How to Ship Downhill Skis

You can skip downhill skis in a ski bag.

If you're headed to a ski vacation or have picked up new skis on one, or you just need to send a pair to someone, the question of shipping skis is a good one, as it can be expensive to take them on the plane. Fortunately, your downhill skis can be shipped inside a regular ski bag with just a little extra padding and planning.

Things You'll Need

• Skis
• Ski bag
• Painter's tape or rubber bands
• Bubble wrap
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Bundle your downhill skis together and secure them with tape or heavy-duty rubber bands. Painter's tape, sold at home-improvement stores, will peel off without taking any other material with it. Tape each pair together, and then tape them all into one large bundle.

2. Wrap bubble wrap around the entire bundle of skis. Make sure to cover the tips and ends of the downhill skis. Secure the bubble wrap with more tape.

3. Put the bubble-wrapped ski bundle into a ski bag; if you already have one you use, that should be fine. If not, you can get an inexpensive one at your local ski shop. Remove all of the straps and buckles from the ski bag. Tape the handles and any other strapping together and to the bag with duct tape. (The painter's tape won't work on fabric.)

4. Take the bag to your shipper of choice and ask that the skis be shipped in the bag, not inside another box. The shipper will make tags appropriate for attaching to the bag. According to an article on shipping skis in the "New York Times," sending a double ski bag with FedEx is about $40, and an outfit called Sports Express Website will pick up your bag and deliver it to your door at your destination for around $120. You can get insurance and faster delivery for additional fees.

References

• New York Times: Whether to Ship Skis or Check Them With Your Luggage
• Ultratune.net: How to Ship Skis