Locking Your Skis

[Ski Spirit]

I know this has been discussed before but wanted to resurrect the topic. For the third time, my skis were accidentally taken by someone last week. I ended up having to rent skis for one day. Thankfully they were returned but I'm starting to seriously think about getting a lock. I don't really want to add one more thing to carry around but it's not fun to find to your skis missing.
Are any of you locking your skis? Any other ideas?

 

[w.ski]

I always ( or almost always) lock my skis. Lock is pretty small; I just shove it in my pocket. I imagine anyone serious about stealing skis could cut through the cable, but I figure the lock makes it harder for someone to steal them, and prevents anyone from taking them accidentally.

 

[altagirl]

I don't. But I have large conspicuous stickers on my skis.

For example on my Praxis I have about a dozen flourescent pink daisy stickers that range from 1" to about 6" across each. Not to mention the skis are 185s, so I don't see any guys accidentally walking off with my skis plastered with neon flowers. It makes them one of a kind and they stand out. Even if someone were to try and walk off with them, you can see them from a distance and it would be very conspicuous.

I guess I figure any lock that's light enough to carry around is also going to be easy enough for someone to cut through with a hand tool if they really want your skis. Keeping an eye on them is always going to be more secure. And preventing the accidental grabbing the wrong pair is easiest to prevent by making your skis obviously unique. I know there are plenty of skiers who can't pick their bindings out of a lineup, so I think stickers help more there.

 

[ski now work later]

I lock my skis 100% of the time, no matter where I ski, and I require my kids to do the same with their skis and snowboards. Most thefts are accidental, but I'm not interested in the motive, I want my skis!

I buy snowboard locks as they have smaller housing and are light and easy in my pocket. I keep an extra lock in my Transpack for times when I bring 2 pair of skis to the hill at a time....

 

[Jilly]

Always lock and I use a cable lock. Since I sell locks for a living I use one by Schlage - Kryptonite. The code is 4 numbers. Most ski areas have the SkiKey. But around here, they are either frozen with ice, or all used up. Also with the cable lock, you can add friends skis that don't have locks.

 

[SnowEssie]

Another option might be to put one ski at a different place as the other, like 10 meters further on (please remember which two spots you used ) It will prevent accidently ánd nonaccidently taken skis (except if someone has spotted your skis and decides to follow you to steal them because than he/she will know the 2 spots of course)

 

[Jilly]

That doesn't always work. Here at Tremblant there is a gang and they watch you place the skis. Hubby lost his poles that way last year. Lock em up!!

 

[Ski Spirit]

Thanks for the responses and suggestions on locks and also, in particular, the stickers. Making the skis look more unique sounds like a great idea. I'm going to try that first but also look around at locks (thanks for specific suggestions!!).

 

[ski diva]

I must admit, I almost never lock my skis. Usually I ski on weekdays and it's pretty quiet, so I don't bother. HOWEVER -- if I'm skiing at a busy time, I lock 'em.

 

[sibhusky]

I always lock my skis, probably the only local at the mountain who does. But as I did it today, I noticed that my Outlaws were right next to another set of Outlaws and it re-affirmed my move as whether it's stolen skis or ooops! the wrong skis, you're still out a set of skis. It takes a minute to lock and unlock, I don't care if I look like a jerk, I will still find my skis after lunch.

 

[ISki]

Ski Spirit, have you tried separating them? Split the pair and put each ski far from the other. It might make them harder to mistakenly grab.

 

[Ski Luvr]

Back in my skiing day my parents purchased my skis and if I didn't lock them, my parents would kill me! It was a matter of self preservation that eventually turned into a habit. So, When I was at our local ski shop last week (getting ready to start skiing again) I asked the guy where I could buy a ski lock. The guy said, "No one locks their skis. You just separate them." I was a little surprised by his nonchalant attitude about locking skis. Especially because he seemed like a seasoned skier and because I wanted to give him more money!

I have been separating my skis. I've been pairing mine with my dh's and pairing my kids together as well. But, I've felt really guilty about it. I plan on locking them when I ski alone.

