Wear them !!!!!!!

We went snowmobiling last year and shipped most of our clothes, shoes, etc.. out beforehand. We shipped them in time to confirm that they had arrived at our hotel prior to our departure.

It was really nice getting onto the plane with only carry on luggage. This was over the Christmas Holiday last year and the flights were all full (most were overbooked.)

We did the same thing coming back, we shipped all our luggage directly to our home.

All this shipping was a little pricey but well worth it. If we take a similar trip, we will do it again.

RM

We went to Colorado (Vail) also for the first time a couple of years ago and checked our skis and carried on our boots. Although I was nervous about the skis, there was no problem. We got a hard-sided carrier for 2 sets of skis, although we noticed upon arrival at the Vail airport that almost everyone used the soft-sided carriers. Obviously the hard-sided can offer more protection, but it is a bit cumbersome to manage. We both had carry-on boot bags and then stuffed a few more things in the bags without a problems carrying them on ... they fit OK under the seat and would probably fit in the overhead as well. Just check with the airline ahead for carry-on dimensions; you can probably get this information from the airline's website.

You could probably ship your stuff, although it will be very costly. Interestingly, when we were waiting for our luggage in Vail's airport, it seemed like most other travelers checked their boots ... this made me a bit nervous. A friend of mine who also travels by air for ski trips says that she and her husband always check their boots, however she actually puts them in a standard suitcase rather than checking a boot bag (which would be very obvious to containing ski boots) ... I like this idea and would probably do this if we check the boots.

Have fun ... be sure to get over to Vail and ski those back bowls (especially China Bowl) .... they are absolutely awesome!

FedEx them. I've been shipping my skis, etc. for the last few years. Much easier.

Carry your boots on the plane!!!
If your skis get lost you can demo good skis at the resort but you don't want anybodys boots on your feet but yours!

Flown to Colorado Utah and California many many times. Check skis in softside carrier carry boots on plane. NEVER had a problem.
Happy trails.

I know that my son's surfboard was damaged last time we checked it going to Hawaii. sending things ahead would be my future choice.

I always carry on boots, goggles, gloves, etc. so I won't be held up by late luggage. Airlines have not gotten my skis there a couple of times. Have used a rental voucher from them the first day and they've delivered the skis to wherever I'm staying by the second day. Actually, kind of a neat way to demo different brands of skis.

HI,

I just read in the newspaper that NW will be charging additional fees for odd-sized baggage. It may be worth the added costs to have it shipped via another company, like FedEx.

You might ask the airlines what the fees are?

Yes, I would bring my boots on to the plane.. However, if you try to rent skis, it may be easier to rent the whole package. (I tried this one time, and waited a few hours to get fitted!)

Have fun skiing!

Most airlines count 'ski equipment' as one checked piece of luggage, regardless of the fact that it is an odd size. Couldn't find specifics on NW, but this is from Continental. (& I'm taking my skis on NW this Saturday, so they better not try to charge me!) Unless the airlines all started charging for this, I doubt one could get away with it, and they'd have a heck of a time promoting their ski vacation packages.

From Continental:
Ski Equipment
Continental accepts one item of ski equipment per customer in lieu of one piece of free baggage. Ski equipment must be securely encased in a suitable container.

An item of ski equipment consists of:

1 pair water skis
1 water (boogie)/snow board
1 pair snow skis, poles, boots and bindings.
Ski equipment in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at the excess baggage charge applicable in the market for a single piece.

(I've always checked my skis with the airline, but I do worry about a delay...although the risk of renting for a day, with the high end stuff most resorts have available, probably isn't that big of a deal...worry a bit more about the boots & have considered carrying them on, but I haven't yet.)

Every route has its advantages and disadvantages.

We own boots, but not skis. We've checked them in regular suitcases with our clothes. Once the bags didn't make the ATL-DEN flight and the airline put them on a later plane and had the van service deliver to hotel in Winter Park that night. Until the bags arrived we were concerned about not having all our layered clothing, goggles, etc.

So, next time we carried our boots, goggles, gloves, and a complete outfit onboard in carryon bags (heavy) and put our coats in the overhead. Someone's bag in the overhead started leaking and we were lucky our coats/gloves/hats were "uphill."

I think I'll go back to goggles and one outfit onboard and check the rest (including my boots that are old and not that special).

I used to work at a Park City ski resort. We recieved a truckload of skis every day from Fed Ex!

Bringing skis on a plane are a pain anyway. Spend the extra money and fed ex them.