The Ultimate Guide to Bringing Skis And Ski Boots On A Plane

When it comes to winter sports, there a lot of equipment that needs to be packed.

This great post by The Leather Travel Bag has outlined the instruments that you need to pack for your ski trip on the plane (or train, or bus, or plane, etc.).

Traveling with your skis and skis alone can be a challenge. First we need to figure out how to fit them in our carry-on.

Then we need to ensure that they don’t get damaged while traveling. Then we need to figure out how to get them on and off the plane.

When packing for your skiing holiday, there are a few things that are vital to ensure you enjoy your trip, one of which is to carry your ski equipment with you.

Ski equipment can be bulky and cumbersome, but with the right travel bag you can transport your equipment with ease through the airport. 

Below is a guide to bringing skis and ski boots when flying:

• Check your airline’s regulations for the weight and size of your ski bag.
• Check in early.
• Allow extra time for security.
• Skis must be marked with your name, address, and destination.
• Ski and boot bags are not guaranteed on a connecting flight. If your flight is late, you may miss your connecting flight.
• Use a sturdy bag with wheels.
• Use a bag with a fabric that does not have a magnetic attraction to a metal detector.

Bringing ski boots as a carry-on

We often see seasoned skier and snowboarders with shopping bags and luggage rolling around the slopes, trying to keep their gear safe from harm.

“Bringing ski boots as a carry-on” is a task that many do every winter and it’s a very popular one, especially with the younger travellers.

When traveling, you will need your boots with you, therefore it is not possible to carry them on as cabin luggage.

Here we’ll show you how to carry your gear.

• You should check your travel bags for any sharp objects. Any sharp object in your carry-on luggage can be confiscated as a weapon.
• Heavy and sharp objects can be put in your check-in luggage. Sharp objects include: knives, scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, ski poles, ice picks, sack for items and similar items. As a rule, sharp objects up to 4 cm in length (for example, nail clippers) can be carried in your carry-on luggage.
• If you are traveling to a cold climate, you should pack your boots in a plastic bag. You should put your boots on the bottom of your bag and then pack the rest of your belongings around them.
• If your boots are wet or dirty, you should put them in a plastic bag. You should put your wet ski clothes, such as your wet gloves or pants, in a plastic bag and then pack them around your boots, too.

This will keep your ski clothes dry.

If you don’t have a plastic bag, you can use a plastic garbage bag.

Make sure the garbage bag is not too big so that you don’t have too much extra room in your ski bag.

If your ski bag is not waterproof, then you should put your ski bag in a plastic garbage bag.

Overweight baggage charges

Over the years airlines have been charged more and more for excess combined weight checked in on flights, especially when one considers the fact that packing light is generally viewed as a good thing, as it means you don’t have to pay to check a lot of excess weight fees baggage.

Traveling with overweight charge baggage can be a serious problem at the airport.

Before you travel, check out the airline’s policies on excess weight charges and how to avoid them.

Many fares are charged based on the maximum extra weight allowed for hand baggage.

If you do not wish to be charged for excess baggage, then you should take your normal carry on baggage which is allowed up to 16kgs (approx. 35lbs).

The amount you pay for overweight baggage depends on the airline you fly with, the type of ticket you have purchased and the weight of your luggage.

Does a ski bag count as a checked bag?

If you’re heading off for a ski holiday, chances are that you’ll need a decent-size carrier to keep your gear safe and secure while you’re away from home.

The good news is that a ski bag isn’t just a case, it’s also a carry-on bag, so if you’re flying with them you can keep your gear safe and secure on board.

The bad news is that they do take up some of the space in your checked luggage, and airlines are getting stricter about who they allow in their bags.

So, what counts as a ski bag and what doesn’t?

Ski bags are a great way to travel, they are designed to allow you to carry your gear in a backpack and put it in your travel bag when you reach your destination, a ski bag has all the advantages of a traditional piece of luggage bag but it also has its own benefits.

Whether you are travelling by plane or train, it is always best to check the airline, train, or bus websites for their specific carry-on requirements.

When travelling by plane, certain large bags, such as golf bags and ski bags, may be considered a checked bag and will count towards your limit of one or two bags.

