Flying With Ski or Snowboard Gear: Bags and Packing
By Trailbound Editors · Published · Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
Buy a padded wheeled bag that fits within the airline's maximum length, and treat the bag as protection rather than as luggage. Pack clothing around the gear rather than leaving gaps, carry boots in a separate boot bag if the allowance permits, and check the airline's sports baggage rules before you book rather than after.
Flying with winter gear is mostly a packing problem. The airlines’ rules are the constraint, and the bag is what decides whether your gear arrives intact.
Choose the bag first
A padded, wheeled bag is worth the money over a thin sleeve. Look for a length that fits inside the airline’s maximum — some carriers are strict, and a bag that is over length may be refused at the desk.
For two sets of skis, a double bag is cheaper than two singles, and it weighs more when full. Check the airline’s weight limit per bag before deciding.
Pack so nothing moves
The failure inside a ski bag is movement. Strap skis or boards together, wrap the edges, and fill every gap with soft clothing. A bag that is packed tight protects itself; a bag with a loose ski banging around inside will not.
Boots make excellent padding when they are inside the bag and a serious problem when they are loose. Most skiers either use a dedicated boot bag or put them at the ends of the ski bag, wrapped.
Before you fly
- Check the bag’s dimensions and weight against the specific fare’s sports baggage rules.
- Photograph the packed bag, and put your name and phone number inside as well as on the tag.
- Zip-tie or lock the bag where permitted, and check the current rules on locks.
- Keep essentials — gloves, goggles, a base layer — in hand luggage in case the bag is delayed.
Arriving
Check the gear for damage before you leave the airport if you can, and report anything to the airline the same day. Rental as a fallback is expensive at a resort, and a delayed bag is much easier to manage if your boots came with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ski bags count as a normal checked bag?
It varies by airline and fare. Many treat a ski or snowboard bag as one checked item; some charge a sports baggage fee; some measure length strictly. Read the rules for the specific fare you are booking.
How do I protect edges and bases?
Wrap skis or boards in a padded sleeve or a towel, strap them together so they cannot move inside the bag, and fill the remaining space with soft clothing. Movement inside the bag is what damages edges.
Should I carry boots as hand luggage?
If the allowance allows it, yes. Boots are the hardest item to replace at a resort, and a boot bag is the one piece of ski luggage worth having separately.
