Traveling with Snow SportsGear on Airlines*A i r l i n e s c o n -tinue to change theirfees and restrictionsfor baggage so be sureto check before you getto the airport. Someairlines treat your ski/snowboard/boot bagsas a special piece ofluggage, but withoutadditional fees; <strong>Ski</strong>sand poles, or a snowboard,count as one oftwo checked bags passengerscan transportwithout an additionalcharge or whatthey would chargefor a regular piece ofluggage. Most airlines allow for a “set of ski orsnowboard equipment," meaning, skis, poles,bindings and boots count as one item of luggage,even if the boots are in a separate bag.More recently, airline mileage credit cards areoffering perks for free baggage fees so be sureto check your card.From time to time, you might get somepush-back from an un-informed airline employee,so printing out the rules to bring withyou isn’t a bad idea! As long as you followthese guidelines, you should have no problem.Exception to the airlines’ rulesUsually, a checked bag is considered oversizedif it is over 50 pounds or has a total outsidemeasurement (height + width + depth)of more than 62 inches. Virtually all skis andsnowboards bagged for travel exceed the 62-inch rule, but airlines realize that sports travelis an important component of the tourism industry,which is why they make exceptions forcertain kinds of sports gear.Watch your bag’s weightWhile they'll excuse the dimensions, theheavyweight rule will apply. A ski or snowboardbag will be charged extra if the bagweighs more than 50 pounds. Bags with oneset of skis or a snowboard plus some gearshould not exceed that limit.Try to pack one set of gear per personAirline policies do not specifically addressdouble bags, but they often will say a skibag should only haveone set of equipment.However, if two peopletraveling togetheruse a double bag,check-in clerks willprobably allow it, accordingto a corporatec o m m u n i c a t i o n sspokesperson forDelta. But, if the doublebag belongs to oneperson, it could be subjectto excess baggagecharges.The boot bagWritten policiesphoto by Ken Calkinssay that skis, poles,bindings and boots count as one item. If yourboot bag is your third checked bag, it shouldcount with the ski bag as one item (the 50pound weight limit will apply to both weighedtogether). Airline snowboard policies usuallystate that snowboards are exempt from theoversized rules, but say nothing about boots.If you explain that snowboard boots are partof the equipment, you should be able to checkthem as a unit, just like with skis. Best bet, geta gear bag that fits everything in it. Just watchthe weight!Liability releaseThough it’s rare, some airlines requirethat you sign a damage waiver for gear packedin a soft bag. Most soft bags for skis andsnowboards are rugged, lined and have protectivefeatures. Some companies make hard-shelltravel containers for equipment if you wantthe extra protection.Don’t lock your ski or snowboard bagsIf the metal in your ski and snowboardgear sets off a “false positive" during luggagescreening, baggage handlers screening checkedbags for explosives may need to open your luggagefor a visual check. Like with regular luggage,laws allow for locks to be broken off tocheck contents.International travelIf you’re vacationing outside the U.S. andCanada, check with your airline regarding itsbaggage policy.Save the hassle and Ship Your GearMany people don’t realize they can shipskis/snowboards to their destination via Fed-Ex® or other shippers. Pack up your ski/snowboard with clothes or ship your gear ina tube. Some specialty shops have shippingprograms. Travel worry-free and meet yourgear at the mountain.Navigating the airport with all your luggagecan be a nightmare. And, with the newairline baggage charges, it’s now more expensiveto fly with your gear. So save money andtime-ship your gear.ShipYourGear - Snowlink: NEW this yearis the first-ever FedEx Discount Program forskiers and snowboarders.SnowSports Industries America (SIA)has negotiated a consumer discount on shippingof up to 16% off select FedEx Express®services, up to 8% off select FedEx Ground®services and up to 15% FedEx Ground serviceto Canada processed through FedEx ShipManager® at fedex.com or FedEx Ship Manager®Software. This program is open to consumerseligible for a U.S. based FedExaccount. To enroll, visit fedex.com/shipyourgear.Choosing theRight HelmetThere are a lot of cool ski and snowboardhelmets on the market, but before you buy it’simportant to know how to find the right onefor you. Many companies make high-quality,great-looking helmets. New injection-moldedfoams and plastics create helmets that weightless than some woolen hats, but which provideimpact-protection at speeds usually reachedonly by downhill racers. Easy-to-operate ventingsystems allow skiers to adjust the 'warmth’of their helmets by tweaking the air flow todifferent parts of their heads, ensuring theystay warm without overheating. Beyond safetyand comfort, though, helmets also matchskiers’ lifestyle needs. Many helmets now comeequipped with high quality headphones, andeven Bluetooth connections for cell phonesand music players.Helmets have their own accessories tohelp encourage helmet use. Goggle designerscraft eyewear that not only fits around helmetsgenerically, but which also can be integratedwith specific helmets. For instance,Smith offers goggle and helmet pairings thatcreate improved venting from the goggles,through the helmet, to significantly reduce therisks of fogging.9 <strong>Far</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Ski</strong>er’s Guide / Digital Edition Insert 2O12 - 2O13
Prices start at about $60 for children’shelmets and can often reach $160 or more forone with all the bells and whistles. But beforeyou drop a dollar on fashion, make sureyou’ve investigated its protective function, andmake sure you’ve got one that fits you perfectly.Try Before You BuyDo your best to try on a variety of helmetsbefore deciding which one is for you.The same goes for buying one for your significantother, your children, or anyone else.Everyone’s head is shaped differently, andsome brands and models will fit your melonbetter than others! If you don’t live near amountain, it might be worth waiting until youget there to buy your newest headgear. Unlikehats, they don’t get wet or icy and you’ll besurprised by how warm and comfortable theright helmet can be.Like your boots, a helmet should fit as ifit were customized for you. You can start bymeasuring the circumference of your head tofind your standard helmet size in centimeters.If you’re in between sizes, there are adjustersin most helmets to tweak it to perfection.Make sure that the one you purchase fitssnugly – but isn’t so tight that it’s going to giveyou a headache. It should sit just over youreyebrows to protect your forehead – it shouldn’tride too high up on your head. Also try iton with your goggles to ensure the ensembleworks well together. A gap between your gogglesand helmet could leave you with a frozenforehead on the mountain.Protection, Not InvincibilityWhile a helmet decreases the risk ofhead injury, it can’t save you from all of them.In fact, some researchers believe that helmetsmay cause more harm than good because theyoffer a false sense of security. When it comesdown to it, both research and common sensesay that you’re much better off with one thanwithout one. You’ve heard both good and badstories of winter athletes who have survivedinjuries because their helmet was on, or thosewho might have survived had they been wearingone.To ensure that the helmet has beentested to provide adequate protection, look forthe SNELL RS-98 or ASTM F2040 sticker onthe inside of the helmet.Content courtesy of SnowSports Industries America |SIA, National <strong>Ski</strong> Patrollers and Snowlink.com. ▲▲SteamboatCelebrates50 Yearsin 2013Steamboat <strong>Ski</strong> Area will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary this season.Steamboat is a mountain that is truly legendary in its terrain, glades, powderand history. Events, promotions and specials will be held all season long. Makecertain to be in <strong>Ski</strong> Town USA during Steamboat’s Birthday Blowout celebrationtaking place from January 11 through 21. Steamboat will be going all outfor it 50th Anniversary with fireworks, torchlight parade, free concerts andspecial events culminating the anniversary period with the Bud Light CowboyDownhill on Monday, January 21, 2013. Larry Pierce/Steamboat<strong>Far</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Ski</strong>er’s Guide / Digital Edition Insert 2O12 - 2O13 10
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