Are you planning a ski vacation that involves air travel?
If you''ve never traveled with ski equipment, you may wonder how bulky equipment like ski boots and unwieldy ski bags are handled by the luggage movers.
Before you start packing, you should check your airline''s baggage policies and make sure that your equipment and the ski bag and other pieces of ski luggage are appropriate.
The three goals of packing ski equipment are to make your skis, boots and poles easy to carry, to ensure that your ski equipment is protected from damage and to conform to airlines'' baggage policy.
First, you''ll need a quality ski bag or ski travel case that won''t fall apart when you dump your items on the conveyor belt. Don''t skimp on this. You have an investment in your ski equipment and should protect your money.
Tape your skis together using masking tape and insert socks or other soft clothing between the tips and the tails of your skis so that your skis don''t bang against each other during air travel. Wrap more light clothing around your skis and your poles to protect them from each other. Finally, put some clothes at each end of your ski bag to protect your equipment should your ski travel bag land on one of its ends during the course of the trip.
If you have to pack your poles separately, an appropriate sized tube will probably meet your needs. Don''t forget to wrap your poles in clothes for extra protection.
A ski boot bag is essential for lugging ski boots. Fill the space with socks, hats or ski gloves. Tuck your shampoo and toothpaste inside the boots (be sure to pack them in plastic first) then stuff socks in the top to keep them secure.
One of the advantages of using your ski case luggage as baggage for your clothes and sundries is that is that you may not have to take as many suitcases as you would otherwise, minimizing the chances of having to pay an excess baggage fee.
Check the baggage policy of your airline, even if you''ve used your ski travel bags before. If you''re flying for the first time, a good air travel tip is to call the airline counter at your departure airport rather than the airline itself to get your airline''s baggage policy. You might be surprised at the differences between "official" and "unofficial" policy.
Ask your airline about:
Packing your boot bag and ski bag correctly can save your ski equipment on a flight to your ski vacation destination. With your skis safely on board and protected from damage, you''ll enjoy a fun and carefree ski trip.