Air travel and packing bags

[tarponhead]

Never been skiing out west and got my first trip next week (Steamboat). We are flying Continental, and per their website it's $25 for the 1st bag (ski bag) and $35 for the second bag. I would love to keep the $70 and just check the skis. I'm there to ski and post-skiing socializing will be limited. So hoping non-ski clothes can be kept at a minimum (hotel has a laundrymat). So I think I can get all my gear (boots and ski clothes) in the carry-on.

Others go this route? If so, any packing tips?

fyi, I know about ski rentals but thats not gonna happen

TIA

 

[gmcunni]

not sure about continental but many airlines that charge for bags have special rates for skis. often a ski bag + boot bag will = 1 chargeable item. i've stuffed lots of extra stuff in the empty spaces of the ski/boot bags and just done carry on for the rest. had plenty of space that way.

 

[Talisman]

Check Continental's policy on sporting equipment on line. Most airlines allow skis, boots and bindings to fly free as checked luggage. Print the page and bring it with you. I fly a lot for work so have FF status that allows me to be exempt from baggage fees.

I usually pack my bootbag with enough ski clothes to function as a carry on so if my checked luggage doesn't make it, I can rent skis and stil have a day on the slopes.

 

[gmcunni]

from continental site sounds like 1 ski + 1 boot bag = 1 billable item -

Up to 2 pair of snow skis and associated equipment in 1 bag and 1 ski boot bag. (Note: If ski boot bag contains other items in addition to or in place of boots, it will be subject to applicable baggage fees or excess baggage fees.)

basically warning against stuffing extra stuff but it is the same rule elsewhere and many people do it without getting caught. checking luggage at the curb and tipping the guy probably ensures you don't have a problem.

 

[Cheese]

not sure about continental but many airlines that charge for bags have special rates for skis. often a ski bag + boot bag will = 1 chargeable item. i've stuffed lots of extra stuff in the empty spaces of the ski/boot bags and just done carry on for the rest. had plenty of space that way.

They should count a ski bag and a boot bag as 1.

Ski bag should hold a decent amount of stuff. Wrap the bindings in something other than clothes as they can tear things up when the baggage handlers toss your stuff around. If you're going to stuff your boot bag, make sure it has a zipper closure. I've seen Velcro closure boot bags come off the belt open and missing items.

I could never fit enough clothes in a carry-on so it's always 2 bags for me. In the future, look into Jet Blue and Southwest so there aren't bag charges. Sometimes the cheapest flight isn't the cheapest after you tack on $140 for luggage.

 

[abc]

Boot bag IS your second piece, without paying as such!

Stuff socks inside the boot. Outside the boot, just put whatever you want. Fill the bag without over-stuffing it. The rest should fit into a carry on.

(if you can't do that, and you're not a woman, you should get a sex change! )

 

[jrmagic]

(if you can't do that, and you're not a woman, you should get a sex change! )

This FTW:razz:

 

[SkiFanE]

I'm the queen of light packing, could do a 4 day business trip on a half size carry-on.

Look at your clothing and choose the thinnest/lightest you have (jammies, long underwear, etc). Wear one pair of jeans, pack another of you need to, or not. Just evaluate every single piece before you put it in bag. I'd choose 2 thinner layers over a thick fleecy layer, smaller to pack. That's it...be smart.

 

[tarponhead]

Thanks all for the replies. Continental charges $25 for the ski bag as stated on their site. I don't have a bootbag but my smallish backpack has straps that I can use for the boots.

Good catch on NOT stuffing the bootbag; i.e., nothing said about ski bag. I plan to wrap the tips and tails with some ski clothing.

Also, this is a club trip so I had no say on the airlines, but the JetBlue comment is noted for future

 

[dennis]

Dress like you were hitting the slopes and when you get on the plane take it off and put it in you boot bag, saved $105 for an extra day of skiing. my .02

 

[Cheese]

(if you can't do that, and you're not a woman, you should get a sex change! )

:smash:

We're talking a 7 day trip, right?

Boot bag:
1 pair of boots
1 helmet
2 pair goggles
1 fleece
1 pair gloves
1 pair mittens
3 packs chemical hand warmers
hot sticks

Ski bag:
1 carving boards
1 powder boards
1 poles
1 ski pants
1 hikers
2 ski socks
2 base layer bottoms
2 base layer tops
2 mid layer tops

Checked bag:
3 underwear
3 socks
3 shirts
3 pants
1 shoes
Huck doll (to be awarded to the one who performs the biggest leap on the trip)
Multi-tool
7 Protein bars
Vodka
Martini shaker
detergent
bathroom kit

Carry-On bag (Hydration pack):
Cribbage board
Cards
1 pair ski socks
1 base layer bottom
1 base layer top
1 mid layer top


This works if you can do laundry at least once where you're staying. Sadly I'll need close to this for the 3-day Loaf trip!

 

[mikestaple]

Check ur bags at the curb. Leave a nice tip. You never know what tude you're going to get to at the counter. The porter will check anything.

If ur changing planes in Denver, check ur connection time and consider how much you can lug in a full sprint. You'll be landing on one side of that huge airport and the puddle jumper to Hayden will be on the other end of the building

Since Continental and United have merged they have been eliminating flights through Chicago and Denver and tightening up connection times.

