Biers & Border Crossings
Hello Again, Powder Chasers!
As we get deeper into the season, and winter travel starts to pick up, we felt it was time to start sharing some of our own experiences traveling with ski & snowboard equipment. We know that the uncertainties surrounding a flight with oversized gear can often lead to a stressful journey. Still, we hope the lessons we've learned through our own misadventures can boost your confidence as you start preparing for those big trips. So let's travel back in time and across the Atlantic where our story begins.
A few years ago (fine...maybe it was closer to a decade ago, but no need to age myself so soon), I was gearing up for my very first international ski trip. Ironically, I was reverse-commuting for this adventure, flying from southern Germany to the home of ghost trees and glaciers: Whitefish, Montana. Don't get me wrong, the Alps are stunning and actually have a proper après ski scene, but the cold, light snow of the northern Rockies is worth a trans-Atlantic flight. As the trip approached, I was excited, but admittedly a bit nervous. Flying with oversized luggage is challenging enough, but throw in a few skeptical Deutsche Bahn employees, two Economy Basic flights, plus the wild card of US customs, and you're bound to have a few surprises.
1) The Walk
Two words: European Cobblestone. It's beautiful, yes, but it does not mix well with Americans and their roller bags (especially ski & snowboard bags). So walking 25 minutes from my apartment to the Nuremberg train station, dragging a ski bag weighing over 50lbs, was a bit more challenging than I had anticipated. Not only was my arm numb by the end of the excursion, but I'm confident the noise woke up half the city. On the plus side, my path took me right by the late night partygoers closing out their evening at 6am as I started my trip, so at least the walk didn't lack entertainment.
2) The Train
The ride from Nuremberg to Frankfurt Airport is about 2.5 hours non-stop and is remarkably affordable (take notes USA). This makes for an incredibly convenient option should you live in The Middle of Nowhere, Germany, and book a long-haul flight out of the country. Unfortunately, most train carriages aren't built to transport ski & snowboard bags. As a result, I spent those 2.5 hours sitting on the floor with a foot against my ski bag to ensure it didn't fall over, receiving less than friendly looks from the Deutsche Bahn employees the whole way. That said, the ride was smooth and I didn't sleep through my stop.
3) The Scale
Oh, the dreaded airline check-in scale. No matter what kind of trip you're taking, this little piece of machinery can ruin anyone's day. Enter yours truly with a recklessly packed ski bag and the confidence of a grom rolling into Corbet's Couloir. Most major airlines set 50lbs (~23kg) as their standard weight limit for checked luggage. These policies vary across airlines and flight segments, so check your airline's policy, but 50lbs is pretty common. My ski bag ended up closer to 60lbs, which proved to be problematic. Queue the mad scramble to transfer items from ski bag to backpack, because yes...I only brought a ski bag and a backpack on my week-long international ski trip. Fortunately, airlines weren't too worried about boots just dangling from backpacks in those days, so not only did I get my ski bag underweight, but I probably looked extra cool the rest of the trip.
4) US Customs
I'd love to share a ridiculous customs encounter here, but honestly, this was pretty uneventful. That said, you never know!
5) Checked Baggage Transfer
The airline scenes from Meet the Parents always had a big impact on me, so I usually avoid checking luggage whenever possible. So, when I landed in Colorado to catch my connecting flight to Montana, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with my ski bag. The rules have changed and can still vary by airport today, but for this little adventure I had to collect my checked bag, re-check it outside at the normal check-in counter (no checked bag transfer zone for this guy), and then go through pre-renovation Denver security (IYKYK). I did make the next flight, but the fear of missing that connection was very real.
Now, am I being a bit dramatic in the retelling of my ski trip to Montana? Yes.
Was the snow in Montana incredible? Yes.
Does that mean traveling with ski & snowboard equipment is easy? No!
So many challenges on this journey could have easily been avoided if I had reliable resources to help me plan properly. Sure, I watched a few YouTube videos to help pack my ski bag more efficiently, but those will never replace experience or proper guidance. At Tramline, we strive to provide you with the right products for your trip's needs (the Quad Hardside 190cm would have been perfect in my case). We also want to support you with all the information you need to prepare for your next adventure (check out the Travel Guide on our website).
We wish you all the best as your hit the slopes this season, and hope your mountain destinations deliver the fresh snow you deserve.
Cheers,
Mike @ TRAMLINE
