How To Travel With Skis

Despite the beauty of the Snowy Mountains, we’re always sad when the snow melts and the ski season ends. If you’re heading abroad skiing this year, it’s safe to say we’re jealous! From the powder in Japan to the endless runs in the Alps, you’re set for an awesome time (but we guess you know that already!).

Our team have a lot of experience skiing overseas, both hiring gear while abroad and taking their skis & kit with them, and they know how confusing it can be. Between airline policies, choosing the right ski bag and deciding what to pack, the weeks before your trip can be hectic. To help you prepare for your trip, we’ve put together our top tips for travelling with your skis, and also the merits of hiring gear abroad in case you’re considering that too.

Sarah / e-Commerce

Should I take my skis with me or hire them abroad?

Taking your skis with you can feel like a bit of a mission but if you’re a keen skier it’s often the right option for you. Whether you take your own or hire is largely down to personal preference and cost. However, it is important to remember that the conditions vary significantly region by region, so your Australian skis may not be right for deep powder in Japan!

Bespoke setup/ custom requirements

Do you have any bespoke ski requirements, or are you planning to do anything specific while abroad? If so, taking your skis might be the right option. You’ll know exactly what to expect and that they’ll do the job you need them for.

Cost

If you already own your skis, boots etc, the only costs you’ll need to consider are travelling costs and maybe a tune-up. Some airlines will let you take skis as part of your standard baggage allowance, whereas others will charge an additional fee. If you’re going with a group, you could share a kit bag with a few of your friends/ family members. Packing a few pairs of skis together can be an efficient way to travel them but make sure they are still safely packed with plenty of padding.

If you’re considering a “hybrid” approach, taking your helmet and boots, but hiring skis and poles for example, it’s worth checking the rental costs as there may be limited price difference. While this may not influence your decision, having all the facts is best.

Quality/ Availability

The majority of ski hire shops take very good care of their skis and will offer demo skis too. However, do your research beforehand and check the reviews from other skiers. If you want something in particular, see if you can book in advance. From our experience, most ski shop owners are passionate about the sport and will try to help you if they can!

Tips for travelling with your ski gear

Check if you need to book extra baggage for your flight

When you come to book your flights, or even as you’re coming up to your trip, check your airlines' policies to see what they offer in terms of baggage allowance. Some airlines will let you take your ski bag as part of your standard allowance, whereas others will require you to let them know in advance or pay a fee. Upgraded Points has created a handy article on airlines' ski baggage policies.

Invest in a good ski bag

Your skis are probably the most precious item you’ll travel with so don’t cut corners on their protection. A good quality ski bag likely has good quality wheels and will last for many years and is worth its weight in gold. If you need help deciding, our team will be happy to help both by phone/ email or in-store.

Get your skis waxed before you travel

If there’s one thing we’ve learned the hard way, it’s leaving your ski waxing until you get to the slopes. Watching people hit the snow while you’re queuing to get a fresh coat of wax is not a fun way to start a trip. We recommend getting your skis waxed and tuned before you leave Australia if you can. That way you’ll be raring to go as soon as the lifts open. If you’re based near Rhythm, our workshop team will be happy to help you with this.

If you don’t have time to get your skis tuned up beforehand, find a ski shop that you can leave them with overnight - either the night you arrive at the resort or the evening after your first day’s skiing.

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