Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

Flight baggage - how do you pack all your snowboard gear?!?!?!?!?!

13K views 38 replies 21 participants last post by  phillyphan 
#1 ·
I am a beginner so I have never flown with snowboard stuff before. How on earth do you pack all this stuff for a flight?

Out of Toronto we can fly through Pearson or Porter airports. Both show each bag to be an additional $40-$50 depending on weight.

How many bags do you check usually?

How on earth do you pack a snowboard, helmet, boots and outerwear?

We are a family of four so this is looking expensive. I want to get an idea of how much flights would cost us total including bags.

Thank you in advance for helping out a newbie :smile:
 
#2 · (Edited)
Check with the airline first. It can hugely depend on the airline how much snowboard bags cost (I've payed from 50$ to 200$ for the same baggage...) For some it's just an extra checked luggage where you can stuff everything inside as long as you stay below a certain nax weight (stay below, extra kg cost a lot!), for others you pay only little but you're not allowed to pack anything else but board n boots.

If you have connecting flights, book the entire route with one airline or else you'll pay twice for the extra bag. If you've an overnight connection, it depends a) on the length of the stay and b) on the airline wether or not it's counted as 1 route (pay once) or two (pay twice).

For a long trip, I usually pack 1 solid and 1 split n 2 bindings, boots n avy/hiking stuff into my Dakine low roller bag ~16kg. Helmet, goggle n clothes go into a travel bag with all the remaining stuff. Everything electronic and heavy goes into the carry-on avy backpack. For a week? I'd stuff everything into 1 boardbag and 1 carry-on backpack.

With a family of 4, no hiking/avy stuff? I'd pack 2 snowboardbags. Each with 2 boards n bindings, boots n goggles. If no gear restriction, you can stuff plenty small clothing as well. Strap the helmet onto your carry-on backpack. They'll hate you but who cares. I've usually several jacket layers on body and strapped onto the carry-on cos the bag would burst otherwise :).
 
#3 ·
What board bags do you have, and sizes of boards to take? Easily doable with 2 bags similar to the Burton Wheelie-gig, Dakine rollers etc. 2 boards, bindings and boots per bag, an adult and kids in each. Outerwear's easy to fill the empty spaces with, or if you have to wear the jackets on the plane hah. Stuff your socks and gloves into the boots, base layers into the helmets or take helmets as carry on (just clipped to the outside of your backpacks)

Depending on length of trip, 2 board bags + a carry on backpack each should cover all you need as long as you utilize every nook and cranny :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: snowangel99
#4 ·
You've got to be sensible with what you take - travel light - not so easy for some females I realise. I travel in my snowboard jacket and my hiking boots plus I take a couple of pairs of jeans, a couple of hoodies and enough t shirts and underwear to last the the trip. Along with my snowboard gear that's all I need. I can do a week with a board bag and a backpack.

Sent from my ONE E1001 using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
Are you staying in Canada?

I've flown Air Canada and Westjet out of Pearson to BC / Calgary and they consider a snowboard bag to be the same as a piece of checked luggage.

Every time I've flown with them, I've included in the bag 1 board, bindings, boots, helmet, goggles, all of my outerwear (jacket, pants, base layers, multiple pairs of gloves etc), a few tools etc etc and never had a problem. When flying back from Van once, I ever stuffed a bunch of beers in my bag + a bunch of random stuff and had no issue. Generally speaking, you just need to be under the max weight allowance. Pretty sure they do stipulate that you need to have only 1 snowboard per bag, but I've never been checked (and generally most airline staff are pretty apathetic - and will respond well to a friendly smile).

Only flown solo so I can't help much with the family thing. Never flown Porter, but I think they include 1 checked bag which would keep costs down (AC charges $25 / bag)
 
#6 ·
I use a dakine low roller bag. If you carry two boards tape a sponge over the stomp pad on the bottom board so you don't scratch the base of the other board. You could also put a towel between the boards as well. If your helmet has removable ear covers take those off and put them inside he helmet and lay the helmet flat on the top board and cram your socks and anything else you can into your boots.
 
