Traveling out west ????

[Anklebiter]

I know it's been talked about before, but a new season upon us. My browser wouldn't open the Delta baggage policy, so I don't know if it's changed since last season. Anyways, I'm leaning toward just renting skis and poles, when I head out to Utah in January. It will give me a chance to demo some new skis with dropping big $$$. I'm hoping to pack light and stuff all my gear in my boot bag and laptop backpack. Though, I doubt that's going to work. I'll probably have to check a bag anyways.

So, how to do all you guys and gals travel?

I think we'll be staying in Midvale. Does anyone know of a good ski shop to rent skis for 4 days? We will be skiing Snowbird, Alta, Brighton & Solitude.

Thanks

 

[whitemtn27]

If you're checking one bag anyway, you might as well take your skis. I know for sure that United, American, and Continental consider (1 ski bag + 1 boot bag) to equal one checked bag. So I generally use that as my one checked bag and carry on a backpack with whatever didn't fit around my skis and boots.

Technically, the ski bag combo can 'only' contain the actual sports equipment, but I pack all my gear and a bunch of clothing in it and I've never had them say anything... on United to Denver, anyway, haven't tried that with the other carriers.

 

[billski]

I know it's been talked about before, but a new season upon us. My browser wouldn't open the Delta backage policy, so I don't know if it's changed since last season. Anyways, I'm leaning toward just renting skis and poles, when I head out to Utah in January. It will give me a chance to demo some new skis with dropping big $$$. I'm hoping to pack light and stuff all my gear in my boot bag and laptop backpack. Though, I doubt that's going to work. I'll probably have to check a bag anyways.

So, how to do all you guys and gals travel?

I think we'll be staying in Midvale. Does anyone know of a good ski shop to rent skis for 4 days? We will be skiing Snowbird, Alta, Brighton & Solitude.

Thanks

I always rent skis/pole and bring my boots. That way you can get the right skis for the right conditions. I've had hardpack days, I've had powder days. Besides, carrying skis is a PITA and they are often the last things to show up on the airport carousel.

Watch out on the 50-lb limit per bag. Overstuffing has its downsides.

 

[hammer]

Watch out on the 50-lb limit per bag. Overstuffing has its downsides.

We have a large bag that we take on vacation that's easy to stuff over the 50 lb limit...have had at least a few times that we've moved things around at the airport.

Related question: when I go out to Utah in Feb, what level of skis should I rent? Would getting the "demo" level make a difference for an intermediate?

 

[billski]

We have a large bag that we take on vacation that's easy to stuff over the 50 lb limit...have had at least a few times that we've moved things around at the airport.

Related question: when I go out to Utah in Feb, what level of skis should I rent? Would getting the "demo" level make a difference for an intermediate?

YES. they are not only better skis, but better loved and not "usually" abused by the customers.

 

[Puck it]

They tried to get me to pay for two bags out Boston when I went on Delta last year. Ski bag and boot bag count as one, but the woman tried to make me pay for two since I had other things in my boot bag(which was not my boot bag, boots were in my carry on). She could not charge because I all ready paid online, so she let it go but had me sign a damge waiver on the skis. Leaving SLC they did not even bat an eye on the two bags.

 

[Anklebiter]

I always rent skis/pole and bring my boots. That way you can get the right skis for the right conditions. I've had hardpack days, I've had powder days. Besides, carrying skis is a PITA and they are often the last things to show up on the airport carousel.QUOTE]

Do you rent skis each day or paid for all days in advance? If you pay for says, four days in advance will they let you trade out skis depending on conditions?

 

[wa-loaf]

Fly Southwest. No bag fees, ski friendly. I carried my boots and a backpack on the plane.

 

[billski]

I always rent skis/pole and bring my boots. That way you can get the right skis for the right conditions. I've had hardpack days, I've had powder days. Besides, carrying skis is a PITA and they are often the last things to show up on the airport carousel.QUOTE]

Do you rent skis each day or paid for all days in advance? If you pay for says, four days in advance will they let you trade out skis depending on conditions?

I make reservations, but don't remember having to pay in advance. When I get there, I know pretty much I'm going to ski for X days, and I rent for that long. Everyplace I know offers a changeout on demos (that's why they call them demo), if you don't like them, conditions change, etc. Just ask first when making a res.

If you plan to wander from area to area, better to select a shop close to your home base, so swapout is easier.
If you rent demos, get there as early as you can, so you can get the best demo for the conditions. If not, you'll get some demo, but it may not be optimal. Competition for scarce resource as a business case study...

I've heard of two good shops in the Midvale/Sandy area - just making my plans for SLC. I don't remember, check over at epicski for shop recommendations.

