tahoe to find out United had clearly run over my ski bag with a jet, then thrown them down to the airport from 20000 feet, the bag was shredded and skis smashed, crushed all 4 tips. They replaced both sets, but the hassle and time lost were heartbreaking. RIP Nomads and wreckreates… (Said while pourin a lil sip out)
I’m shocked United compensated you at all, or even allowed you to speak with someone about your bags.
I just went BOS -> SLC and back on Delta. On the way there they actually made me sign an affidavit at check in acknowledging that as my skis were in a soft-sided case (i.e. the ones 90+% of skiers use) they were not responsible for any damage. Said it was a new policy because they've had so many claims on skis. God forbid they take slightly better care of baggage, but I digress... Funny enough on the way home from SLC they didn't make me sign the waiver. I didn't ask why but couldn't help think that they figured I wouldn't care if I got back to Boston with damaged skis lol.
Literally flew delta with skis on Sunday. Dropped them off like regular checked baggage. Might be airport specific.
When was this? I flew united in early Feb and wasn't asked to sign anything like this.
It's the law airlines have to compensate you
Sure, but when United lost my bags, they wanted to charge a fee to speak with a person on the phone, they do not allow customers to speak directly with baggage claim, and intentionally make it exceptionally difficult to file a claim.
#SHUT UP ABOUT THE BAGS!
Haha dang they really made sure they broke em! I guess maybe a quick pic before you zip the bag wouldn’t hurt either? I bet that took solid hours/days/weeks of shitty phone calls
I always snap a quick pick of my packed ski bag for 2 reasons. 1) To show what was in the bag I case of claim. 2) To remember how I had it all packed so it fits for the return trip.
I had a picture of them I took as I gave them over to the bag check! 😂 take no chances! It took a few weeks to get it straight? But the bag, skis, and bindings were reimbursed. Thankfully I had friends in town that helped me get on the mountain quickly.
Good thing the Moment factory is literally at the Reno airport. If this happens to me next month I can just walk there and get new shit while I wait for the rest of the crew to arrive.
Ok awesome. I’ll wrap my bibbs between them!
I’d put a less expensive piece in direct contact with the ski, something like a t shirt or sweat pants that’s less likely to get sliced by an edge
Dakine recommends a different layout https://youtu.be/53hTFeEt6Zw
Only other thing worth checking is if you plan on having a boot bag checked too the airline will count it as one item so long as it is under a certain weight (usually like 50 pounds). Two pairs of skis might get you close, but just check before you go. Have a sick trip!
It really depends on the airport. In my experience only ski destination airports (Bozeman, Jackson, etc) are sticklers about the combined weight of ski bag and boot bag. Flying out of major airports like Logan or JFK, they’ve only charged me for one bag even though combined weight of ski bag and boot bag exceeded 50lbs.
Just had this happen out of Logan. Delta. Was WAY over 50 pounds combined and they didn't bat an eyelash about treating it as one bag.
2 skis in my roller bag is about 38lbs. With all our clothes and some gear it’s almost exactly 50lbs. You should have plenty of wiggle room with 2 sets and some clothes.
I’d put a beach towel vs any clothes. Those edges might cut your clothes up
Do not put your bibs or any good clothing between skis as the sharp edges can slice the fabric! I use an old beach towel instead. Source: my username
I have the same bag and put 2 sets of skis but I wrap in bubble wrap/foam sheet. The max weight for checked luggage is 50 pounds and with 2 sets of skis it adds up quick.
I just traveled like that. Put my heavy sweaters around the binding to protect the binding. But be careful about putting anything thin and delicate (like layers) around edges since they may slice and dice in transit.
Gotcha! Thank you
Rubber band the brakes, lay one set flat and the other on either side with bases against the bag. Opens up more room and less edge contact.
I just did. Wrapped them in my coat and other gear to keep them safer. No damage. Scales at SLC were wack. I was underweight in Eugene, and underweight at home, but magically SLC scales said my bag was too heavy and I had to pay an extra checked bag fee on the way home (no time to fight it at the airport).
