Top Tips For Flying With Ski Equipment
Best Advice For Flying With Ski Equipment
Skiing trips are amazing – breathtaking views, incredible food, and new skills are just a few of the reasons why hundreds of thousands of people take to the slopes each year. But while the experience of being in a new country is exciting, unfortunately getting all of your luggage out there can be quite stressful. If you intend on taking all of your ski gear on a plane with you, it’s important to understand how to utilize space effectively so that you aren’t left struggling. This guide will take you through top tips for flying with ski equipment.
Be Strict With Yourself
It is far too easy to overpack for skiing holidays, especially when you’re unsure how your body is going to adjust to the colder climate. Although it is better to be safe than sorry in this situation, be strict with yourself regarding the items you need. If you find yourself packing several of the same items when you know you will probably only use one, take the risk and leave the rest at home. This will help to ensure that your luggage is under the weight limit – it also helps to ensure more important items like your ski boots and ski jacket can fit in nicely.
Utilize Ski Boot Bags
If you’re sat wondering ‘how do you fly with ski boots?’, it’s time to introduce you to ski boot bags. Ski boot bags are specially designed bags that fit your ski boots perfectly. They are equipped with the right protection to ensure your boots don’t get damaged on the flight and they are a lot easier to use than normal bags.
Ski boot bags tend to have to be added on as an extra piece of luggage, so be sure to check your airline requirements before heading to the airport. You’ll be glad you paid extra to use a ski boot bag though, as ski boots are incredibly heavy and difficult to carry in a normal bag. These bags can also be used for snowboard boots.
Use All The Space You’ve Got
Packing for a ski trip requires a lot of craft – get prepared to fold like you’ve never folded before! Store your heated socks into boots, roll up thermals and underlayers as tight as possible, use every inch of space you have.
Can I Pack Clothes In My Ski Bag? Some airlines allow you to pack clothes and other items of equipment in your ski bag. While this won’t be the case for every airline, it’s definitely worth utilizing if you are allowed. You can easily pack multiple outfits into your ski bag, saving a whole lot of room in your main luggage. This will also help to keep the weight limit on your main piece of luggage down to a minimum, too.
Carry-On Your Important Items
Although a rare occurrence, it is possible to hold luggage to go missing when being transferred between airports. It is for this reason alone that you should always carry-on your most important items when boarding the plane. Of course, you can’t do this for every single piece of equipment, but just ensure that you have items like your boots, gloves, jacket, and one pair of thermals with you on board. Having these items will keep you nice and warm while you figure out how to get some replacements.
…Or Wear Them!
Carrying on your important items is one way to go about things, but another is to wear them, instead! For example, why pack two coats when your ski jacket does the job? Why bring another pair of shoes if your snowboard boots are perfectly comfortable? It’s little decisions and realizations like this that will help to knuckle down on the amount you pack. And, by wearing them for your flight, you save room on luggage – giving yourself more space to pack some of the things you had to choose to leave at home. There’s nothing greater than having freedom when it comes to packing!
With the above tips in mind, you are well on your way to having a stress-free ski trip. Packing isn’t exactly the most thrilling activity, but once it’s complete, it sure is satisfying. Just remember to weigh your luggage before heading off to the airport so that you aren’t slapped in the face by any extra costs!