 

[neil]

Fly Southwest. No bag fees, ski friendly. I carried my boots and a backpack on the plane.

Definitely. They were so easy to deal with when I checked my board bag in when I flew to SLC.

If only they flew into Montana!

 

[Anklebiter]

Fly Southwest. No bag fees, ski friendly. I carried my boots and a backpack on the plane.

The ski club has already booked with Delta and I've already paid for the trip. If I was going on my own, I'd most likely would have book with southwest.

 

[mondeo]

Flew American from Hartford to Vancouver. No issues in the middle of summer in Hartford, some confusion in Vancouver becasue they force you to the kiosk so you only end up with one luggage tag for two physical pieces of luggage.

Plus the baggage handlers on the way out broke the strap for my Transpack.

 

[snowmonster]

You may want to consider renting skis that you wouldn't normally be skiing out in the East like Bro Model or dps skis (assuming, of course, that conditions are right). Check out these guys: http://wasatchpowderskis.com/featured-skis.html

I do a lot of travelling to visit family and make it a point to fly the same airline so I can rack up the miles and take advantage of the frequent flier privileges (like free bag check). FWIW, if you have an Amex-Delta credit card, your bags fly for free.

 

[mikestaple]

Flew out of Boston last Feb on United to Steamboat - 4 adults and 7 kids (no, I am not insane - yet).

We threw the little kid skis into regular bags with clothes etc and checked those. The big kids and moms and dads doubled up in regular ski bags with poles - and stuffed extra ski bags in there just in case we got a luggage nazi and had to break down the over stuffing into other bags (especially if there was a weight issue - overweight costs more than an extra bag)

(Name escapes me - what is the backpack with the boot holders on the side? All the kids had that with their winter stuff and electronic airplane pacifier stuff for carry on.)

Anyway - United has porters at BOS. We dumped the luggage on these guys, they could have cared less. Especially after we dropped two 20s on them as a tip.

On the way home - Hayden was all laid out for handling skis and they really only care about the 50lb limit.

From other experiences (golf bags) I can't stress enough the need to stay under 50lbs. They usually don't care, but if you go over 50lbs, you will get nailed. If you have an oversized bag - you will get nailed. Ski bags, though, are given an exception for oversized.

Good luck!!!!

 

[gmcunni]

to CO last year we brought our gear.

put my skis and daughter's boots in my ski bag (11 YO, small boots)

put son's + daughter skis in 2nd ski bag

we stuffed every knook and cranny of the two transpack boot bags with everything we possibly could. we jammed a few things like shells and base layers in the ski bags too.

we did carried on bags for our cloths.

delta in LGA was good about the ski/boot combo. counted as 1 item, no questions or hassles. $20 each for the ski/boot bag combos

 

[RISkier]

Fly Southwest. No bag fees, ski friendly. I carried my boots and a backpack on the plane.

To some extent we've gotten to the point where we actually pick places to go based on where Southwest flies. I wouldn't say it dictates our choices but it's a consideration. Not always cheap but no bag fees, no BS, and if anyone can get you there pretty much on time it's Southwest.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Fly Southwest. No bag fees, ski friendly. I carried my boots and a backpack on the plane.

Flew SW from Albany to SLC last winter. In my ski bag I had 2 pairs of skis, and 1 pair of poles. My suitcase was massive. It had my boots plus all of my gear and clothes in it. then I wore a ski jacket and wore my backpack wit laptop plus some other electronics. When I weighed the suitcase it was 2 pounds over the 50# limit. the counter lady told me to take some stuff and throw it in my backpack real quick.

 

[whitemtn27]

Ditto that about United... I've flown them many times because they have a ton of nonstops from Boston to Denver, some of which continue to Vail in the winter. Have flown them to Calgary and SLC too. Never been hassled with ski stuff, and a few times I've really pushed it and taken multiple pairs in one bag, etc. They do charge for checked bags now, but if you can't make Southwest work they are a good alternative, I would consider them a ski-friendly airline.

 

[Cannonball]

Does anyone know of a good ski shop to rent skis for 4 days? We will be skiing Snowbird, Alta, Brighton & Solitude.

I demo'd right on the Mtn at Snowbird. The shop is in Snowbird Center right by the tram. The gear was high end, new model Dynastar and Lange. I don't remember the prices, but I remember that it seemed reasonable. I kept 'em for a few days. That could cover you for Snowbird and Alta, and possibly the rest depending on your itinerary. Not sure that you'd find the same level of gear at Brighton/Solitude as the amenities are substantially less than at Snowbird (although still kick ass terrain).

 

[dmc]

FWIW, if you have an Amex-Delta credit card, your bags fly for free.

Yup.....