Ski Travel: What to Pack & How to Fly With Ski Gear (Airline Rules + Hacks)
Published by Allie Hochman
A Stress-Free Guide To Flying With Ski Gear
Now that we’re in peak snow season, it’s time to jet off to those epic ski destinations. And flying with ski gear doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does require some careful planning. From airline baggage rules and ski equipment weight limits to protecting your skis, boots, and helmet in transit, there are a few key things every traveler should know before heading to the airport.
Whether you’re packing for a long weekend ski trip in the U.S. or breaking out your passport for an international winter vacation, this guide outlines how to pack for a ski trip by plane, how to protect your gear, and how to avoid unexpected airline baggage fees when flying with skis or a snowboard.
Essential Packing Tips for Ski Trips by Plane
Prioritize Your Boots
First things first, we highly recommend using a detailed packing list to ensure no glove, sock, or piece of clothing gets left behind. And if there’s one piece of gear you certainly don’t want getting damaged or lost, it’s your boots. Having to resort to rental boots can put a damper on the entire trip, so many experienced skiers and boarders choose to bring their boots as a carry-on whenever possible, packing in a lightweight backpack like the Käydä or Kartta Travel Backpack, both airline-compliant carry-on bags.
However, if you do check your boots, be sure to pack them in a structured boot bag that keeps them protected and separate from sharp edges or other heavy gear. Plus, the interior compartments help to organize socks, gloves, base layers, and other items efficiently.
Pro Tip: Whenever you check your boots, keep any custom insolesor footbeds in your carry-on, so if boot rentals are necessary, you can make them as comfortable and familiar as possible.
Distribute Weight Strategically
The majority of airlines generally enforce a 50-pound weight limit for checked baggage, including ski equipment. Rather than packing everything into your designated ski or snowboard bag, distribute the weight between your ski bag and boot bag. So, heavier items like helmets, goggles, outerwear, and midlayers can be packed separately to avoid overweight fees.
Use Soft Goods to Protect Hard Gear
One of the smartest ski travel hacks comes from using what you already have - your clothes! Let all of those clothing layers double as padding, since you’ll be bringing them anyway. Wrap your snow pants, base layers, and fleece jackets around delicate gear - like ski tips and tails, bindings, and poles - to help cushion your equipment in transit while maximizing space inside your bag.
Roll, Don’t Fold
As with all clothing, technical ski apparel can be packed more efficiently when rolled tightly, rather than folded into voluminous piles. Plus, the rolling method minimizes bulk, reduces wrinkles, and creates flexible gaps that can be used to fill space around your equipment. Packing cubes, like the Kaamos Boot Cube, which comes in three sizes to fit seamlessly into a variety of carry-on bags, work wonders and keep weathered boots separate from clean clothes, accessories, and other items within your larger travel bag.
Keep Essentials Within Reach
The reality is, air travel delays happen, so preparation is key. Always pack at least one day’s worth of essentials in your carry-on. We recommend including base layers, ski socks, goggles, gloves, and anything else you simply can’t go the day without. This way, even with delayed luggage, you can still head straight to the mountain and make the most of your vacation while the remainder of your gear catches up.
Airline Baggage Rules for Ski & Snowboard Gear
Every airline is entitled to its own set of guidelines when it comes to carry-on allowances, and evidently, the same goes for checked baggage. However, the key to keeping your number of checked bags to a minimum is taking advantage of the sports equipment exception - something that not all travelers are aware of. The majority of airlines will allow passengers to bring along a boot bag plus a ski or snowboard bag and count the two pieces of luggage as one checked item. So, for the ultimate winter flight hack, just follow the guidelines that pertain to your airline, and get ready for endless slopeside adventures.
Delta
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 50 Pounds
- Size Limit: 115 Inches
Of all U.S. airlines, Delta has proven to be one of the more flexible companies, allowing a boot bag plus a ski or snowboard bag to count as one checked item. And, they’ll allow the singular ski bag to hold two sets of skis, as long as the total weight remains under 50 pounds. While heavier bags will trigger an overweight cost, Delta does not state an overall limit on weight, unlike some other airlines. Plus, if the ski bag exceeds 115 inches, they’ll often waive any oversize fees as long as the weight doesn’t surpass the limit.
United
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 50 Pounds
- Size Limit: None
Similar to Delta, United Airlines permits passengers to bring up to two sets of skis or two snowboards in a bag, paired with a boot bag, which counts as one checked item. When it comes to the length of your checked equipment, the sky is the limit, as United has no restrictions on size. However, they'll charge an overweight fee if the set exceeds 50 pounds. In an effort to remain consistent with their rules, United has shared that ski, snowboard, or boot bags may not be used to hold unrelated sports equipment, as this will disqualify passengers from utilizing the two-for-one checked bag method.
