Skiers and riders often ask "should I ship my skis, rent, or pay the excess bag fees to the airlines." The editors of Family Ski Trips have done all three.
Here’s our ski packing versus shipping advice:
Always
bring your own ski boots on the plane. Also pack your ski essentials in your
carry on: goggles, gloves, ski pants and jacket – so if all else is lost,
you can still ski. It’s easier to rent skis and poles, buy long underwear,
even clothing, than it is to find a comfortable pair of ski boots in S.O.L.
circumstances. See our ski packing tips.
Shipping your skis can cut down on the excess of gear you have to haul to
the airport, and improve your odds of delivery. We trust FedEx far more than
the airlines.
LuggageAhead.com
is a super efficient ski shipping service. Your skis are picked up at our
doorstep three days prior to departure, and arrive at our ski destination as
scheduled. The expense, about $120 a ski bag with poles round trip, is
worth the assurance (read: FedEx tracking number) that your alpine gear is
safe and sure to be there - versus paying excess bag fees and risking lost
ski bags with the airlines.
Rental skis have the reputation of being old, heavily
used gear with sharpie pen “rental #13” plastered for all to see. We
discovered SkiButlers.com as
a high performance, high service alternative. Your Ski Butler meets you upon
arrival and sets you up on the top shelf skis you reserved online from their
impressive inventory.
With
a quick binding adjustment, you can be skiing on your arrival day without
stress of baggage claim, or long lines at the rental shop. Ski Butlers has a
selection of wider powder skis, a nice option for East Coasters like me who
don’t own fat skis. The price ranges from $39 a day and up for skis and
poles or a snowboard. Ski Butlers has won awards for their service in
Colorado,
Utah,
Lake Tahoe California, Jackson
Hole Wyoming and Whistler.
For more ski travel tips, see our ski packing tips guide.
