Gearing up for first western trip, what do I need?

[JDMRoma]

I have a Sport Tube for 3 pairs of skis, with 3 it does put you over the weight limit.
Funny TSA story, Im anal about my ski's probably as bad as the rest of you ! In the sport tube you have the bindings to bindings, so bases are facing out. I taped cardboard to the bottoms to protect them from the case…also just happened to have a large roll of shrink wrap handy and thought what the hell and wrapped it all up before putting in the tube. well wouldn't ya know, TSA cut it all off to see what I had in there. Cant imagine what they were thinking…..who was this Nut Job. They did get everything back in so it was all good. on the way back I just taped the cardboard and it was still exactly as I packed it. Im heading out for Christmas again this year and may just rent….cant make up my mind

 

[Bene288]

Can't say enough good things about Southwest. Since you are flying them, bringing your skis may be an option if you have a good bag and the skis are fat enough for out west.

And why are you flying to SF for Tahoe? Why not Reno?

I was waiting for that question! My uncle lives in San Francisco, he's picking us up at the airport then we're heading to his cabin in Tahoe.

 

[Domeskier]

My point is that everyone has a backpack, but you guys are buying specific bags for high end, incredibly durable, pieces of plastic. You know, plastics that are designed to land 50-100 ft cliff drops, plastics that will perform from -50 to 75 degrees or so, for years on end with little maintenance. But they need their own bag to get on a plane? Just throw them in whatever you have and be done with it.

Yeah, I always wondered when the boot bag manufacturers would come to their senses and stop marketing their products as a way to prevent boot damage.

 

[Bene288]

My point is that everyone has a backpack, but you guys are buying specific bags for high end, incredibly durable, pieces of plastic. You know, plastics that are designed to land 50-100 ft cliff drops, plastics that will perform from -50 to 75 degrees or so, for years on end with little maintenance. But they need their own bag to get on a plane? Just throw them in whatever you have and be done with it.

It's more so they don't get lost or separated from the other equipment. The airline said they want them in a bag. Sure, boots are durable, but they're not bullet proof. The buckles can break if they're hit in the wrong spot.

 

[goldsbar]

I've seen people carry on there boots as is, not bag. I have a Dakine boot bag that's basically a rectangular backpack (not the triangle kind) that fits boots, helmet, goggles, gloves, etc. You can wear it as a pack and it fits in carry on. Most backpacks are not optimized for the rectangular carry on shape.

I usually bring my skis, but do recommend rentals if you can find a deal. It's actually a lot of fun to try different skis. I had a blast on 115mm surfy powder skis in Alta on a powder day that I could never justifying buying here.

 

[snoseek]

I would carry on boots and demo different skis each day. That way if we get 3 feet of dense snow you can try something in the 115ish range, or if its hardpack you can get something 80ish. It will cost more but you'll also have that flexibility. Oh and don't forget to bring some snow!

 

[HowieT2]

My point is that everyone has a backpack, but you guys are buying specific bags for high end, incredibly durable, pieces of plastic. You know, plastics that are designed to land 50-100 ft cliff drops, plastics that will perform from -50 to 75 degrees or so, for years on end with little maintenance. But they need their own bag to get on a plane? Just throw them in whatever you have and be done with it.

ha! I made fun of my wife for using a boot bag....until she got me one. Makes life much easier. My ski gear lives in that boot bag except to be used or cleaned.

 

[steamboat1]

I can see not bringing skis, but not having your own boots is nuts.

You haven't seen my boots.

 

[gladerider]

i see people carrying on their boots plus backpacks all the time. i guess some airlines are more strict than others.
i always rent my board but bring my boots. i try out couple new boards the first part of the trip, which is when i am scanning and checking out nooks and crany. then i pick the one i like for the rest of the trip, which is when i try to push the envelop a little bit.

also, it sounds like you have not been up in high altitude. proper hydration helps to avoid altitude sickness.

