Skis can be tricky to ship due to their odd shape and fragility. Most cost between $200–$600+ per pair, so they’re not exactly cheap to replace or repair if they’re damaged or lost. This is why you need to take special precautions when shipping this winter gear—whether you’re shipping across town or across the country.
Luckily, shipping fragile and bulky items is our bread and butter, and skis tick both boxes.
Below, we’ll walk you through our 7-step guide on how to ship skis securely, based on over a decade of experience.
Clean and inspect your skis
01
Take time to give your skis a good cleaning before shipping them. That way, they’ll be ready for use (or proper storage) when they arrive. Keeping them clean also helps them maintain their condition.
To clean your skis:
01
Mix water and a gentle detergent to form a cleaning solution.
02
Use this cleaning solution to remove salt residue, dirt, and other debris from the surfaces of your skis, including the edges.
03
Dry your skis thoroughly using a clean cloth to remove all traces of moisture.
04
Before packing up your skis, make sure they’re completely dry. Moisture can cause issues like swelling, rusted screws, or delamination, especially when they’re sealed up tightly in a box while being shipped.
05
Inspect your skis for any signs of damage. Look for bent edges, gouges, cracks, and other damaged areas.
PRO TIP: Take photos of anything you find to document existing damage. If the recipient notices damage when they unpack the skis, you can compare them to the photos to see if any new damage occurred during shipping.
Decide if you want to handle the packaging
02
You don’t necessarily have to spend time and effort packaging your skis for shipping. In fact, UPS and FedEx can handle this for you. If you bring your skis to one of their locations, these carriers can find a box, package them, and ship them to the given destination.
Bear in mind that this might increase the cost of shipping your skis. However, paying for the convenience can save you a considerable amount of time and potential frustration compared to doing it yourself.
Tie the brakes and wrap the skis
03
Brakes on skis can become a hazard if they’re not removed or tied up for shipping. They can poke through the box or even break during transit. So you need to prep them for the journey.
To prepare your skis for shipment:
01
If possible, take the brakes off. This usually involves removing the screws that hold them in place. If you do this, consider taping the brakes to your skis to keep them from banging around in the box.
02
If you can’t remove the brakes, use zip ties to secure them. Loop a zip tie through each brake to hold them in place in the “up” position during shipping. Doing this also makes it easier to fit your skis in your shipping box.
03
Wrap your skis with bubble wrap or foam sheets. Make sure all bindings and edges are securely wrapped to prevent damage. Place extra padding on the tips and tails: these are most at risk of being damaged during shipping.
04
Use painter’s tape (or a similar tape) to hold the padding in place. Otherwise, the foam sheets or bubble wrap can become loose during transit.
Use the right packaging
04
A pair of skis might not weigh much, but their length can make it challenging to find the right packaging.
To package your skis:
01
Use packaging designed for skis, such as durable ski bags, heavy-duty cardboard boxes, or specialty ski shipping boxes, to reduce the risk of damage to your skis during transit.
02
Get padding materials that can protect your skis—air cushioning or bubble wrap will work. JT, assistant warehouse manager at ski shop Powder7, offers advice on what not to use for ski padding: “Don’t use packing peanuts. They’re a nightmare.”
03
Before putting your skis in your ski box, place them tip-to-tail and base-to-base. This keeps the bindings from taking up too much room. Use tape or zip ties to hold the skis together. Finally, place newspaper or another kind of soft material between your skis to protect against scratching.
03
Once your skis are wrapped and ready, carefully put them in the box or bag. Make sure they’re centered to reduce the risk of having them bang against the sides of the packaging. Surround them with additional padding material until you’ve filled up all empty spaces.
Seal the box tightly
05
You don’t want your skis falling out. To avoid that, use heavy-duty packing tape to seal the box. Tape up the bottom and top of the box, along with all seams, to reduce the risk of having the box open up during shipping.
Add more stability by putting tape on the corners and edges. This reinforces these areas, protecting against rips and other damage. When you’re done taping, double-check your packaging to make sure all seams are sealed up.
Choose a carrier
06
When determining which carrier to use, consider a few factors—like how soon you need them to arrive and how much you have budgeted to spend on shipping.
Shorter delivery times and international shipping generally have higher costs than longer delivery times and domestic shipping. You might also pay higher fees for shipping oversized packages, depending on the carrier’s policies.
With international shipping, you may need to add import duties and taxes to your overall cost.