JetBlue
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 50 Pounds
- Size Limit: 80 Inches
JetBlue certainly allows a boot bag plus a ski or snowboard to be checked as one item, but it’s important to be aware of their more limited size and weight guidelines. They ask that passengers keep the weight of the combined items to 50 pounds; However, they’ll allow bags up to 99 pounds, at most, which will require an added cost. Before zipping your bags and boarding the flight, make note that in the unfortunate case that any of your gear gets damaged, JetBlue will only cover the cost of the item if it’s packed in a hard, protective case.
American
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 50 Pounds
- Size Limit: 155 Inches
American Airlines permits passengers to bring one boot bag along with one ski bag, making for one checked item, as long as the ski bag doesn’t exceed 155 inches in length. They recommend keeping the weight of the combined items at 50 pounds, but up to 70 will be allowed - just beware of the overweight fee. American has also made customers aware that if one of these bags is used to hold unrelated items, such as clothing, without housing any ski or snowboard equipment, it may not qualify as a counterpart of the sports equipment exception.
Frontier
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 25 Pounds for Boot Bag, 40 Pounds for Combined Items
- Size Limit: None
While Frontier typically makes an exception for oversized ski and snowboard bags in length, they do require all boot bags to be under 25 pounds if a passenger plans to pair it with a ski bag to equal one item. The combined weight of both bags may not exceed 40 pounds, so it’s essential to use lightweight travel equipment when packing! Frontier also recommends that all customers account for their checked baggage upon purchasing the airline ticket, as paying for this at the airport will likely require a higher cost.
Southwest
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 50 Pounds
- Size Limit: None
Like Frontier, Southwest also does not specify a length limitation when checking a ski or snowboard bag. As long as the total weight of the boot bag plus the ski or snowboard bag remains under 50 pounds, the airline will waive its typical oversized baggage fees, as it’s no secret that any ski bag is quite lengthy.
Spirit
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 50 Pounds
- Size Limit: 62 inches
Preparation is key with any sort of travel, so if you’re flying with skis or a snowboard on a Spirit Airlines trip, make note that to avoid oversized baggage fees, your gear may not exceed 62 inches. This is, of course, unavoidable in some cases, so as long as you’re willing to accept the required cost, then you’re ready to fly!
Allegiant
- Number of Bags Allowed: 1 Ski Bag + 1 Boot Bag = 1 Checked Item
- Weight Limit: 40 Pounds
- Size Limit: 80 inches
Like Spirit, Allegiant Airlines highly recommends declaring all baggage online prior to arriving at the airport to avoid any last-minute added costs. When packing your belongings for an Allegiant flight, keep in mind the size limitation, which is 80 inches. Longer ski and snowboard bags will be welcomed on the flight, they'll just require an added fee. From a weight perspective, it’s best to keep your gear bag combo under 40 pounds, as up to 70 pounds will trigger an overweight cost. The same goes for any baggage between 70 and 100 pounds - these items will be permitted, but as you can imagine, come with an even higher price.
Lightweight Ski, Snowboard, & Boot Bags to Make Your Trip as Seamless as Possible
Kantaja Double Roller Ski Bag
With the Kantaja Double Roller, you can securely pack not one, but two sets of skis, knowing your gear will remain intact even in the toughest turbulence, thanks to the internal ski stabilizer straps, quilted padding, and corner bumpers. The expandable zippered section allows you to adjust the bag length, so it can work wonders for a variety of ski sizes. Even when you find yourself running to the gate with only seconds to spare, the Double Roller certainly won’t slow you down, given the all-terrain wheel system, paired with the ergonomic pull options, so you and your gear will travel at lightning speed
Jyrkkä Snowboard Bag
The Jyrkkä provides the ultimate protection for your snowboard and gear, with space to hold boots, a helmet, tools, and apparel. Designed to check all the boxes, this bag is made with high-quality materials, impeccable workmanship, and thick padding for optimal protection and reliability. With technical features and adjustable length, the Jyrkkä can handle all the challenges of travel and beyond.
Powder Trekker Ski Boot Bag
When flying with an airline that has a rather strict weight limit on luggage, look no further than the Powder Trekker Ski Boot Bag. The Powder Trekker’s award-winning craftsmanship and lightweight material allow the bag itself to weigh less than two pounds, so you'll have no problem bringing along your boots, goggles, gloves, and other gear without the added weight of a bulky bag. Plus, with the Intuitive Packing System™, comprised of six individual pockets for elite organization, the slender shoulder straps, drainage grommets, and Smart Top™ Goggle Protection, this baby is the key to rapid loading, unloading, and seamless trips from the lot to the lift.