 

[altagirl]

Back in my skiing day my parents purchased my skis and if I didn't lock them, my parents would kill me! It was a matter of self preservation that eventually turned into a habit. So, When I was at our local ski shop last week (getting ready to start skiing again) I asked the guy where I could buy a ski lock. The guy said, "No one locks their skis. You just separate them." I was a little surprised by his nonchalant attitude about locking skis. Especially because he seemed like a seasoned skier and because I wanted to give him more money!

I have been separating my skis. I've been pairing mine with my dh's and pairing my kids together as well. But, I've felt really guilty about it. I plan on locking them when I ski alone.

Honestly, I've only noticed one single pair of skis locked up so far this season (and they were older skis). The vast majority of people don't lock their skis, at least around here, and only a handful separate them. But ski locks certainly exist if you want to lock them - I'm sure you can find one online.

I can only guess that some ski shops don't carry them because they must not sell well considering how few people seem to use them. I know this forum seems to be totally skewed the other direction, and maybe it depends on where you're skiing, but that's my guess.

 

[abc]

I know this forum seems to be totally skewed the other direction

No, it's only because those of us who don't lock our skis don't post in a thread asking for suggestion of ski locks.

 

[SueNJ]

I had a brand new, never skied pair of skis stolen from a local ski area on a relatively quiet weekday evening a couple of years ago. From that day on, I never, ever, turn my back on my skis and poles without locking them up. I don't care what ski area I go to, or how low the theft statistics may be. I had one trip to a ski area ruined by some thoughtless idiot who made off with my skis. I will never give anyone that chance again. It's a crime of opportunity, and the simple deterrent is to put a lock on your skis. Separating skis may help, but for me, there's no better peace of mind than locking the skis. For ski areas that have the ski check-in service, I sometimes make use of that--it's usually only a couple dollars a day and worth it, in my mind.

I'm really surprised at some of the skis I see leaning against racks, unlocked. It only takes one time...

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I carry a pocket retracting cable lock and use it on busy days at certain places. There are some around here where skis would be left untouched no matter what (famous last words???). It can happen anywhere. When he was 11, my son's junior racing skis were stolen on a weekday racing night (along with several other similar pairs). Some types of skis or snowboards just seem to be "coveted" -- as if they are the "it" skis or boards. The Burton Custom was a target a few years back. When the K2 Public Enemies first came out (twin tip), they were hot and coveted.

I doubt anyone would want what I ski, as this isn't a brand often seen or coveted in New England. Volkl is the "it" ski here. If I had $1,300 Volkls, I'd sure lock them everywhere and anywhere.

At Sunday River, I've heard of helmets and goggles being taken off of tables. At Sugarloaf, far different vibe. Again, that could be speaking "famous last words...."

When in doubt, lock em. As previously mentioned, it's a crime of opportunity. Cables can be cut, but it takes time and effort and the risk of looking conspicuous.

 

[Shellski]

When in doubt, lock em. As previously mentioned, it's a crime of opportunity. Cables can be cut, but it takes time and effort and the risk of looking conspicuous.

That's exactly my theory, a cable lock won't stop a determined thief if you leave them in an out-of-the-way place, but it will stop the opportunist picking them up and walking away with them, and it will certainly stop anyone taking your skis by mistake.

Yes, it is one more thing in your pocket, but it is worth it.

That's why I carry around a husband with a backpack full of my stuff, better still.

 

[SueNJ]

That's why I carry around a husband with a backpack full of my stuff, better still.

:ROTF: <wiping the coffee off that I sprayed all over my keyboard...>

 

[Ski Spirit]

That's why I carry around a husband with a backpack full of my stuff, better still.

Too funny! You've got it made!! Congratulations!

 

[IttyBittyBetty]

Locks don't take up much space

I lock my skies and poles (expensive carbon retractable poles that anyone could adjust for his/her height) all the time. The lock is smaller that a deck of cards, so it doesn't take up much space. It fits in a pants pocket, although I usually keep it in my pack.

There was a major theft out here at one Colorado resort recently were thieves took about 50 pairs of skis.