Baggage Allowance when taking skis

May I suggest several "secrets" about flying with skis!

Over the years you discover many little "secrets" that I have so far kept to myself.

When I go for a ski trip which is over two weeks, I often pay a specialized ski shipping service which will ship skis ( up to 4 pair) anywhere! You get to resort and skis are already in storage waiting for you!

It is worth while to pay extra fee for another pair of skis if you are going to Rockies or major powder areas!

I stuff my ski bag will all my underwear, socks, gloves, hats. Great "protection" barrier!


Often I will have two ski bags! One I register right away under my name! Then I wait around airline counter for a "little old lady" who has smallish bag! I ask he if I can register my ski bag under her ticket! In return I will carry he bags and destination airport! Works every time!!!

When I test skis for ski companies, I get letter from them in which they stipulate that this is my job, thus need the 10 pairs of skis at ski resort XZY! They do have "secret" rates!

Often ski tour companies have skiers who go off with no skis! I find out who has no skis that is going with same flight! I ask them to take my skis in return for 1 hour per day of ski lessons! Works every time!

For five years I was traveling with a major ski company program, since their staff were allowed lower ski bag rates! Find out!


Never but never allow your boots to be more than 1 meter away from you! You can always get new skis if they are lost! You can never replace your boots!

I always wait till "last call" to get on plane! Neophyres rush to be first,,struggle in crowded ailes to use overhead bins! Wait till you hear that call, "Pavelski" passenger,,,,,final final call!!!!
All seats are taken! Aisles are cleared! Overhead bins are full! Guess where your boots are packsack go? In that "private" closet for service people near toilets!

You can also send your two pair of skis a week ahead with a skier in same ski touring company! They will be stored at ski resort!

Hope this helps some of you!

Pavel. Most of the concern on this thread is from UK based skiers. The issues they face with carriers tend to be connected with weight and money. The carrier's view is that skiers take more weight away with them, and that can make them money.

So with that in mind:

1.Stuffing your ski bag with clobber is now a no-no with B.A. who now have inserted a clause in the booking conditions. Most of the budget airlines have a weight limit on ski kit, even if you reserve space and pay. Expect to be questioned on the contents at check-in.

2.Offloading your ski bag to a little old lady in the check in line might work...if you give her the cash to check your kit in, and ask her to lie to the check in staff when they ask "Did you pack your bags yourself?" Second thoughts...not too wise a strategy in this age of terrorism threats. Many airlines in the UK have punitive charges for failing to reserve space.Tour Operators in the UK often double the charges for booking skis onto a flight at check in.

3.Many UK airports and airlines have a nonsense rule about no ski boots as hand luggage. Various excuses have been used, my favourite this week is "It's the steel toecaps"

Today, an aquaintance told me that his daughter had her ski boots taken off her at security on her way to skiing in Europe last week. She was lucky to get them back on her return. She felt obliged to purchase more in resort. As she was late, she was not in the mood to put up a fight to keep her boots.

We are driving to skiing FNO, or taking the train, as flying from the UK to well, anywhere is just stressful.

pavelski wrote:...
Never but never allow your boots to be more than 1 meter away from you!... Guess where your boots are packsack go? In that "private" closet...

Pavel, you are an excellent narrator!
Can you still remember the Rax family?
Well, some more Rax babies have been born in the meantime and their father has once promised to proudly
show you how they are running.
In next two weeks babies are playing between StAnton and Vienna.

Back to the topic "Air Baggage": we should breed even shorter skis, small enough to feel well in a ladies' necessaire.

One of those things that makes living in the US easier. I normally have two alpine snowboards (w/o bindings, a pair of skis (w bindings) and clothes in my ski bag. Alpine SB boots in my checked bag and ski boots in my carry on. I normally fly Delta. I'm sure this won't last forever as every year the US get a little more like the UK in terms of regulation.

Trencher

thanks all, hasn't really allayed my concerns but all interesting stuff. I guess I'll have to pick up the phone to the airline for clarification.

Bandit,
As always you are right! I forgot we are in "post-9/11" security mode!

I am sure my swiss knife will not pass security now!

Nor will the two bottles of water I always carry! Never mind the grapes and cheese I eat also!

That is why I am converting a Volks vanagon with four wheel drive for my trip to Utah next year! Yes slower but I can bring my skis, my boots, my food and yes bed!

Seems we are back into the 60's with Peace volks and propane heaters!

An interesting Airline Story!

I planned to do some windsurfing for 1 month with 10 fanatic surfers! We rented a house on the beach and since we were going to do serious windsurfing I insisted on bringing my "sinker" from Hawai! Called airline and got dimensions for kit!

At 4 AM at airport, the kit is refused due to "security" risk! Never mind that 8 of the surfers were RCMP officers! I had to open my board wrappers and all kit was inspected there! Seems my board looked like an American missile "stinger" launcher!
What is this world coming too!

Yes we had great month! Never saw TV never listened to news!

this is worrying...normally i take snow train to france, the 2 flights to canada had no trouble with board bag, but this year we're flying with first choice airlines to europe and apparently your board bag can't have anything else in it. i was planning on ignoring this as my coffin board bag is used as my only bag other than hand luggage. after reading this am i going to get away with this? or do i have to buy a small board bag and take extra luggage. so annoying!

I would have thought if your board bag was your only bag and it was within your standard weight allowance then I can't see why that would be a problem.

I think they don't like other kit in with the board if the board was being covered by a winter sports supplement charge but in your case, if the weight was ok, it wouldn't be.

But then these airline peeps do always have their own view on things.

Send them an email and if the response is positive then print it out and take it with you!