Some of the primary carriers that ship skis domestically and internationally include UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL. Each carrier offers varying rates and shipping options. You estimate costs for each carrier using their shipping calculators:
For a quick comparison of shipping costs, see below for shipping skis from NYC to Los Angeles:
| Carrier | Overnight | 2 business days | 3-5 business days |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | $96 | $86 | $68 |
| FedEx | $488 | $388 | N/A |
| USPS | $286 | $166 | N/A |
| DHL | N/A | N/A | N/A |
For international shipping, see below for shipping skis from NYC to London:
| Carrier | 1-3 business days | 3-5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| UPS | $814 | $716 |
| FedEx | $886 | N/A |
| USPS | N/A | $152 |
| DHL | N/A | N/A |
PRO TIP: Because of their length, the carrier may charge you based on dimensional weight instead of physical weight. This means your shipment cost is based on the dimensions of your package instead of the weight. Use our dimensional weight calculator to see which will be used (and the approximate cost).
Label the package
07
Your skis need the right labeling to reach their destination safely. Place “This Side Up” and “Fragile” stickers on your packaging in highly noticeable areas. This helps ensure that the box is kept upright and handled with care during transit, lowering the risk of damage to your skis.
You’ll also need to print out and attach a shipping label to your box. The recipient’s address and contact information should be clearly visible. This helps reduce the risk of the skis ending up in the wrong place—or getting lost in transit.
What to consider when shipping skis
Skis might not be as fragile or sensitive as other items, like electronics, but that doesn’t mean there are no risks or challenges in shipping them. Here are a few of the major considerations when shipping ski equipment:
The shape
Shipping skis safely involves making sure they don’t break or bend. Their long, narrow shape can make that difficult—especially if they’re not packaged properly.
Packaging for your skis should accommodate their length and keep their edges safe from damage. Avoid trying to ship them in a box that they just barely fit in because then there won’t be enough room for packaging materials and necessary cushioning.
ALERT: It’s not just the length of your skis that you have to worry about when picking packaging. You’ll also need a box or container that’s sturdy. Remember that weaker packaging won’t be as effective at protecting your skis.
The bindings
Bindings are particularly vulnerable to damage and you can’t use the skis without them. So, it’s important to give these parts of your skis special attention and care when you’re getting ready to ship them.
Bindings can come loose if they’re jostled around while being shipped. This puts them even more at risk of sustaining damage—and they can end up causing damage to your skis if they’re not secured.
PRO TIP: Wrap bindings with bubble wrap or foam to cushion them. This keeps them safely in place, reducing the risk of movement during shipping.
If possible, consider removing the bindings from your skis instead of wrapping them up. Pack them separately to lower the risk of damage. Only do this if you know how to properly and safely remove them and reattach them.
The costs
Regardless of the carrier you go with, how much you end up paying to ship your skis depends on a few factors:
- Package dimensions
- Weight
- Distance
- Additional fees for fragile items
- Shipping speed
- The carrier you choose
Items that are larger, heavier, or oversized often cost more to ship. Skis may not be that heavy—but they’re usually considered oversized due to packaging length.
The distance your skis have to travel also affects shipping costs. Longer shipping distances usually come with higher costs. Shipping costs also vary by carrier—making it important to do comparisons before choosing one.
When you’re comparing shipping options from USPS, FedEx, or other carriers, consider reliability in addition to costs. You might find lower costs with some shipping companies. But the cheapest way may not offer the dependability you need. Consider each carrier’s reputation to find a good balance of cost and reliability.
Remember that you can often reduce your shipping costs by choosing a slower shipping option. Standard shipping or ground shipping service may take a few days longer. But they cost less than overnight or express shipping.
PRO TIP: Need to ship multiple items, such as your skis and ski boots? Consider using a ski bag to ship ski gear together instead of having to pay for multiple shipments. Just make sure you wrap all items in the bag to lower the risk of damage.
Need a trusted partner for winter equipment order fulfillment?
If you sell skis online, you may want to consider outsourcing your order fulfillment to a trusted 3PL partner like Red Stag Fulfillment.
We have years of experience handling and shipping oversized items for businesses, including skis and other winter equipment. And we know how expensive it can be to lose even a single unit expensive winter gear inventory—that’s why our guarantees include a 0% shrinkage policy. (If we lose it, we pay for it.)
Need reliable and cost-effective order fulfillment for skis, snowboards, or similar equipment? Let’s start a conversation.