#7 ·
Thank you so so much everyone!!!! I don't have details as I am just in the planning stages to see what's affordable.

We are so new we don't even have snowboard bags!!!!!

Renting is also another possibility for us because we are new to the sport.

Love the idea of only needing two snowboard bags. That's brilliant and way easier to manage.

My kids are adult sized kids (tall Norwegian genes) so all the boards are all longer than 150.

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
Great advice above!

I’ve never had a board damaged in transit (touch wood), but fully accept that one day it will happen. Some quick snaps of the gear prior to packing will help resolve any disputes if you need to make a claim with the airline.

A ski or snowboard bag is often accepted as a normal piece within your checked baggage allowance. I’ve never been hassled about the dimensions of the board bag, but it’s always best to check with the airline beforehand.

Any well-padded board bag will work (so will an unpadded ski bag and bubble wrap / clothes, should you need to improvise). I don’t like wheeled board bags, but that’s a personal preference.

On top of the board, at the nose and tail ends, I pack a folded jacket, snow pants, socks, and any other outerwear. Lay the boots sideways between the bindings, interlocking (like when new in the box). The boots are higher than the folded high-backs so it lessens the risk of binding damage. Goggles go next to one of the bindings, where they are protected from impact. Helmet goes in carry-on, or in a suitcase with clothes stuffed inside.

On short haul flights within Canada or Europe, I usually just check the one snowboard bag and distribute my clothes between it and a carry-on.

Be careful not to overstuff the board bag though. The oversized baggage is largely dealt with by hand, and the heavier it is, the more likely it will be heaved around. Also, should security want to peek inside, a simpler jigsaw-puzzle is better.
 
#9 ·
When flying on my own, I can easily fit a weeks worth in my board bag and carry on backpack. Definitely need to check airline websites, b/c they'll state their policy on ski bags and gear somewhere in the luggage section. For example, I've flown JetBlue a bunch with my snowboards, and as long as you're not over the weight limit, they don't care about the bag size. My longest board is a 157 (for now), so I got a 166 bag for a little extra room.
I've also flown with a buddy that doesn't have a bag, so we put the boards, boots, and bindings in my snowboard bag, and all other stuff in another suitcase, and we each checked in one of the bags. This kept them both under the weight limit, and we each only had 1 checked bag.

One thing to note, while it's definitely doable to travel with snowboard bags with no wheels (I did it for years), it's just better to have wheels. It makes walking with the bag so much easier. I bought a bag with wheels a couple of years ago, and it's just so much more convenient. I got an excellent deal on ebay for a never used, past season Burton Wheelie Board Case for less than 100, but otherwise probably would have gone with a Dakine Low Roller or a Burton Wheelie Gig Bag, b/c they're more than enough bag, at least imo..
 
#10 · (Edited)
I'm looking at my Burton Wheelie Gig bag and I think your family could get away with only needing one board bag for all the boards, boots, and bindings. Of course you will have to remove your bindings from the boards and put something in-between each board.

I usually pack two boards, two pairs of boots, two bindings (medium and stiff, one pair for each board), plus all my gear into it. I'll put socks or my gloves into my boots, thermals into my helmet and like someone said above, I protect the tips and tails with, in my case, towels. I keep my goggles in a their case a put them on the opposite end of the wheels. Make sure your longest board is on the bottom and stack them so that the shortest is on top.

I only mention that you can do it in one bag so that you don't need to drop an extra $100-200 on two bags. I assume you own other luggage that can fit the rest of your gear.
 
#13 ·
If you and your family are all fairly new to snowboarding, renting is not a bad option. For one, it should allow you to take out a few different boards and see what you like. Plus you don't have the hassle of lugging a bunch of boards around. It is a bit of a pita.