 

[trackbiker]

Surprise nobody mentioned this yet, I love Southwest, but there are no assigned seats. Set an alarm on your phone or whatever you have to do to remind you to check in 24 hrs. in advance. Not 23.5 hrs. in advance. Otherwise you will be stuck in a middle seat for a 6 hr. flight to the west coast and may have trouble finding space in the overhead bins. They board by number and the lower the number the earlier you board the plane.
They let you check 2 bags of "sports" equipment. I check my skis in one bag and my boot bag with ski gear in another and carry on my regular clothes. I did have one time where they made me take my parka and ski pants out of my boot bag. But out of 10+ round trips that was only once so I would risk putting your parka and ski pants in a boot bag but I don't make it look too packed anymore.

 

[ScottySkis]

Have fun.

 

[C-Rex]

Surprise nobody mentioned this yet, I love Southwest, but there are no assigned seats. Set an alarm on your phone or whatever you have to do to remind you to check in 24 hrs. in advance. Not 23.5 hrs. in advance. Otherwise you will be stuck in a middle seat for a 6 hr. flight to the west coast and may have trouble finding space in the overhead bins. They board by number and the lower the number the earlier you board the plane.
They let you check 2 bags of "sports" equipment. I check my skis in one bag and my boot bag with ski gear in another and carry on my regular clothes. I did have one time where they made me take my parka and ski pants out of my boot bag. But out of 10+ round trips that was only once so I would risk putting your parka and ski pants in a boot bag but I don't make it look too packed anymore.

+1 I've always had great experiences with SW. And don't forget you can always just pay the $10 for priority boarding and be in the A group. Worth it for the price of 2 beers.

About the bootbag thing, I can see the point that the plastics don't need protection but what if something gets spilled on your stuff? Do you want your liners soaked with some mystery fluid? Huh, DO YA?!

 

[ScottySkis]

Shampoo bottle great for hiding Mary Jane FYI.

 

[Smellytele]

Shampoo bottle great for hiding Mary Jane FYI.

In CO/WA you can just buy it there legally now. No need to fly with it.

 

[4aprice]

In CO/WA you can just buy it there legally now. No need to fly with it.

Unfortunately one thing that concerns me is neighboring states may be looking out for this. ie if your going from Colorado to Utah be careful. Read on another forum that LE has been setting up check points near Co boarder.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[ScottySkis]

Unfortunately one thing that concerns me is neighboring states may be looking out for this. ie if your going from Colorado to Utah be careful. Read on another forum that LE has been setting up check points near Co boarder.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

+1 and federal laws take over state law in airports I believe. Suitcase in shampoo bottles work great for stealth processing.

 

[jimk]

You're already sounding like a savvy, thrifty ski bum by utilizing hospitality of west coast relatives Since you're using SWA and get two sports bags free you might as well bring your own skis and boots. Are the local ski shops or ski patrols still doing preseason swaps in your area? Used ski and boot bags can be very cheap (<$10) sometimes at swaps. Good way to build travel kit and if they get lost or ripped at airport or stolen from an open cubby at far off ski area while you're out skiing - no great loss. Hydration on the slopes is good idea, although Tahoe areas not nearly as high and tiring as first few days in Colorado. Just carrying a standard plastic water bottle (not too big), keeping it in a jacket pocket, and refilling a couple times a day at a ski lodge water fountain works for me. Be nice to uncle so you get a return invite

 

[Smellytele]

As far as Hydration I do you usually use a camelback type pack with a little storage room for a layer or 2 I may remove and a snack. I find that I do not like going into a lodge out west unless I really need to. Getting back to where you are storing your stuff can be a PIA most of the time as well.

 

[snoseek]

Unfortunately one thing that concerns me is neighboring states may be looking out for this. ie if your going from Colorado to Utah be careful. Read on another forum that LE has been setting up check points near Co boarder.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Can confirm, was staying near the border last week and drove over three times and on all occasions the police were just waiting on I70, police state I tell ya. If I were to bring weed into Utah I would use my ski poles.

 

[thetrailboss]

Sounds like my (new) home state of Utah. :roll:

Agree on taking steps to be ready for the altitude.