Travelling light?

[Kimmyt]

So, as some of you know I'm taking my first ski trip that involves flying (alone, so no help there), tomorrow.

I'm all packed and geez! I have alot of stuff!

I usually hate to pack heavy, I'm more of a 'throw a few changes of clothes in a backpack and bring it on the plane' type of girl, but I have a newfound propensity for gear-intensive sports and as such in the past year have had to do some seriously thoughtful packing jobs in order to not go over the weight limit. Not to mention that I had to figure out how to carry it all without toppling over (I am a pretty small woman, so although I can carry alot of poundage, I sometimes get overwhelmed by big bulky bags!)

The worst had to be when I went out to Idaho to climb and camp for a week and had to bring the better part of a full climbing rack as well as all the important gear for camping for a week straight. Talk about alot of stuff!

But I'm finding that this trip is going to be even more gear-intensive! I've got a ski bag, a boot bag (I guess the airline counts both of those as one item for checking) and then I've got my huge suitcase filled with mostly ski clothes (=bulky) and then a few sets of 'normal' clothes. I even limited myself to only 2 pairs of extra shoes. That's pretty good, for me!

So how do yall do it? Shlep all that stuff, pack lightly?

I have horrible visions of me stumbling and staggering my way out of the airport with all that stuff and toppling over like a turtle unable to get off it's back...

I think I'll go home after work today and do a once over on my luggage and cut down on some of the extra stuff. I can always do a load of laundry halfway through the trip and rewear stuff....

K.

 

[ski diva]

I think I'll go home after work today and do a once over on my luggage and cut down on some of the extra stuff. I can always do a load of laundry halfway through the trip and rewear stuff....

That's what I generally do.....rewear and do laundry. In the past I've found that I've packed more non-ski clothing than I actually need. I mean, figure that you're going to be wearing ski clothes most of the day, everyday. So you really only need non-ski clothing for the evening. If you figure on re-wearing stuff or doing laundry, you actually don't need much. I generally wear a pair of jeans, bring a pair of jeans; wear a shirt/sweater, and bring one or two more of each. Then you got your underwear, swimsuit (for the hot tub, of course!), sox, jammies, ski clothes and you're all set.

You got some great conditions waiting for you out there! Be sure to post a full report when you get back.

 

[smpayne]

I've only done it once before, and I had my brother with me. He packed some of his clothes in the ski bag and a few others in with the boots. We didn't take snow boots, I have no idea where I would have put them. Good Luck. I look forward to reading how everyone else handles this as I have another trip planned in February.

 

[Kimmyt]

Oh don't worry, I'll post one!

As long as I can get out there, that is!

(Actually I think I need to cut down on the ski clothes... I'm a sucker for having too many baselayers, and I actually only brought about the number of regular clothes as you mentioned. And as for pajamas.... it's been 2 months since I've seen The Boy... who needs em!? :p )

 

[pinto]

...So how do yall do it? Shlep all that stuff, pack lightly? ....

The Mother Lode!

I love this thing. It's huge. You actually have to be careful not to overpack it, since it holds more than 50 lb, or whatever the limit is. Although sometimes I just pay the $25 and figure it's worth it. Once in a while I'll get a ticket agent who winks and nods and doesn't make me pay (esp. if it's crowded or I'm running late).

We also have a couple of the Mother Lode Juniors, which are 25 in. instead of 29.

The bottom compartment is especially nice for gear. One of the thumbnails on the page I linked shows how you can get a ski helmet and pair of boots in there, among other things. I always carry my bootbag with me on the way to my destination (don't want to lose my boots before skiing), but I pack them in the suitcase on the way back (unless I'm skiing immediately upon return).

It's also great because it rolls easily and doesn't tip ... when you stand it on its end, it's very secure.

And yes, we might do laundry in the middle of a trip. Although I usually don't wear that many clothes in a ski trip ... you can easily rewear a couple of times whatever you wear apres ski, since you've only worn it a couple of hours. Now that Colorado has outlawed smoking in bars as well as restaurants, you don't have the smoked-out clothes to worry about, either.

We use SportTubes for our skis; they roll, too. Although our kids don't have hard cases; I think we just put their soft ski bags on the big duffels and roll everything together.

There's no graceful way to do it (except via porter, which isn't a bad idea when you have lotsa gear).