On the return trip, at the Hayden airport, if ur bags are pushing 50 lbs, position them with the edge off the scale and lift them up with ur toe to get under 50. I'm not saying I've done this at Hayden, but my wallet didn't have to pay for an oversized bag. (you'll see what I mean when u get to the check in area and how it is lid out in Hayden)
Steamboat rocks. Enjoy Morningside, Storm Peak, and all those trees.

 

[tarponhead]

On the return trip, at the Hayden airport, if ur bags are pushing 50 lbs, position them with the edge off the scale and lift them up with ur toe to get under 50. I'm not saying I've done this at Hayden, but my wallet didn't have to pay for an oversized bag. (you'll see what I mean when u get to the check in area and how it is lid out in Hayden)

:lol:

El cheapo trip. Bus from Denver to SB. But we will stop at a grocery store on the way so the only $ I gotta spring for meals is dinner

 

[tarponhead]

Dress like you were hitting the slopes and when you get on the plane take it off and put it in you boot bag, saved $105 for an extra day of skiing. my .02

If I can't get my ski pants in the carry-on, I'm wearing them

 

[abc]

We're talking a 7 day trip, right?

Boot bag:
1 pair of boots
1 helmet -- carry on (clip to backpack)!
2 pair goggles -- cut to 1 pair
1 fleece
1 pair gloves -- Wear that!
1 pair mittens
3 packs chemical hand warmers
hot sticks
Room for more clothing to make laundry unnecessary!

Ski bag:
1 carving boards
1 powder boards
1 poles
1 ski pants
1 hikers -- What's that?
2 ski socks -- Move to Boot Bag (stuff inside boot)
2 base layer bottoms
2 base layer tops
2 mid layer tops
Sunscreen

Checked bag: Makes it a carry-on size and CARYY ON!
3 underwear
3 socks
3 shirts
3 pants
1 shoes -- What shoes? Wear it!
Huck doll (to be awarded to the one who performs the biggest leap on the trip)
Multi-tool
7 Protein bars
Vodka
Martini shaker
detergent - CUT!
bathroom kit
More room for more clothing to make laundry unnecessary!

Carry-On bag (Hydration pack): (this is allowed in addition to regular size carry-on)
Cribbage board - CUT!
Cards - CUT
1 pair ski socks
1 base layer bottom
1 base layer top
1 mid layer top


This works if you can do laundry at least once where you're staying. Sadly I'll need close to this for the 3-day Loaf trip!

There's no need to do laundry! You've got room to take more change clothes to eliminate that.

 

[snowmonster]

Packed this way for a four day trip:

Checked-in ski bag - two skis and poles with bubble wrap around bIndings, toiletries, sweater, dressy shoes, tuning and waxing kit, shorts and t shirts.

Carry-on backpack - four days worth of base layers and socks, ski pants, button down shirt (for a night out on the town), books, computer with fleece jacket, helmet and shell strapped to sides. Boots slung over pack.

Wore a nice shirt, jacket and jeans with hiking boots.

First checked bag free. Hello ski vacation!

 

[Geoff]

Rule #1: Never, ever, ever check your boots

Rule #2: See rule #1

I have a High Sierra boot bag with backpack straps. I put everything I need to ski the first day in the boot bag. I dangle my helmet bag off the back of the boot bag. My second carry-on bag is a roll-aboard.

A trick with the boot bag:
It won't fit in the overhead totally loaded. I put kitchen trash bags in the side zip pockets and fill those with clothing. When I get on the plane, I unzip the side pockets, remove the two trash bags of clothes, and the boot bag will then fit with the boots oriented sideways.

With a boot bag and a roll-aboard, I can do a 2 or 3 day business trip plus 2 day ski trip where I just rent performance demos.

I've traveled like that maybe 10 times and have never had a customer service agent tell me I couldn't take the stuff on the plane. I always try to be the first in my group to board since I'm hogging overhead space. For longer trips where I'm checking a bag, I still load up the boot bag the same way but just use a zip canvas bag as my 2nd bag. When I get my big bag from the airline, I collapse everything I carried onto the plane into the big bag. I've done 3 week trips that way.

 

[mlctvt]

Is there any problem having boot heater batteries in your carry on? They're on my boots that I'll carry on. I figure they're not much different than a laptop battery so they should be ok?

 

[Geoff]

Is there any problem having boot heater batteries in your carry on? They're on my boots that I'll carry on. I figure they're not much different than a laptop battery so they should be ok?

No problem at all.

 

[Smellytele]

Okay I know there is 3 or 4 other threads on this but here goes again:
I wrap my skis with all my base layer stuff never had any issue. Also put my ski pants in there with other clothing as well.
I carry on my boot bag. Boots stuffed with socks and gloves/mittens/neck warmers etc. My helmet/goggles fit in this bag as well. My bag is quite big so I can also stuff in first day base layer, hand warmers, portable boot dryers (the kind that can plug into a 12volt outlet as well as 120v).
With the family we can usually get away with a total of 4 checked bags- 2 ski bags and 2 clothes suitcases.