Snowboard backpacks

Snowboarders don’t need a backpack to go snowboarding.

They need one to take to the slopes! If you are a snowboarder, then it’s clear you want to take all the gear you need with you, and going without a backpack is no option.

You need a good snowboard gear backpack and good snowboard boots you can have all the essential gear with you at all times.

At The Leather Travel Bag we have a large range of snowboard gear backpacks to choose from, so we’ve got something to suit your needs.

Snowboard gear backpacks are specifically designed to be carried by a snowboarder.

They are most often used while riding a snowboard gear, but can also be used for travel purposes.

Snowboard baggage rules

The rules for taking snowboard baggage are that you can take a snowboard as carry-on baggage provided it does not exceed the dimensions for carry-on baggage: 

• Snowboard bags should not exceed the dimensions of 115cm x 55cm x 25cm (46in x 21in x 10in)
• Snowboard bags must weigh less than 10 kilos (22 pounds).
• Snowboard bags may not exceed 1 cubic foot in volume.
• Snowboard bags must be packed to avoid damage to other baggage.

Snowboard luggage policy may vary by airline. One thing is for certain: most airlines charge for extra bags.

How do I protect my skis when flying?

As we all know, skis are really expensive, and flying with them can be a nightmare if you don’t know what to do.

There are a few rules that you need to follow to make sure your skis arrive safely at their destination, and these rules are very simple:

• Put the skis in a special soft items bag, and make sure that the bag doesn’t have any holes in it.
• If you have a bag that doesn’t have holes, you can make sure that it is completely sealed by using a vacuum bag machine.
• If you don’t have a vacuum bag machine, you can also purchase bags online that are already made.
• Make sure that your skis are secured tightly in their bag, and that the bag is also secured tightly in your suitcase.
• You can fill in voids with small, empty plastic bags to make sure that no snow can get in and freeze to your skis.
• Choose a bag with a hard shell and a compartment that is big enough to fit your ski equipment.

Can I pack clothes in my ski bag?

Yes, you can pack clothes in your ski bag for any occasion.

Skis can be handled in a number of ways, so you need to plan them accordingly.

The first step is to remove the bindings.

There are a variety of ways to handle your skis when you pack them and it depends largely on the size of the bag.

If you’re traveling abroad, you can pack clothes in your ski bag if you use a garment bag.

Doing so will protect your clothes from wrinkles and you’ll be able to sort your clothes to pack in the order you’ll want to wear them.

You can pack clothes in your ski bag by packing them in a zip-locked bag to keep them from getting wet if your ski bag gets wet.

How do you pack two pairs of skis?

Once you’ve bought your skis, you’ll need a way to carry the skis onto the plane and back home.

Since there is a real risk of damaging your skis if you fly them on a plane, you’ll need to find a way to transport the skis that is effective, without causing damage.

Two pairs of skis can be packed in a travel bag by wrapping them in bubble wrap.

When packing two pairs of skis in a travel bag, place the skis vertically along the side of the bag.

Wrap the tops with bubble wrap, and secure it with an elastic band.

Place the poles across the skis, and secure them with another elastic band.

While such a bag is essential, it can be a bit on the bulky items side, which is why many have opted for a duffel bag instead.

To get the most out of your duffel bag, you need to make sure you are prepared for the mountains right out of the bag.

Do I need a padded ski bag?

You don’t need a padded ski bag, rather a travel bag that is made with thick, cushioning material to protect the contents of your bag.

It might sound like a silly question, but there is actually a lot of evidence that shows you don’t need one.

Some people want one because they think it’s safer, but there’s no benefit to it.

In fact, using a non-padded ski bag is safer because it prevents the weight of the skis from shifting and putting strain on them.

But, the weight of your skis is not the only thing affecting their safety.

Ski bag with boot compartment

There are so many different styles of ski bags out there to choose from, that it can be hard to get one that will suit your needs.

Some are very unisex, others are very feminine, while others are very manly.

But really, there is no one right answer, there is only what works best for you and what works best for your needs.

The ski bag with boot compartment has the most wider opening on back to fit your boots. 

This is the perfect bag for a experienced skier who wants all his snow gear to be easy to access.

The main compartment is accessed from the large front flap and has internal pockets for waterproofing waxes and brushes.

