So, I'm going to Beaver Creek in Avon, CO this weekend and I need some advice on checking my snowboard. Have a United flight, and their site says the following: Now, would you estimate that this means I MUST remove the bindings from the board and check nothing but the board itself in my board bag? Can I leave the bindings attached if I don't want to dick around with removal and reinstallation? Anybody have any advice about it? Should I be horrified by the idea of checking my board in a soft bag? Any and all legitimate advice is greatly appreciated!
I just got off the phone with an operator on the United 1-800 number, and she said essentially that I am allowed to leave the bindings attached to the board in the board bag, and I am allowed to pack other clothing items in with the boots/board bags as long as I don't exceed the 50lbs restriction, but she said it is "advised to pack only the sporting goods in their bags." Sound legitimate? Advice?
I wrap my skiis in a blanket before putting them into the bag. I also pack my GS race suit in there as well. The boot bag gets the helmet and gloves. That lightens the load for my clothing bag.
I think it sounds legit. Although your board/bag/bindings are VERY close to 50 lbs. I can't remember what it was for me last time I flew with my board. if all else fails, try to figure out a way to weigh it before you go to the airport.
When I went a couple years ago(so take it for what it's worth) I had a couple boards and gear in the snowboard bag plus a checked bag with clothes and what not. Watch the 50lbs restriction, easy to go over. No reason to remove the bindings. I think it's just worded poorly. On her advice, I'd say it's just to cover their ass. They really toss that stuff around. I'd wrap it in a blanket too.
I've actually got a non-padded board bag, so I'm thinkin the blanket is very necessary. My buddy's board bag is padded, so I think he'll be ok. I'm wondering if it would be worth our while to just check our boards as just the board bags and check a third large bag for our boots, jackets, clothing, etc... That would also save us from having to buy boot bags. Any thoughts on that idea?
Or, we could remove the bindings from both of our boards, blanket them, check them in his padded bag, and check all of our boots and some clothing in a large luggage check bag, then pack what we can in carry-ons... ???
Beaver Creek is a great resort. Killer terain (from a skiers POV) and great atmosphere. Have a blast!
I fly on Northwest a lot with lots of skis and they usually don't weight the boot bag with the skis. Also if you put your luggage bag next to the scale so the snowboard is sitting on the scale and your luggage bag, you can get away with it being over 50lbs. I've used a hard case for my skis before and they slammed a door on it or something and actually broke one of my skis, I use soft cases now, mainly cause they can hold a lot more, but they seem to be a little more careful with something that's really awkward to carry.
i have a good dual padded snowboard bag that i use when I go out west. i usually wrap it with towels, and that works fine. i have also used bubble wrap. i always take my bindings off, but I usually have more than one board. i still put the bindings + my boots in the bag. if you need the bag, i am happy to borrow it to you. PM me
Im to lazy to read everything. As I've traveled the world for the past 8 years now, this is what I would do in your shoes. 1 snowboard bag. Leave bindings on, pack everything you want in this one bag, hopefully you have wheels on it. I usually let it weigh in around 49-50 lbs. If its ever over I'll just take my snowboard boots out and carry them on the plane with me. Then again usually only the super small airports will care about weighing luggage if you are boarding a small plane. Oh and dont show up a minute after the 60 minute window is closed. You'll be in for a rough time.
