Not just for skiing

When winter finally begins to snow, white madness lovers will have to load their ski equipment into cars.

When winter finally begins to snow and lifts start working on the distant mountain slopes, fans of white madness will have to load ski equipment into cars, which, however, can sometimes spoil the joy of the trip.  

Not only for travel comfort, but also for safety, it is not recommended to improvise here. It is better to rely on reliable solutions from branded manufacturers (Thule, Flapa, Mont Blanc), which will provide us not only with convenient loading and unloading, but also with sufficient protection of the equipment and, as a result, a lot of fun on the trip.  

Thanks to modern ski and snowboard mounting solutions, we can travel safely with our ski equipment. The equipment is installed quickly and conveniently, without freezing fingers and wasting time.

Better outside

The choice of rack or handle depends on the nature of the trip we are planning, the distance of the trip and the amount of equipment we are going to take with us.

Various types of racks are available on the market, from simple carriers for one pair of skis, to extensive systems that allow you to carry several pairs of skis and several snowboards.

Carrying skis inside the car is not convenient and not safe, but very popular. Many car models have a special tunnel on the back of the rear seat for transporting skis. Luxury cars also have a special coating, the so-called "sleeve".

However, you should remember to properly mount the skis so that the equipment does not endanger passengers or damage the car.

A roof rack is also a popular solution. The roof of a compact class car is wide enough to fit up to eight pairs of skis or a few snowboards, although it's much easier to stuff them in the trunk.

SUV owners can use the trunk installed at the rear of the car. The transported equipment in this case is mounted low and protrudes only slightly above the edge of the roof so that the air resistance is not high.

In both cases, one of the important design elements of the luggage racks are special locks, thanks to which the equipment is fixed both during transportation and when parking.

Boxes, holders or magnets

The most popular way to attach skis are special holders. A well-chosen handle holds the equipment well - the skis do not scratch the paint. To reduce air resistance, the skis should be pointing backwards. Please note that carving ski bindings are much higher and may damage the roof of the vehicle. Therefore, it is better to choose a trunk higher, for example, for 3 or 6 pairs of skis.

When traveling, you should take a set of tools suitable for tightening the screws of the trunk handle. It is worth knowing that each type of rack is attached with different tools.

Price: from PLN 15 (knows one pair of skis) to about PLN 600-850 for 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards.

In turn, a roof box is the best, but also the most expensive way to transport ski equipment. In addition to skis or snowboards, you can pack poles, shoes and clothes. Box protects equipment from the weather and from theft. He also has disadvantages: he creates a lot of resistance when driving, increasing fuel consumption and increasing the noise level.

Prices for boxes, depending on their capacity, range from 450 to 1800 PLN.

The magnetic holder is ideal for transporting skis, especially for short distances on cars with a flat metal roof. It is easy to install - no rails or tools required. Thoroughly clean the roof and base of the handle before attaching the roof rack.

Rubber bands make it easy to assemble quickly, but can cause problems closing in cold weather. Prices: PLN 120 – 850.

It seems that the best, although not the cheapest solution is to carry your skis in a box. This is a versatile, convenient, aesthetic and safe trunk, and is also useful not only for transporting ski equipment.

Ski rack mounting types

- into the drain (old car models)

- for body parts (mounting brackets are individual for this car model)

– magnetic

- attaches to roof rails

– attached to the rear door (SUVs)  

Practical Notes:

– In some countries, such as Austria, it is not recommended to carry skis inside a car, unless it is equipped with a “sleeve”. When transporting skis inside a car, they must be secured in such a way that they do not pose a danger to travelers.

– If you hear any disturbing sounds coming from the roof while driving, stop the vehicle as soon as possible and check the attachment of the equipment.

– When transporting skis in an open boot, it is recommended to secure the bindings with a bag.