Packing your Skis for Transport

Every year thousands of people get on airplanes and head off on ski holidays abroad. Skis are not allowed to be carried as hand luggage on an aircraft, so must be checked in as luggage. To make sure your skis arrive safely and are not damaged during the flight, here are our top tips for packing and travelling with skis.

• When booking your flights check what the airline’s policy is about transporting sports equipment or oversized baggage. The airline could have very specific rules about the size of baggage allowed on the flight, plus rules about how the equipment must be packed. Be aware that you will probably have to pay an extra charge.
• The best way to protect your skis is to buy a specialist bag, it may cost a little extra but these carriers have been specifically designed to house and protect skis. Never try to transport your skis outside of a bag, as it is dangerous for baggage handlers, other baggage and your skis.
• When packing your skis, firstly cover the pointed ends; this will prevent them from snagging on your baggage, causing damage, and also makes it a lot safer for baggage handlers.
• Next, place the skis in the padded bag and add rolled up items of clothing or towels around them, this will add further padding to the bag and should give them extra support during transit. This should prevent the skis from becoming warped or damaged during your journey, just remember to put any toiletries, shoes or anything hard in another bag, to prevent them knocking against the skis.
• Always padlock your luggage and include two luggage labels, one on the outside and one on the inside of your bag (in case the outer label falls off). This should ensure that your luggage arrives at your destination safely.
• Finally, always remember to invest in travel insurance before you depart for your trip. You could spend hours meticulously packing your skis only to find that they have been lost or damaged when you arrive. Quality travel insurance should cover lost, delayed or damaged equipment as standard.