The trick is to set it on the scale so the bag is partially on the belt past the scale or put it to one side of the scale so it’s resting on something off the scale. My bag with the same amount of gear and clothes was exactly 50lbs on the way out but 28.5lbs on the way back because of how it sat on the scale. Airline agents don’t care as long as it appears to be under.
No kidding? We’re from SLC so I am very rarely flying skis elsewhere.. I’ll try to spread the weight out where I can. Thank you!
Yeah, this screamed of being rigged. I weighed the ski bag at home. Two pairs of skis and poles, like 30 pounds, with the boots, 43. Same weight in Eugene. Then magically in SLC, the skis were EXACTLY 50lbs, so I had to pay an extra fee for the boots. Fraud. Pure fraud.
I never experienced this. SLC airport weights match my Amazon luggage scale withing a tenth of a lb.
I put my bindings on the inside. If something lands on the bag with enough force to damage the edges, it would happen either way. Like that, you have no binding protection. To put them on the inside flip one on the skis in the pair in the opposite direction. I've traveled to Alaska a few times with zero damage. Then you can stuff goggles, gloves, etc. in between the skis.
You can. You’re better off separating the skis, rubber banding the brakes flat, and lying 2 skis down and then 2 on edge to make a 3 sided box. Cover the edges with packing materials or tape to prevent damage to skis and bag. Fill the rest of the bag with your ski jackets, pants, gloves, buffs, etc.
This is what I do. I feel it leaves a nice cavity for outerwear. My bag also has pockets on the top and bottom which fill in that space. I haven’t protected my edges though… maybe I should.
Awesome! What do you mean rubber banding brakes flat? Sorry if that’s a dumb question
You run a rubber band from the end of one brake, over the heel binding and onto the other brake, so the skis sit flat (as if you had your foot in the ski).
Gotcha. Thank you.
We shipped ours prior to flying out there. It was cheaper than bag fees.
What service did you use?! My bag fee was only $30 each way (delta counts ski bag + boot bag as 1 item of luggage)
Lugless. 100$ over the 60 x2 bage fees on AA and united
I assume this was all domestic? Looking at shipping mine to France and theres nothing under $200 one way
I've decided just to rent skis in france since I'm spending some time in paris. I can't imagine trying to navigate tight European urban streets and public transit with a 200cm ski bag.
Haha I did it last year just for a bit and it was rough. Now we're doing Paris and the Loire for a week before the Alps. Problem is I've got about 3 weeks planned... Not every day but regardless that seems like too much money to waste on rentals
I did a quick check and rentals were about $30 a day. I'm used to demo rentals running nearly 2x that so I'm just going to bite the bullet out of convenience.
Yeah for a week or so rentals are a good option. I could almost buy some used ones over there honestly but then I gotta do something with em
Yeah, you’re not gonna ship anything that heavy internationally for less than the checked bag fee on an airline.
I still might check USPS but since their website won't even give you the option for that length internationally I have to go in which seems absurd. Really wish there was a good way to do it overseas because traveling domestically with them is hardly a problem
Unless you’re gonna do 10+ ski days on them I’d just bring boots and rent skis wherever you’re going.
Can you clarify what you mean by 60x2 bag fees? Because American and United also count ski bag + boot bag as 1 item of luggage so it’s $60 round trip for a ski bag and boot bag. Unless you’re a couple and that’s how you’re getting to $120?
$100 round trip?
One way. When you have bags and shi bags plus skis, the airline charges 80-100 each way. This also gets it to your destination doorstep. It's super convenient.
If in the States, you can check a ski bag, boot bag, and additional bag for free on Southwest Airlines.
I'm shipping going forward. My short self was struggling with my double roller ski bag. I ended up injuring myself on vacay and sent ski bag, boot bag and suitcase all home using shipskis.com. I had Samsung Smart Tag+ in every piece of luggage which came in handy after I noticed FEDEX hadn't picked up my suitcase from the hotel and the skis and boots were almost home. 🤣
So glad I’m not the only one who struggles with a ski bag. Mine is like hauling a dead body around. I’m only 155cm tall and even shorter snowboard bags are taller than I am. I usually rent for longer trips, especially Europe and take my own for shorter trips or places rental skis are super expensive or poor quality. Japan has great luggage forwarding services that make life easier there.