Just make sure you bring boots, which I am sure you will. Rental boots suck for the most part. Bring your own so you know what to expect. Unless your boots really suck. Then get new boots and bring those...
 
#15 ·
A guy at work who makes pretty yearly trips out west pre ships his stuff to wherever he is staying via ups/fedex/whatever. He usually heads out with about 4 people and says its simply much easier than dealing with the airport. A disadvantage being you have to pad around your trip shipping times you'll be without your board.
 
#19 ·
I was given some good packing advice before my first flight to the promise land,... Wrap the board to protect the edges AND to keep you brand new board bag from getting sliced to shreds by the edges during rough handling.

Bubble wrap was mentioned,... This was my solution.
 

Attachments

#23 ·
Just stretch the hose around the whole board, then duct tape to fix it. The board roller bag has compression straps so they help keep the hose on too. Doesn't look nearly as bulletproof as chomp's but it works. Haven't taken the boards/bag/hose out of storage yet so have no pics.
 
#24 · (Edited)
When we left Canada(flying back to Aus but also went to Iceland and Amsterdam on the way) i took 3 boards, 2 bindings and a bunch of pants/jackets/goggles in a sporttube(tell them its snowboards and you dont have to pay extra. Thats 1 checked bag.

http :// i.imgur. com/TXWpwxq. jpg
^cant post links but thats what it looks like

Then put the extra bindins and stuff into the other check ins

We also wore our boots on the plane, helmet strapped onto the carry on.
 
#29 ·
Not in one of those paper thin snowboard bags thats for sure, worthless for air travel.

Spend the money(or buy used) one of the THICK padded bags with heavy duty zippers, a bag large enough to fit two boards and 100% of your gear.

Also just a tip so the TSA @ssholes don't break your fucking zippers, put zip ties through your zipper holes so the TSA checkers grab the zip tie loop instead of bending and breaking your nice xyz zippers.
 
#36 ·
Thanks for the replies guys.

Let's say worst case scenario they call you out on it. What's the worst that can happen?
…..They'll get airport police to drag you off your flight after ggiving you a beating! :blink:



Seriously tho,… You'll just be charged for an Oversized bag. However, It will be expensive.


On the bright side of scenario #1 ,..? That United passenger will get paid MILLIONS for taking that beating! (Not so terrible,.. I've taken worse beatings and I didn't make a dime!!) ;) >:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: basser
#38 ·
I try to fly Southwest when possible because they have 2 free checked bags. Dimensions don't apply to ski and snowboard luggage, just has to be under 50 lbs. May or may not get charged for more than one board. Depends on the attendant. Anyway, I have a Demon 170cm roller bag, but Dakine and Burton also make some pretty solid full kit travel snowboard bags. Mine easily fits a board with bindings, (one or two more without), boots (stuff a couple pairs of rolled up socks in each boot), helmet (stuff a couple goggles in helmet), a couple jackets, couple pants (fold neatly, don't cram), baselayers, gloves, tuning kit, tools, spare parts, laces, etc. Just use common sense and pack neatly. If you need more clothes than will fit in a typical full kit bag, just put them in your other luggage. A snowboard travel bag worth its salt should easily fit your whole kit.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
#39 ·
I try to fly Southwest when possible because they have 2 free checked bags. Dimensions don't apply to ski and snowboard luggage, just has to be under 50 lbs. May or may not get charged for more than one board. Depends on the attendant. Anyway, I have a Demon 170cm roller bag, but Dakine and Burton also make some pretty solid full kit travel snowboard bags. Mine easily fits a board with bindings, (one or two more without), boots (stuff a couple pairs of rolled up socks in each boot), helmet (stuff a couple goggles in helmet), a couple jackets, couple pants (fold neatly, don't cram), baselayers, gloves, tuning kit, tools, spare parts, laces, etc. Just use common sense and pack neatly. If you need more clothes than will fit in a typical full kit bag, just put them in your other luggage. A snowboard travel bag worth its salt should easily fit your whole kit.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
Bingo. Bango.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top