The main compartment also has a ski pass holder. The front pocket has a zipper pocket and a key clip.

The side pockets are large enough to put your gloves, hat, goggles or goggles, goggles bag, and goggles case. The lower half of the bag has a removable boot compartment, which is a perfect place to store your boots. The bag has a detachable scarf, which is a really good idea, and a removable strap that can be used to attach the bag to a pair of skis.

Do airlines charge for ski bags?

It’s an age-old question: Do airlines charge for ski bags? The answer is that they do, but at varying prices and restrictions.

In general, however, it’s fair to say that it’s not free, and in some cases, it can even be against the law.

Airlines that charge for bags may charge for carry-on or checked bags and may charge a flat fee or for each bag.

Airlines typically charge for checked bags, but bag size isn’t limited.

Domestic airlines allow a maximum bag size of 62 linear inches (158 cm), while international airlines allow a maximum of 62 linear inches (158 cm), 46 linear inches (116 cm), or 40 linear inches (102 cm) depending on the aircraft.

While many airlines will charge for the space you take up in their cabin, there are some that will let you cram two or more pieces of luggage onboard for free.

If you’re travelling on an airline that permits you to carry on your skis in the cabin, this is a fantastic opportunity to save some money.

Overweight baggage charges

As airlines have increased the size of carry-on baggage limits, there are increasing instances of passengers being asked to pay the additional fees for their excess baggage.

If you have been asked to pay over the weight limit for your carry-on bag, this is perfectly legal, as long as the excess weight is not too great.

However, as airlines have been allowed to increase the size of carry-on bags, there are also more instances of passengers being asked to pay for the weight of their bag when it is actually under the legal allowance.

If you are traveling with more than the recommended allowance, you may be required to pay an extra charge.

Two overweight baggage charges are applicable on all European flights. The first charge is for bags that are heavier than 32kg (70lb) and the second is for bags that are heavier than 44kg (97lb).

Airlines allow skis for free

When travelling it’s important to prepare in advance, especially when flying.

In fact, for those who have never travelled by air, it’s probably one of their biggest fears.

Many people have been known to arrive at the airport in a panic with the airport staff, only to see their bags missing on arrival.

If you’re a professional skier, you might be interested to know that many airlines allow skis to be shipped for free.

Look for the “free shipping” arrows on the airlines’ websites, or check out our list of airlines that allow skis for free.

Airlines that allow skis to be carried in the cabin for free include:

• Air Canada
• Air Baltic
• Austrian
• Brussels Airlines
• Croatia Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Lufthansa
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Some airlines actually allow you to bring your skis on a long-haul flight.

They don’t say it, but they guide you to the website where you can buy a ticket, which lists all the airlines that allow you to take your skis with you on the plane.

How do I check my ski equipment?

As a professional skier, you want to get as much information from your equipment as you can, but sometimes the information is hard to find.

Most think of “skiing” as the act of sliding down a hill, or perhaps getting a heli- lift or cable car to your destination.

However, actually skiing involves a lot more than getting to the bottom of a hill.

Some of the ski equipment you will need to check before you go on your first ski trip include skis, boots, goggles, jacket, gloves, pants, hat, rope, and poles.

The best way to ensure your ski equipment stays in top shape is to take it out of your bag and give it a thorough inspection before and after each use.

How do you fly with Nordic skis?

You may have been wondering, how do you fly with Nordic skis? (It’s not the easiest thing to do!)

Well, Nordic Skis are a pleasure to carry around, but due to their weight they are not suitable for a lot of airlines.

There are a number of options when it comes to traveling with your Nordic skiing equipment.

Some people like to carry it all the way on the plane with them.

While others will only carry it once they have checked it in at the airport.

You can fly with Nordic skis by packing them in your piece of luggage.

Remember to include a pair of grippy socks for each ski.

Ski poles can be checked or carried onto the plane as a spare.

Take your Nordic skis to the airport as long as they are under the specific ski dimensions. These dimensions are 126 cm total length, no more than 90 cm wide and no more than 29 cm deep.

Taking a trip with Nordic skis is a pretty popular activity around the world, so it’s no surprise that they’re well known in the travel bag world as well.