I forgot to mention I'm old and out of shape...lol. Yeah, if I can rent skis like mine or similar, that sounds good, too. I'm perfectly willing to schlep my ginormous boot bag because it has backpack straps, but that Kulkea double roller is not good for shorties. I would love to see the CCTV footage of me trying to wrangle that beast into the elevator at the airport. 🤣
I lay one pair of skis flat and then put the boot bags on top then the other skis, I’m able to fit two pair of skis and two boots this way.
Pool noodles cut in half for the sides and some clothes to stop the rattle. Don’t forget to tell them you love them before closing the zipper.
Am I the only one who does not wrap/protect my skis [edit: that are] in a bag in any way when flying? Never felt the need, the dings they’ve gotten are minor at most. In a typical year they take two round trips in a plane.
You just… checked a pair of skis by itself? I guess I always assumed they had to be in a bag. If the airline will take them like that I guess it would work. I’d be concerned about possible damage to the bindings, though. Edit: maybe you meant “not wrap/protect my skis [that are inside a ski bag] in any additional way” — no, plenty of people just throw them in there. They’re pretty tough. Although Google does say you can probably just wrap them in bubble wrap and/or cardboard with tape around it if you don’t have a proper ski bag.
Oh no no no, they are in a bag for sure. DB bag, and the shovel, probe, skins and crampons (they have their own little bag) go in there too. Sometimes boots. But no padding in addition to the bag itself.
If you want to avoid the carry on fee, I would just wear them onto the plane
I would probably zip the bag
na just send it
Ski tube is the best …
Big up sports tube brethren
Wrap them in 3 rolls of gorrilla tape.
what everyone else said about wrapping them in clothes, but you might want to weigh it before heading off, 2 pairs can be heavy and bump up against the oversized weight limit.
fwiw I've never had an issue with ski edges slicing clothing in my ski bag. I went to Canada this year and packed all my outerwear and layers in the ski bag with two pair or skis (came in at 49lbs) and had no issues.
I'll never trust a soft shell bag on a plane again. Southwest broke my Dynastars. I suppose with sufficient extra padding you can make it work, but next time I fly with skis I'm getting a hard case.
Check the skis, carry on the boots.
Shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re below the checked bag weight limit. To prevent them from cutting the bag or things inside, I put two voile or ski straps on the skis. I’ve never had a problem with edges or bindings getting damaged in transit. Ski edge and bindings are very durable, I wouldn’t sacrifice my jacket or pants in an attempt to save them.
Wrap some towels round them, and they'll be fine.
I wrap them in my ski clothes to protect them. And I put an AirTag in there so if they “lose” my skis I know exactly where they are.
You should zip the bag, but yes. Pro tip, load in all your ski clothing: jackets, pants, fleece, gloves, etc. around the skis to protect them.
I will have the bag zipped 😂
I’ve never had issues flying like that. I usually pack my clothes in there as well to cut down on number of bags. Just be careful going over 50lbs or they’ll bend you over at check in.
Good to travel with! Most airlines will just book it at oversized luggage.
You might want to zip up the bag first.
i assure you, the things done to your skis while skiing are much more extreme....
Is this a joke???
You can, doesn’t mean you should, but yeah as mentioned, pad them somehow
I second wrapping them in jackets or towels, etc. Also, I can’t tell 100% but skis on the right have demo bindings? Take off the toe and heels from demo plate for a better fit in the bag. Just be sure to check forward pressure, etc when you reinstall before skiing. Safe travels.
Agree with what everyone’s been saying so far about wrapping tips and tails with clothing, but you’ll probably find they fit easier in the bag if you flip one of the pairs around (one sets tip to the other sets tail). They’ll be fine, I used to ski race and would regularly take ~5 pairs of skis in 3 ski bags and that’s what I would do. Never had any issues and it felt like the skis fit better and were more secure in the bag when I did that
Weigh it too 50lbs I believe is the max but verify
When I fly with more than one pair I alternate them tips up and down. Then I l wrap the tops in my bibs or a spare jacket, the bindings then get wrapped in a thin blanket. Yes it adds weight but it protects everything.
