How much does it cost to fly with skis?

Flying with skis costs $30–$75 each way on most US airlines, charged as a sports equipment fee. Delta and United charge $35 per ski bag. Southwest counts a ski bag as one of your two free checked bags at no extra cost. Boot bags are typically charged as a second regular checked bag. European carriers vary from around €30 to €75 depending on the airline and route.

Does Southwest allow free ski bags?

Yes. Southwest Airlines counts a ski bag (containing skis and poles) as one of your two free checked bags. Since Southwest already includes two free checked bags for all passengers, you effectively check your ski bag at no additional charge as long as it is within the weight limit. This makes Southwest one of the best airlines for ski travel in the US.

Can I bring ski boots in carry-on baggage?

Yes, ski boots are permitted in carry-on baggage — the TSA does not restrict them. However, a pair of alpine ski boots typically weighs 3–5 kg and takes significant space in your bag, making carry-on impractical for most travelers. A better approach is to pack ski boots in a separate soft boot bag and check it as your second bag, paying the standard checked bag fee.

Is it cheaper to rent skis at the resort?

For short trips of two to three days, renting at the resort is often cheaper than the round-trip airline fees for your own skis. High-end resorts stock current-year demo skis with quality bindings. If you ski more than four or five days per season on multiple trips, flying your own skis pays off — especially with Southwest's free ski bag policy. Performance skiers and racers benefit most from their own properly tuned equipment.

Flying with Skis or a Snowboard: Fees, Tips, and Airlines

Skiing and snowboarding trips require some of the heaviest and most awkward gear in travel. Skis, poles, boots, and helmets add up fast — both in weight and cost. Understanding how airlines price ski equipment can save you $50–$100 per trip, and choosing the right carrier makes a meaningful difference.

Airline Fees for Ski Bags

Southwest Airlines is the clear winner for ski travel in the United States. A ski bag counts as one of your two free checked bags, and boot bags or a second checked bag can count as your second free bag. On a round trip, Southwest saves you $70 or more compared to Delta or United.

Delta Airlines charges $35 each way for a ski bag (skis plus poles in one bag). A separate boot bag counts as a standard checked bag: $35 on domestic routes for most fares. Round trip with ski bag and boot bag: $140 total. This adds up over a ski season.

United Airlines charges $35–$50 each way for a ski bag depending on your route and fare class. MileagePlus Premier members at Gold level and above may have fees waived — confirm with United before travel.

American Airlines applies a sports equipment rate of $35 each way for ski bags. AAdvantage Platinum status and above may cover sports equipment fees on some fares; check the current policy.

Alaska Airlines charges $30 each way for ski and snowboard bags, which is among the lowest sports equipment rates for a major US carrier.

European carriers vary significantly. Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian typically charge €30–€60 for ski bags. Low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet charge separately for each piece of sports equipment — a ski bag and a boot bag can each carry their own fee.

What Goes in Each Bag

The standard approach is two bags: a ski bag and a boot bag.

Ski bag: skis and poles. Most ski travel bags are designed to hold one or two pairs of skis plus poles in a single long bag. Pack the poles alongside the skis (not in the bindings) and use the integrated padding to protect ski tips. Some bags accommodate two pairs, which helps couples share one sports equipment fee where airlines allow it.

Boot bag: ski boots plus helmet, goggles, gloves, and base layers. Boot bags are typically charged as a standard checked bag rather than at the sports equipment rate. On Delta, that means $35 each way — the same as the ski bag. On Southwest, it is your second free bag.

Avoid putting ski boots in the same bag as skis. Ski bags are long and narrow; boots do not fit efficiently, and the combined weight will likely exceed the 23 kg limit.

Snowboard-Specific Considerations

Snowboards are handled similarly to skis — one bag for the board (some airlines charge separately for bindings, so check). A snowboard bag typically runs 160–165 cm for a standard board, within the length airlines accept.

Some airlines require bindings to be removed and packed separately. Check your airline's sports equipment policy before packing. If you travel with a snowboard bag that includes boots (common for snowboarders who use a single bag system), expect to pay two sports equipment fees or be asked to repack.

Weight: Staying Under 23 kg

A typical ski bag with a pair of alpine skis and poles weighs 10–14 kg. Add padding and the bag itself (2–4 kg) and you have 12–18 kg total — safely within the 23 kg standard checked bag limit. Powder skis and longer race skis trend toward the heavier end.

If you are traveling with two pairs, the combined weight can approach or exceed 23 kg. Pack accordingly: remove extra straps, carry helmet in your boot bag instead, and weigh the bag at home before you leave.

Protecting Your Skis

Use a padded ski bag for any flight. At minimum, the bag should have reinforced binding protectors and padding around the tips. For high-value skis — racing skis, touring setups, or skis worth more than $800 — consider a semi-rigid or hard-shell ski case.

Wrap ski tips individually if the bag does not have tip protection pockets. Ski tips snap under impact, and replacing a ski tip on a good pair is expensive.

Renting at the Destination

Major ski resorts — Vail, Park City, Aspen, Whistler, Verbier, Zermatt — stock excellent demo equipment updated annually. Current-season skis from Rossignol, Volkl, Blizzard, and Atomic are standard at quality rental shops. Demo ski programs at resorts let you try different skis for a small daily rental fee and swap midday if the fit is wrong.

For a first ski trip, a beginner, or a short vacation of two or three days, renting is the right call. For serious skiers who own race skis, shaped powder boards, or custom-fit boot systems, flying your own equipment is usually worth it.

Booking Tips

Look for Southwest routes to your ski destination first — the free ski bag policy has real dollar value.
Book ski bag fees at time of purchase when possible; some carriers charge more if you add at the airport.
Arrive 15–20 minutes earlier than usual to accommodate oversized bag check-in.
Photograph your ski bag before checking it. Note any existing damage so you can make a claim if additional damage occurs.
If connecting through a hub, confirm your ski bag is tagged through to your final destination — oversize bags sometimes require separate handling at connection points.