 

[Jilly]

Like SkiDiva says, do you need alot of non-skiing clothes. I like to take sweaters/fleece that can do dual purpose. Last ski trip I packed my bulky ski pants and sweaters in with my skis and poles. I'm not sure what your airline may allow. I did a week in Whistler with a double ski bag, large ski duffle (team bag type, boots go in pockets on the ends) and a backpak as carry-on. And since alot of places are going smoke free, I find that I can wear a T-neck for dinner and use it the next day for skiing. No smoke smell to contend with. Go through your stuff tonight and take about 1/2 of it out. You won't need it.

 

[Thatsagirl]

But I'm finding that this trip is going to be even more gear-intensive! I've got a ski bag, a boot bag (I guess the airline counts both of those as one item for checking) and then I've got my huge suitcase filled with mostly ski clothes (=bulky) and then a few sets of 'normal' clothes. I even limited myself to only 2 pairs of extra shoes. That's pretty good, for me!
K.

Do NOT check your boot bag, use it as your carry-on. Why, you ask? Because if your luggage doesn't make it with you, at least you have your ski boots! Also in that boot bag, pack everything you'll need for one day of skiing. That way, you also have a set of ski clothes.

Once you own your own boots, you'll never want to be stuck in rental boots. The airline will give you vouchers to rent skis, consider it an opportunity to demo. ;)

As a travel writer, I am always telling people to bring their boots and a set of clothes in their carry-on, but a lot of people still don't do that. Consider this: Three years ago, my husband and I went to Big Sky for three days of skiing. Our luggage NEVER made it to Big Sky (though it did turn up at our house...before we got home!). Fortunately, in our carry-on we had our ski boots and everything we needed for one day of skiing (base layers, socks, ski pants, hats, gloves, goggles, etc). So we did laundry in our room every night, and when we went to dinner, we wore what we had as our "travel day clothes." The airline also reimbursed us a particular dollar amount for each day our luggage was missing, so by the third day, we had earned enough to buy one nice article of clothing, which we wore for dinner that night.

If your boot bag is a small one, you can use a hiking backpack or one of those carry-on wheeled pieces of luggage instead. We now both use hiking backpacks--they've been perfect for a variety of different "outdoor trips" we've taken over the years.

Thatsagirl

 

[pinto]

Yes, agreeing with Thatsagirl ... actually I check my "bootbag" since the airlines will allow it; I just don't put my ski boots in it.

I put my boots and a day's worth of ski clothing in a normal-looking piece of carry-on luggage (one of those rollers or a backpack) and then put my cowboy boots and random heavy items and clothes in the bootbag (the one that has the ski logo on it and counts as half of the skis/boots combination for the airlines).

 

[Thatsagirl]

Yes, agreeing with Thatsagirl ... actually I check my "bootbag" since the airlines will allow it; I just don't put my ski boots in it.

I put my boots and a day's worth of ski clothing in a normal-looking piece of carry-on luggage (one of those rollers or a backpack) and then put my cowboy boots and random heavy items and clothes in the bootbag (the one that has the ski logo on it and counts as half of the skis/boots combination for the airlines).

Oooo...that is a GREAT idea! I never thought of that...

Thatsagirl

 

[Little Lightning]

I got compressable plastic bags at REI. They are great, it's amazing how much space you can save and how much you can pack.

You can get them at Walmart too, except they aren't as durable.

Make sure you have warm baselayers.

Remember, even if you're warm in the parking lot it can be a lot colder at the top of the mtn. and on the chairs. You can always shed layers but a trip back to the parking lot for more clothes isn't very convenient, except at A-Basin.

Have fun, conditions are wonderful.

Kathi

 

[Kimmyt]

OK I think I'm good now. I redid my entire packing job. Thatsagirl, a friend at work just gave me the same suggestion about boot bag and so I repacked to accommodate that. My solution:

One big piece of roller luggage to be checked. Including extra layers for skiing, body products, extra pairs of shoes, normal clothes, climbing shoes/harness.

Ski bag to be checked (friend of mine also recommended wrapping skis in clothes, which protects skis and also cuts down on size of luggage, but I ended up cutting out enough unnecessary clothes that I don't need to worry about that).

Medium volume hiking backpack with my indispensible ski clothes/spare underwear/one 'normal' shirt to wear on the flight in case I get laid over, my helmet (I don't ever trust my helmets to baggage handlers... I've seen teh way they throw bags and I'd hate to get my helmet damaged without knowing it!) and important things I need with me like meds and such.