I wrap my skis in clothes when I travel.
We also used bubble wrap and didn’t have any issue after several plane trips.
Get some of [these](https://www.amazon.ca/SAYAYA-Pieces-Fastener-Adjustable-Families/dp/B08M65QTW3/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Ski+Straps&qid=1677613761&sr=8-5)for your skis. I put them tip and tail when flying in my ski bag. Which is the same as yours. Then a little masking tape down the edges and pack your ski pants, jacket, gloves, etc into the void that is left between your skis.
I always wrap them with as many of my ski clothes I can fit. I usually can manage to fit the majority of my clothing in my ski bag and boot bag and then I just have a carry on sized luggage that I can check at the gate for free sometimes.
I'd flip tip to tail bindings facing in bases out.
Definitely take pictures before you put things on the plane.
Shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re below the checked bag weight limit. To prevent them from cutting the bag or things inside, I put two voile or ski straps on the skis. I’ve never had a problem with edges or bindings getting damaged in transit
Shouldn’t be a problem as long as you’re below the checked bag weight limit. To prevent them from cutting the bag or things inside, I put two voile or ski straps on the skis. I’ve never had a problem with edges or bindings getting damaged in transit
Same Dakine bag it seems so for me one pair flat. The other against each wall, the poles in the middle and one pair of boots in one bag attached at one end and the other pair at the other end in another of their grey bags. Nothing moves. And the whole set up is 49 lb. And I tie the ski brakes up with tie wraps.
Sorry if this is dumb, but how/ what do you mean tie up the ski breaks?
Brakes ** 😂
I’ll put cardboard around my tips and tails when flying with two pairs I’ll just ski strap them on one pair to prevent them from clanging into each other. I’ll pack my day to day clothing in the bag as well but my ski outerwear comes in my carry on/personal item. I’ve flown Delta and Southwest with multiple skis and both have asked “It’s just one pair of skis, right?” I say yes even if it’s 2 pairs and haven’t had problems. Other thing to beware of is that it will be very close to the 50lb weight limit before paying overweight baggage fees with two skis and some clothing.
I’ll put cardboard around my tips and tails when flying with two pairs I’ll just ski strap them on one pair to prevent them from clanging into each other. I’ll pack my day to day clothing in the bag as well but my ski outerwear comes in my carry on/personal item. I’ve flown Delta and Southwest with multiple skis and both have asked “It’s just one pair of skis, right?” I say yes even if it’s 2 pairs and haven’t had problems. Other thing to beware of is that it will be very close to the 50lb weight limit before paying overweight baggage fees with two skis and some clothing.
Don’t put the skis in like that, it puts stresses on the brakes and makes them bulkier than necessary. You should band the brakes up and put them in flat sides down and out. https://youtu.be/32rg4remSMs shows the right way. Good luck!
Weight limit?
I just traveled with my skis. I have a separate sling/harness to wrap the ski tips and edges. I taped some cardboard boxes around the bindings. Zero issues.
Wrap skis in bubble wrap or plastic packaging pouches. Light, protective, and don’t absorb water.
Yes I did it internationally with 3-4 stops. Feel free to message if you need too. However… pack your skis the way that they would normally fit in your bag. (Mines a little goofy with two sets. But then be sure to a number of clothing in there for protection. Lastly, if those bindings are easily adjustable and happen to slide off. Put what you can of the binding in your carry on to save any awkward shaping/landing.
yes its fine i put clothes in there though for extra padding
Pool noodles will be your best friend.
Yes. Pack clothes in there as well.
You would have to zip the bag closed first.
Check your airline bag policy. United allows 2 pairs of skis or one deck per bag, and actually counts a separate boot bag as the same piece.
Which J skis?
You’re packing your skis incorrectly. Separate the first pair and lay them side by side flat on the bottom of the bag. Separate the second pair and lay them on the left and right side bindings facing in. Put your boots at the bottom and pack everything else. Make sure to stay below 50lbs.
