So how do you carry your skis?
This is no trivial matter. Carry them like this:
Looks uncomfortable, doesn’t it?
And you risk being labeled a gaper — someone who doesn’t have a clue. Some people carry their skis over their shoulders. That’s what I generally do, tails forward, though I’ve heard strong arguments for tips forward, too. I guess it just comes down to a matter of preference.
But not everyone likes to carry their skis that way. The bases can slip, causing the skis to shift around uncomfortably. And some people just find it awkward.
That must be why Ski-Lash sent me their ski carrier to review. It’s a harness of sturdy, nylon straps that wrap tightly around your skis and closes with velcro. The main feature is a padded handle, which lets you carry your skis like a suitcase:
According to Ski-Lash, the carrier can handle both skis and poles, though I found that a bit difficult to manage. Maybe it’s something I could do with practice. Anyway, I found it a pretty good alternative to my usual carrying method. The carrier is very sturdy and secure, and I didn’t worry about it coming apart and ditching my skis along the way. I think it’d be especially useful for kids, too, so they can learn to carry their own gear. And yes, there’s a junior-sized carrier available.
The upside:
It’s sturdy, well made, and pretty inexpensive. So if you’re having trouble carrying your skis, it’s definitely worth a try.
The downside:
Not so easy to fit your poles in with the skis, though that’s not a deal breaker for me.
My rating: two ski poles up.
Thanks for the review and I’m glad you liked the Ski-Lash.
With respect to the difficulty in carrying poles with the skis, we have only encountered that problem when using thicker poles that don’t fit easily inside the blades of the ski brakes.
In that situation, the problem is easily solved by installing the Ski-Lash while the skis are leaning-up against a wall with the poles leaning against the skis, as opposed to installing the Ski-Lash while the skis are lying flat with the poles resting on top of the skis.
Best regards,
Dave Owen
Ski-Lash
Just another thing you souhld buy as a recommendation is a solid ski lock (they can still be nicked but it’s alot harder) for the ski racks with specail slots (they’re everywhere ) and a wire lock when you can’t find an availble ski rack. You may thinnk that its not necessary but skis are frequently stolen and it really sucks when they do get stolen. I had a freind who didnt bother locking his skis in the rack when going to the toilet and when he came out poof!!! his 600$ skis were gone.Also a wire lock is good for when you have the little ones because if their ski’s get nicked it’s not fun explaining this to thier parents.(Trust me I’ve been there done that)