 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Double bag that can cinch down to a single bag. If you are going to use it a lot, then make the investment for a douche bag. I paid around 200 EUR and ordered on Amazon from Germany. No regrets. Esp if flying the cheap airlines, it's a way to keep your stuff safe.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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The vast majority of people use soft bags (I do) and I've never heard of skis being damaged in transit. it can be cheaper to just book a ski bag and on say Easyjet that has a 20kg limit. Your skis, pole and bag will weigh about 7kg so that gives you plenty scope for carrying clothes. But most ski bags will be a lot longer than your skis. The bags themselves aren't normally rigid so you might find a fully loaded double wheelie fairly difficult to handle. 20kg in a roller ski bag puts a lot more weight on your hand than 20kg in a normal luggage bag with extending handle. I think you'd find it easier to walk through an airport with you skis in a short, light bag on a shoulder strap and your other luggage in a wheeled soft bag.
Go have a play with the luggage in a ski shop then make up your mind.
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I use a SportTube for my snowboards, but most people use soft bags, especially for skis.
I only use the hard case because I travel a *lot* and soft snowboard bags (not the boards, the bags) don't last long. However ski bags don't get loaded up with boots and stuff so soft is perfect for those I think. Also SportTube bags are heavy, using more of your allowance.
If you want to travel internationally on scheduled flights and need a single piece (I do that...) then a sporttube starts to make more sense, if you don't mind that they weigh 6Kgs just for the bag. If you're travelling charter, well check their rules. If you're travelling on EasyJet type flights in Europe they tend to charge extra (sometimes significantly) for snow gear however you carry it, again you need to check their rules (or ask here, in which case you'll get a load of conflicting out of date advice  ). Greyhound and people like that do tend to charge per piece, so personally I like one sub-23Kg bag for my snow gear and one backpack for carry on.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Some airlines aren't keen for boots to be taken on as hand luggage, if you are intending to have boots in your boot bag for hand luggage. Some will also have a weight limit on hand luggage. Boots with a few extra bits can be quite weighty.
Have a look at the Dakine Fall Line double. Big enough for 2-3 pairs of skis if needed. Or a couple of pairs of skis, boots and some kit. If you shop about you can get one for £60.
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| Quote: |
I'm not sure if it's the right dimensions for the cheap airlines (eg. Easy jet)
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easyJet's website has very clear guidance on dimensions for hand luggage.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Went for a 190cm Fall Line which I scored for £60 from SportPersuit earlier in the year. Got 2 pairs of skis, boots, avy kit, 2 pairs of poles and a load of clothing. Came in around 21KG and pulling it around wasn't that much of a fuss at all - especially after being dropped off st the wrong place when we got to our apartment! Everything was fine.
For the last few years I've only used a single ski bag and the bag is now very tattered but skis always survived.
I'd definitely go the route of a double wheelie, it'll act as an investment for the future should you add additional sets in, and as said above when travelling with one set of skis you'll get a ton of clothing in as well.
The douchebags are great for storage when in resort but you can get something just as good a fair whack cheaper. Do it if the budget isn't an issue!
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| aewynia wrote: |
Wow! I hadn't heard of the Douche bag before this!  Something to look into...
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I have one. Not cheap, unfortunate name, but a fantastic product. Strong, heaps of room, good protection, and reasonably light, relative to the preceding.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| hammerite wrote: |
| Some airlines aren't keen for boots to be taken on as hand luggage, if you are intending to have boots in your boot bag for hand luggage. Some will also have a weight limit on hand luggage. Boots with a few extra bits can be quite weighty. |
I just realised that. Oops. Thanks.
So I have narrowed my choices down to:
1) Sportube 3 - which can carry my boots and is quite hardy for the long haul, but more heavy and takes up space
2) Douche bag - strong, light, good protection and space saving, but rather expensive
3) Dakine fall line - strong and light, good protection (? for the long haul), and less expensive, but takes up as space as well
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Be careful about each airline's baggage policy and their different interpretations (head office versus ground crew). I had an inordinate amount of trouble trying to clarify what you can and can't take on British Airways with their H.O. Ground crew were great yhough - one big ski bag with skis, clothes etc checked in (usually as oversized baggage which is quite good actually), hand luggage (perfect for a set of boots stuffed with things) as well as a laptop bag.
My soft ski bag had backpack straps which was very convenient for longer walks to hotel, train stations etc and the boot bag was a classic wheelie carry-on airline bag. Ski bag on back, boot bag in one hand (or wheeled behind) and laptop bag in other - easy.
As for the 'oversize' classification of the ski bag, it is quite convenient in international travel. Oversize bags are not common but often have their own sections for check/pick up - which means no waiting at crowded carousals. Ground crew almost always appreciate ski bags as they are easy to handle compared to many of the other 'oversize' bags they have to handle.