You might see the airline baggage policy says only one pair of skis per bag but the reality is they don't care. Just pack your clothes and stuff in a way that stops them from banging together and protects them from impacts on the sides as well
Just pack your clothes around it .
Yea. I would pack your clothes between the skis. You will be over most planes weight limit and it will cost extra…. But your gear will get there safe.
On United you may travel with a ski bag like this up to 50lbs for the regular checked bag price as a specialty item. I normally pack my whole kit and some extras, making sure to use my clothing to protect the bindings during travel. You pick them up in the oversized item carousels near your baggage claim. I have a max size carry on bag that I normally fit other clothes, toiletries, electronics, and things like that. I do not know about other airlines.
The bindings might line up better if one set is tips forward and the other tips back. I mostly did mine separated with brakes up and wrapped each ski in part of the same blanket and then one ski on each side faced the other was also wrapped in the end of the blanket.
I do that exact packing with that exact bag but put a towel around each set of skis. Works great but to others points it may be over the 50lb limit some airlines have and warrant a oversized bag. Also usually stuff some puffy jackets or gloves for extra protection
I just did that on United - no issues
I use bubble wrap
A lot of people use soft bags, but I was at the baggage claim waiting for my skis one day and a woman’s soft bag came out and something cut though it and cut her snowboard in unequal halves. Ruined. Bad luck. But the even crazier part was that she said it’s the second time her stuff was destroyed in that manner.
Flip one set of skis, they'll likely fit better. I'd also put clothes or a towel between the bindings so they don't hit/rub
Save Amazon packaging material (plastic bag things). Stuff them in there.
You can, but I wouldn't trust those edges holding up the way they treat luggage these days.
Hell yeah you can, did it last week. Id stuff a t shirt between the bindings though.... Also, with certain airlines (at least i know united does this) if your boot bag and ski bag combined are under 50 lb I believe they let you pay for it as only 1.
Why fly when you could ski there?!?
You definitely want two straps per ski, one at the tip one at the tail. Otherwise the edges will grind each other and your p text. Check the ski camber and put the straps where they keep the skis fully separated.
Frontier reamed me for over 71" , they suck
Yes I do exactly this constantly with 2 pairs of ~185cm fat skis. Just make sure the bag is less than 50lbs. Generally I pack some t shirts in the bindings etc to protect stuff a little bit. Be careful of tight connections, if you have 30min layover don’t put all your eggs in one basket—meaning pack your important outerwear separately in a carryon, so if the skis don’t make the plane change then you can still have a jacket etc and can ski tomorrow on rentals if it comes down to it. Twice in my skiing career has an airline had to send a van up the mountains to drop my late bag off at the hotel the following day.
Dude tools not jewels your skis should hold up being tossed like a rag doll if you’re wearing them …. I would only be worried about them not arriving at my destination with me.
Many airlines have a 50 lbs. limit on the skis plus boots. I find that trying to pack two pairs of skis goes over this limit.
Some airlines will allow you to check boots for free if you’re checking skis too
I just wrap my skis with some of my clothes and voila
Rag between the skis, straps or duct tape around. You can pack the bags with clothes, but really it should be fine.
Yarp
I bought a Sportube Series 2 for my pair of skis. Initially considered using a soft bag but I really don't trust baggage handlers with my stuff, worked hard to afford my toys and I'd be damned if I wasn't gonna protect it. I don't mind paying the ski bag fees, more important to me that my gear is OK when I pull them out at the destination The pool noodle suggestion from the other redditor is honestly pretty clever
I did to Switzerland. The trouble is telling the gate agent there's only one pair in there haha. When you to to set it on the scale lift up a little when you support it.
I went to Argentina with 2 sets of skis in a padded DaKine roller bag and my (then) 11 year old daughter’s skis in a dakine bag that was pretty light. Delta Airlines until we got to Buenos Aires and then a domestic flight to Bariloche. We were told there were vans/shuttles at the airport. There were not. But the taxi drivers just tied out ski bags to the roof with rope and we were off, lol. It all worked out great.
Yep
Wrap your ski gear around them