flying to Denver with skis

[mishka]

As to SLC, one can ski for free (or half price) at the major resorts on the first day that you fly in. Alta/Snowbird are half-price. Deer Valley used to be free. Check their websites for more information.

I will say that Denver is a big city, so if you like big cities, then go there. But it is a long way from the mountains. DEN is even further away. When you land you will wonder where the damn mountains are. I won't even mention the traffic.

Compare it to SLC. 5 minutes from SLC to Downtown. No joke. It's an easy 45 mins or less from SLC to Snowbird. Less than an hour to pretty much every other area in the SLC vicinity. All major places. No traffic to speak of generally.

No brainer.

actually I don't like big city and plan was not to be in the Denver at all.
What you describing sounds like I'll be better off in Utah compared to Colorado......food for thought

Feel free to shoot me a PM for advice on Utah.

thank you. will do tomorrow

 

[trackbiker]

Southwest lets you check 2 bags and ski & boot bag count as one bag. I use a soft ski bag and never had a problem. One time they checked my boot bag at the counter and made me take my ski pants and jacket out of my boot bag saying it was "clothes" and not "sports equipment". Otherwise never had a problem leaving those things in but I do check at the curb when I can with a nice tip.
I would recommend Utah as well for convenience and saving money by not needing a rental car. Most hotels in the valley will pick up at the airport and drop you at the ski bus lots. If you buy your discount ticket at the hotel it includes the ski bus for free.

 

[slatham]

My brother had a horrible experience with lost skis on Southwest.

As for me, I always rent skis. I carry on boots and cloths, no checked anything (if I am solo).

 

[Puck it]

Hotels are cheaper in Utah. Stay the Midvale Cotton Tree Best Western. The rental cars are a little more in Utah and the code I have does not work in Utah.

 

[gmcunni]

Hotels are cheaper in Utah. Stay the Midvale Cotton Tree Best Western. The rental cars are a little more in Utah and the code I have does not work in Utah.

there are buses up LCC, i'm told (never did it) that you can do no car without much hassle.

 

[JonD]

I'm flying out there in a week and half on Jetblue. I plan on checking my skis(soft bag) and boots, carrying on the rest. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Puck it]

there are buses up LCC, i'm told (never did it) that you can do no car without much hassle.

yes there are. They stop by this hotel.

 

[gmcunni]

yes there are. They stop by this hotel.

any idea how long the bud ride is?

 

[Puck it]

any idea how long the bud ride is?

Not sure. I know there are a bunch of stops and they stop at the entrance to each canyon.
I always do a rental car

 

[wa-loaf]

I've done both SLC and Denver with skis several times on Southwest. No issues so far. I'll be in SLC 1/22-25 and taking Southwest.

 

[Old Duderino]

I just went through this Utah vs Colorado exercise while planning my family's early March trip. We went with Co because we have a free place to stay in Aspen along with a free suv to get us there. If I had to pay for everything I wouldn't hesitate to pick Utah, even though the airfare is considerably more you make up for it in lodging and lift ticket prices. If you search one of those websites like trip advisor or home away in SLC you can find a nice condo for less per night than a chain hotel.

Denver is a bigger city with a lot more direct flights (at least from the Wash DC area) and cheaper airfare. I just got tickets on Frontier for $225. They are a low budget airline based in Denver and not as baggage friendly as Southwest so we are planning to ship our skis/snowboards via FedEx or UPS. The people at our condo recommended it and even if it doesn't save us much money at least we don't have to lug all this gear around the airport with my family of four.

I don't know how up to date this is, but here's a link to a website that tracks all the airlines baggage fees, http://www.airlinebagfees.com/baggage/charts/?gclid=CKStjLma0MICFY87MgodsG0A9Q

 

[gmcunni]

any idea how long the bud ride is?

Not sure. I know there are a bunch of stops and they stop at the entrance to each canyon.
I always do a rental car

looks like an hour for the full ride, not sure where the hotel is on the route.

http://www.rideuta.com/mc/?page=UTA-Home-Bus

 

[Puck it]

looks like an hour for the full ride, not sure where the hotel is on the route.

http://www.rideuta.com/mc/?page=UTA-Home-Bus

near the mall in Midavle by the interstate.

 

[mikestaple]

Just keep it under 50lbs and you'll be fine.


Sent from my iPad using AlpineZone

 

[ScottySkis]

Go to Utah for cheaper skiing and great snow fall at the 4 mountain s by Slc. I jealous.

 

[gmcunni]

bump an old thread

flying Friday to Denver on JetBlue. i think we'll rent skis and not have to check any bags, IF i can figure out what to do with helmets.

renting a helmet bugs me (literally, as in the very remote chance of lice) so want to bring our own but can't squeeze it in a carry-on bag. has anyone tried clipping the helmet to the outside of a backpack to get on the plane without pay fees?

 

[Funky_Catskills]

Bring it on plane jam it under the seat in front of you

 

[jaytrem]

has anyone tried clipping the helmet to the outside of a backpack to get on the plane without pay fees?

I do that all the time. Never had an issue.

 

[Vortex]

Going via Southwest to Denver next week. Never had an issue with skis in a bag. I pack my ski bag with clothes anyway. I keep my helmet in my carry on Bag. Trying fox for a car rental. No experience with them.

 

[Domeskier]

If they give you any trouble with your helmet, just wear it.