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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 6:07 am
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transporting skis

Hi all, winter is rolling around and I plan to spend it in Switzerland this year. Thoughts on how to transport my skis from the states to Switzerland? How does checking in skis work? How much extra does it cost?
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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 6:44 am
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i presume you are flying from somewhere to ski area. check with airline for luggage charge. transport from airport to resort and porter fees may be expensive. you have to figure that out yourself.
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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 7:48 am
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Originally Posted by nocloud
Hi all, winter is rolling around and I plan to spend it in Switzerland this year. Thoughts on how to transport my skis from the states to Switzerland? How does checking in skis work? How much extra does it cost?
Firstly we need to know the airline(s) you'll be travelling with. You could then check their luggage policy for getting the skis to CH.

Next is onward transportation - one of the easiest ways to travel with bags (and skis) in Switzerland is the Railways Swiss Travel System - though checking bags from plane to final destination: http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...itzerland.html

If you're going by car, or renting a car, it's easy to ask for one to equipped to carry skis.

Finally, I'm not sure if you're going to ski all winter - depending on the amount of use you'll get, you may consider rental skis or even buying a new pair and doing a trade back deal at the end of the season with the rental shop.
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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 10:02 am
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Depends on the airline - some will transport a set of skis, poles and boots for free in addition to your normal luggage, others will allow it as part of your luggage allowance, others will charge an additional amount. Most will make you sign a waiver if you don't pack them in a hard case, so you may want to make sure your own insurance will cover them, unless you own a hard case.

Checking them in depends on the airport I am sure - in Toronto, you get them tagged, then carry them over to the oversize baggage area, where they are x-rayed, and then sent down to the luggage area from there. Pick up, again it depends, often they are delivered to the 'oversized' luggage counter in the baggage hall.
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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 4:02 pm
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Most of my skiing has been domestic, or to Canada, and skis+boot always = 1 piece of checked luggage, so either free (Southwest/status) or the $25-35 for a piece of luggage.

I suspect than whatever airline you are flying would have clear guidelines on skis (along with bicycles, surfboards, etc.) on their web site, as it's a pretty common topic.

I took my skis with me to Chamonix and they were treated as nothing other than the standard ski+boots=1, but that was several years ago, before luggage charges really ramped up.
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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 4:07 pm
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I just take my boots and helmet and rent skis. Watching baggage handlers toss luggage around makes me happy to rent. Boots go in a boot bag as carry on.
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 5:45 pm
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my worry is whether or not skis get charged as oversize. cuz then, the fees are hefty, like $175 on some airlines and status free checked bags don't help you here if it is oversize.

any experience with this on international flights?
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 6:59 pm
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I've brought skiis on trips several times at no extra cost (with EXP status) including to Zurich and Grenoble. I have a Sportube to carry my skiis in; love it.
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 7:26 pm
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For cost, as noted, check with the specific airline.

For what to pack them in, see this recent thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...avel-skis.html
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