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I really like the pull along ski bags and have managed to get all my things within allocated baggage allowance on ba lufthansa etc and only paid for one ski bag on budget airline. Between my ski bag and and my cabin pull along I have found 3 weeks holiday for myself no problem. My current bag is a ice mountain which has fell apart after 8 holidays, very lite made I think less than 3kg but it hasn't lasted. I am eyeing up the Scott wheeled pull along (if anybody has any input I would be grateful) for a replacement.
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You know it makes sense.
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| aewynia wrote: |
| I've already bought a Thule Roundtrip Boot Backpack. I'm hoping that can be my hand luggage, but I'm not sure if it's the right dimensions for the cheap airlines (eg. Easy jet). Anyone tried carrying one as hand luggage? |
Highly unlikely. easyJet have a very generous hand-baggage allowances - 56 x 45 x 25 cm - while your backpack is 37 x 49 x 33 cm. You might get away with it but if the gate staff make you put it in the sizer you'll be stopped from taking it onboard and have to pay £60 to have it tagged.
| hammerite wrote: |
| Some airlines aren't keen for boots to be taken on as hand luggage, if you are intending to have boots in your boot bag for hand luggage. Some will also have a weight limit on hand luggage. Boots with a few extra bits can be quite weighty. |
I keep reading this on here and as I and others have said it is only likely to be airport security who have a concern. In saying that the only place where people have had an issue is Grenoble. I carried mine back and forth for about 6 through Edinburgh and Stansted and not once did security say anything. In all my years of travelling I've never had my hand luggage examined by the gate staff so the airlines would never know.
| haigie wrote: |
| Went for a 190cm Fall Line which I scored for £60 from SportPersuit earlier in the year. Got 2 pairs of skis, boots, avy kit, 2 pairs of poles and a load of clothing. Came in around 21KG and pulling it around wasn't that much of a fuss at all - especially after being dropped off st the wrong place when we got to our apartment! Everything was fine. |
I've got the same bag but I'm disappointed it doesn't have any compression straps inside (or outside) so unless you pack it full I suspect the skis will slide around inside. I had a dry run a couple of weeks ago with my skis (177s) and my sons (very light) 138 K2 Juvys with both our boots and it came to well over 20kg.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| WASHOUT wrote: |
| I really like the pull along ski bags and have managed to get all my things within allocated baggage allowance on ba lufthansa etc and only paid for one ski bag on budget airline. Between my ski bag and and my cabin pull along I have found 3 weeks holiday for myself no problem. My current bag is a ice mountain which has fell apart after 8 holidays, very lite made I think less than 3kg but it hasn't lasted. I am eyeing up the Scott wheeled pull along (if anybody has any input I would be grateful) for a replacement. |
@WASHOUT, can I clarify: do you mean that you have managed to get your pull along soft ski bag to be checked in as normal baggage? I think Easyjet classifies ski bags as sports equipment and immediately charges double for the same weight (20kg) - at least that is what I found out when I checked last night. How do you get around that, or is that just a condition by Easyjet?
@Gaza, Yes I realise now that I am unlikely to get my Thule Backpack through the hand-luggage. 
I am just wondering out loud, if the airline companies would be more particular if I showed up with a Sportube, as compared to a soft ski bag, if I kept either one within the weight limit? My question really is that apart from Easyjet, would other airlines allow either/both to be cheked in as my "normal baggage" if I don't check in anything else?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Different airlines have different policies. There isn't one rule you can go by here I'm afraid. On the very rare occasions that I fly (the train has none of these problems!) I go with Swiss as they allow skis as part of their standard luggage allowance regardless of the type of bag they are packed in as long as you've not booked their budget hand-luggage-only fare.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
My question really is that apart from Easyjet, would other airlines allow either/both to be cheked in as my "normal baggage" if I don't check in anything else?
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It varies by airline e.g. BA allow you to take a ski bag instead of a 'normal' bag as part of your checked baggage allowance, with no extra charge. You need to check each airlines' policy. Quite a few threads around here debating the ins and outs of various policies, if you do a search on your particular airline.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You need a soft bag the right length or it wont work wheeling it about over rough ground/snow/ice /cobblestone as it will sag an drag then wear holes right through it.
It will sag at the 150cm point or short ski length point and ski bags are all much longer than 150cm .
So you could use a aprox 3- 3.5kg 156cm burton gig bag about £40-95 (depending when where) as with any bag you need at least one internal strap too secure the skis if no outer compression straps exist which on cheaper gig bags they don't but do have a internal.
A burton board case 156 is better (not 100% sure on this size) but is a bit heavier and more costly but good kit with more compression straps and often a secret lower deck sleave.