Small bootbag the size of a large purse or laptop carrier that I can put under my seat. Including boots, checkin info, and several books/things to occupy me in case of layover.

I am really kinda freaking out about the weather, since my flight has a connection in Chicago and they have been running on delays. I'm hoping overnight this clears up but I am preparing for a possible layover in Chicago if I end up missing my flight to COS.

Travelling is a ********************.... *sigh*

K.

 

[Little Lightning]

Compressable plastic bags are great! You can get a lot of stuff in a small amount of space. REI has them and you can get them at Walmart but they aren't as durable.

BTW, if you're in Denver stop at the downtown REI. It's an outdoor woman's paradise. Also check out Outdoor Divas in Cherry Creek or Boulder. Lot's of women's only stuff there.

Remember to dress warm on the mtn. Even if you feel warm in the parking lot its cold on the lifts and at the top of the mtn. It's inconvenient to go back to the car for more clothes, except at A-Basin.

This morning when I got up it was 3 degrees but it warmed up fast.

Ski conditions are great, enjoy.

Kathi

 

[Jilly]

Sounds like you've got it undercontrol. Have a good time and don't think about us poor easterners sliding around on hard stuff. If you're like me, the minute I leave home, home gets a dump!! Have fun!

 

[Little Lightning]

Sorry for the double post, I didn't think the 1st one made it.

Kathi

 

[Quiver Queen]

I also never check my boots, and take advantage of the skis/boots (bag)/poles being considered one checked item by the airlines. I use a double SporTube & pack clothes in with my skis & poles. But another thing that I've found to be valuable is to charge my flight on my American Express card, with which I have an automatic flight insurance so if my bag is delayed 5 or more hours I get big bucks reimbursement. That way I don't have to worry about carrying on an entire day's worth of ski clothes, and if my clothes don't arrive by the time I'm ready to ski I just go buy new stuff, demo skis, and get a reimbursement check for it when I get home. From personal experience I can say AmEx really lives up to their flight insurance promises.

 

[volklgirl]

I always take my biggest backpack as a carry-on with overnight essentials (just in case), and carry my boots (or rollerblades) with a strap around my neck - they consider that a "purse" which you can carry on along with an actual "carry-on" bag.

 

[num]

I always take my biggest backpack as a carry-on with overnight essentials (just in case), and carry my boots (or rollerblades) with a strap around my neck - they consider that a "purse" which you can carry on along with an actual "carry-on" bag.

I was wondering if anyone carries their boots without a bag on planes. I don't have a boot bag because I always drive to hills and just sling em over my shoulder. Got a SporTube for the skis (thanks again SporTube and Ski Diva!) and have been thinking to get a Hot Gear Bag for the future, but recently have been looking into what I'm going to do with the boots now for the trip to Solitude. Was thinking to throw them in a backpack and carry that on.

So you haven't had any TSA issues slinging em over your shoulder?

 

[TsuKata]

Have you guys ever had a problem with the airline considering a double-ski bag (e.g., the 2-pr Sporttube) as a problem or actually checking your boot bag to make sure only boots are in it?

For example, United's policy says:

*One ski bag, containing one pair of skis and poles, plus:

One boot bag, containing boots and binding only is allowed in the free allowance. If additional ski equipment is checked, excess fees apply.

Let's forgive them for thinking that the binding goes in the bootbag. But, I'm wondering if I'm going to get screwed if my DH and I share a ski bag (put 2 pair of skis and poles in it)...or if I use a boot bag that also holds my helmet, if that's going to be an issue. Granted, I'm Premier Exec status with United, so I get special treatment, but as I'm about to go buy ski luggage, I want to make sure I'm not getting something that will mess me up later if at all possible.

 

[Marigee]

So you haven't had any TSA issues slinging em over your shoulder?

Sister-in-law did that last year on the way home from Steamboat. I think what she did getting on the planne was she put on her backpack and slung the boots over it so the boot strap carrier was hanging over the backpack straps (and top of backpack)and the boots were hanging down the sides of the backpack. She'd seen a guy doing that on the way out and decided to try it.

 

[snowbunny1976]

I just throw my boots in a duffel bag, along with my ski gear (jacket, pants, hats, gloves, etc) and that's my 2nd carry-on, in addition to my purse. My skis in checked bag #1, and a rolly-bag for my apres-ski wear and toiletries and anything else that didn't fit in the the duffel bag ('cause the duffel isn't too big - I'm only 5'2"!). This works for me, and I avoid having to get a boot bag