Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best way to travel with a snowboard or skis affordably

Don't lug those skis or snowboard through the airport or try to tie them to your car. Skip the stress and ship them instead

A group of friends posing with their snowboards and skis while standing in the snow.
Laura Corredor / Unsplash

Most people have a panic attack when they have to pack for a vacation. If you have to take any kind of sporting gear, the anxiety gets a little more intense. And winter gear is no joke, especially those skis or a snowboard.

How are you supposed to carry all that equipment through the parking lot and then the airport, all the way to check it in? What if you don’t have a car that you could fit them in or tie them to? The answer is that you don’t do any of that. We have the way for you to travel to your snowy destination without having to haul those skis or snowboard along every step of the way.

People carrying their snowboard gear through the snow
Visit Almaty / Pexels

Don’t check that gear in

We all have that fear that anything we check in at the airport will never make it to our destination and be lost forever. There’s not only the chance that your snowboarding gear won’t get there on time — or at all — but there’s the cost of checking it all in for your flight. 

Depending on the weight and how many pieces you have, you could get charged for multiple bags. We all know how those check-in fees have gotten higher in the last few years.

Bag check-in fees

  • The first bag costs between $30 and $90, depending on the weight and airline.
  • The second bag is an additional $35 to $90.
  • A third bag could run you $75 to $150.
People doing jumps on snowboard in the snow.
Colin Lloyd / Unsplash

Ship those skis

If a snowy trip to hit the slopes is in your future, you want the least stressful way to take your skis or snowboard. Shipping your gear to your destination is the only way to go. You have to book your resort and activities, so add shipping your winter equipment to the list.

Companies like (part of ) are a breath of fresh air. They allow you to ship your snow boots, skis, or snowboards ahead to your destination. 

Fun shipping facts

  • Choose whatever ship date you want.
  • Print out the shipping label to attach to all of your items.
  • Drop your items off at a location near you.
  • Or, if you don’t have time, they’ll come and pick up your stuff.
  • Items will get to where you’re staying before you do.

We love the option to have everything picked up if you don’t have time to drop them off. That’s a huge draw.

Other bonuses

  • Contactless pickup and delivery of your items
  • Actual people running the customer service, available by email, phone, and even text
  • Complimentary insurance on your precious cargo

More benefits of Ship Skis

  • It offers direct-to-destination shipping: Ship Skis partners with thousands of facilities and you’ll find a place to ship to for almost anywhere you are headed.
  • It is a cost-effective shipping alternative: The partnerships it has allows the company to offer shipping discounts that are comparable to checking your skis or snowboard gear with airlines.
  • It is backed by a guarantee: The on-time guarantee and insurance policy provide you with confidence that your snowboard or skis and other gear will arrive safely and in the condition they left. You can also track your shipment while it’s en route to its final destination.

Customer service that we could text? Yes, please. And contactless service is always appreciated.

Get that skiing weekend booked without worrying about needing extra hands to carry all your winter stuff. You don’t have to be that guy at the airport, and you don’t have to drop a fortune to look cool sending your skiing gear ahead of you. Travel in style — while staying on budget – when you ship your winter equipment instead of hurting your back carrying it all everywhere.

Editors' Recommendations

Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
Ditch the GPS: How to navigate using a map and compass
Don't worry, it's really not that difficult to find your way or location the old-school way
Fingers holding a map and compass in the outdoors

GPS devices and GPS apps for your phone and even navigation watches with GPX files are nearly foolproof today. But what about when you run out of battery or your waterproof device isn't as waterproof as you had hoped? Even worse, what if you spend your entire trip with your head buried in your GPS without taking the time to get to know your surroundings?

Here at The Manual, our number-one backpacking essential for every outdoor adventure is the humble map and compass. It's no use just buying these items and stuffing them into your backpack. First, you need to learn how to read a topographic map and know what all the twisting bits do and what the numbers mean on your compass. It can all look quite confusing, so we're going to demystify the art of how to navigate using a map and compass and let you go old school, ditch the GPS, and get to know your surroundings intimately.
Know the parts of the compass

Read more
A beginner’s guide to kayaking in the spring
If you haven't tried, it's time you do!
A Beginner's Guide to Kayaking

Is there a better time than now to start thinking about spring plans? It's springtime! Spending long, hazy days down by the water, lounging on the beach -- what about dipping your toes into the water and learning how to kayak? Now is the time to plan spring adventures to ensure the warm weather doesn't pass you by. This guide to kayaking for beginners is the perfect read to rekindle our favorite outdoor pastime.

Few things are more relaxing than a day on the water, whether it’s upright on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or from inside a canoe or kayak. If you’ve been dying to take up the latter, here’s the low-down on getting started with kayaking.
Prepping for the water

Read more
Pro tips from Chef Eduardo Garcia for cooking outdoors like a true mountain man
Here's how to really cook like a mountain man
Chef Eduardo Garcia.

When we think of mountain men, we tend to think of rugged and self-sufficient folks who live off of the land. And while that's mostly accurate, it's also 2024, and the definition has evolved. Today's mountain man is personified by chef Eduardo Garcia, who combines culinary expertise and the right cooking tools with an adventurous attitude and focus on the environment.

Garcia has put in some shifts. He's done everything from cooking on yachts to delivering motivational speeches. He's also the host of Big Sky Kitchen, now two seasons deep. The show focuses on outdoor cooking and the many joys of preparing and eating food in the context of nature.

Read more