If the dakines presently don't have internal straps that's a big failure as they used too and are needed to hold the equipment fast in the bag connected to the shorter stiff wheeled end base .
The airlines will destroy any bag even £700 Tumis it makes no difference if its a tumi or decathlon bag they can damage it and will if you travel enough .
The most I carried was two wheeled bags and a hand luggage bag all up about 50+ kilo grams using 11 vehical forms of transport one way to get to the resort hotel ,always a long day and lots of connection logistics to get right or the trip takes longer.
On this 5am too 8-10pm multi vehical trip the bag needs to be as small/light as possible 23kg with ba ,stiff, secured and with a good end handle for all the changes and timings and rough handling as it will get beat on and ripped or torn somehow .
The heavier and /or longer they are the more chance of the bag getting damaged I find .
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 7-12-15 15:24; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Tirol 164 wrote: |
So you could use a aprox 3- 3.5kg 156cm burton gig bag about £40-95 (depending when where) as with any bag you need at least one internal strap too secure the skis if no outer compression straps exist which on cheaper gig bags they don't but do have a internal.
A burton board case 156 is better (not 100% sure on this size) but is a bit heavier and more costly but good kit with more compression straps. |
That is an excellent call. I got my son this bag - https://www.atbshop.co.uk/bags-and-luggage/burton-wheelie-gig-snowboard-bag-in-fish-blanket - in 156cm. He is a skier, not a boarder, but as we will take 2 pairs of skis each on holiday next year a single bag was never going to work for us and as his longest pair are 139s this is perfect. It has a great "secret" compartment under the main section where you can put the skis (minus bindings). The main section is well laid out with a couple of insert sections for boots and/or bindings that can be clipped in and out. This years version is here - http://gb.burton.com/default/burton-wheelie-gig-bag/F16-109941.html?cgid=snowboard-gear-bags&start=2
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you want a premium dakine high roller 165cm with a secret lower deck sleave and three internal zipped full length see through pockets I have one going but not cheap .
Its the older better type but in very good nick .
Really though a shorter lighter burton bag either lighter gig or board case (that the baggage guys will screw up) is slightly better but not as durable or has as much volume and protection as my older 4.5-5kg dakine high roller with the secret sleave and full length storage pockets .
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The cheaper wheeled burton gig bags wont have the lower secret sleave (I have a 166 wheeled gig for sale as well as the dakine high roller and a btrn185cm .)
Over the years many of the better burton board cases did have the lower deck compartment ,not always though .
If anyone needs a 185cm with secret sleave ,also has a neoprene section panel giving overloaded ease of zipup, message me for details next 7-9 days .
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@Gaza, I have to agree re: internal straps - things were a bit all over the place when we landed. My big planks are 180cm so one side was fine, other set are 166 with things packed above the tips and around them which became dislodged but not a huge drama to quickly fix before strolling out the airport.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I've found the quality of luggage has really dropped in the last few years. I have 3 lots of ski luggage, 2 soft & a sportube. The sportube will last & is easy to sell on ebay if it isn't needed. Last year on the bash I flew Monarch, I took a large checked in holdall (20kg), small case as hand luggage (10kg) & the sportube with 2 sets of skis(20kg), so 50kg for one person. Obviously we had to pay but with 2 sets the carriage was halved. We now have skis with Quiver Killers so could take 3 sets in one bag. All this luggage was pulled along by me on my own!
But I had to use a trolley on the return as I had a shoulder injury, I was glad I took some bungees
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Aewynia. Depends on airlines, haven't traveled easyjet (with skis) for a couple of years but had a quick look on easyjet site, one normal suitcase was £42 return or a ski bag was £60 return (not sure about weight). If you wanted a suitcase and ski bag would cost £102. Weight of a pull along ski bag 2.5-4.5kg plus skis plus skis poles plus boots etc fairly adds up. I usually need a standard "free" pull along suitcase into cabin to stay under weight limit for checked in baggage. Theirs no simple answer as airlines are constantly changing baggage allowance and all are different dimensions weights etc.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The upside to EasyJet is that "ski carriage" includes a ski bag and a boot bag... I think it was 15KG total tho.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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What about Lokker, anyone used them?
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Fly Lufthansa or Swiss. They give u free ski carriage as well as a suitcase just go for classic fare not light and phone them to say you want to add skis to booking. BA KLM and Air France allow you to take one ski bag instead of a suitcase so taking a bigger ski bag and adding clothes works well cos you can still take a carry on and a laptop bag
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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The big plus in favour of the douchebag is that it rolls down to the length of your skis. So, no sagging. Expensive, but rugged.
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FAQ
)! I would like to ask for advice from the Snowheads community regarding ski bags for airline travel. I want to bring a pair of piste skis, quite short (150cm), and my issues are as listed below:
