How to transport ski equipment safely?

Ski equipment is quite difficult to transport due to its size. Often, the boards do not fit in the trunk, even in a station wagon. But even if we can hide the skis, this involves the loss of a certain part of the luggage area. It is true that many modern cars now have special solutions for transporting skis in the car. These holes in the back of the rear bench, through which you can extend the skis into the cabin.

If you are traveling with your family, you still need to pack your luggage, and in the case of a winter trip, it can be a lot, not to mention items such as ski boots or helmets. It all takes up a lot of space.

Therefore, it is better to use the so-called external solutions, like ski grips attached to roof rails or base beams. They can be the same beams that can be used to attach bicycle holders in summer. The so-called jaw grips, which consist of two parts: a fixed base (it is mounted to the base rack) and a movable cover. They allow you to transport 4 to 6 pairs of skis or snowboards. Due to the possibility of salt, sand or snow mud contaminating the equipment, this solution works better on short routes, although the skis can be protected with special covers. Also, choose handles that have a lock to prevent theft of skis.

"Skis should be mounted rearward facing, thanks to which aerodynamic drag will be lower. The vibration will also be smaller, which may cause loosening of the ski mounting handles," advises Radosław Jaskulski, a Skoda Auto School instructor.

As we have already mentioned, a winter skiing trip with the whole family means that apart from skis, other ski equipment and a lot of personal luggage are to be packed. Therefore, a better and safer way to transport equipment is the installation of a roof box. The roof box allows you to pack not only skis or a snowboard but also poles, boots, and ski clothing. Also, it guarantees that the luggage placed in it will be delivered dry and clean.

The box should be reinforced with metal rails. It is convenient if the cover lifts on gas cylinders, which makes it easy to open. A functional solution is also a central lock that bolts the lid in several points, and the ideal is a box that opens on two sides. It is good if the box is equipped with straps for securing luggage. Also, the aerodynamic shape of the box means that the cabin does not get the noise that the ski chuck generates.

"Roof boxes are designed to produce the least possible aerodynamic drag. However, you should be aware of the fact that they are an additional burden for the car. When choosing such a trunk, it is necessary to choose a specific car model and remember not to overload it," emphasizes Radosław Jaskulski.

Therefore, when choosing a roof box, it is best to match it at the authorized sales outlet of the brand. Then we receive a guarantee that such an element fits our car perfectly, both in terms of dimensions and safety.

For example, the Skoda brand offers roof boxes for all currently produced models of this brand. The boxes have standardized dimensions and fit every Skoda model.

The same goes for roof holders for the roof. It is not worth buying cheap accessories, the quality of which often leaves much to be desired. To make matters worse, mismatched components can damage the skis or even unfasten them while riding.

When choosing accessories useful during the winter skiing trip, it is also worth paying attention to the special trunk mats. They work when, for example, you need to transport ski boots in a trunk, which are just unfastened from the skis. The mat can be double-sided - on one side it is covered with fabric for everyday use, and on the other has a rubber surface resistant to water and dirt. Thanks to this, it can be easily washed under a running water stream.

However, for carrying the skis, as well as for transporting them, a special case made of reinforced material, closed with a zipper and equipped with handles will be useful.

When traveling to the mountains in winter, you also have to take snow chains. The word "obligatory" here should be taken literally because on some mountain roads in winter there is an obligation to use chains. Also when choosing chains, choose products designed for a specific car and recommended by its manufacturer.

"The chains should always be fitted to the drive axle, and in a four-wheel-drive car, the chains must be fitted to the front axle. Before leaving, it is a good idea to practice this activity several times to gain some practice," advises the Skoda Auto School instructor.

For a winter trip, items such as a tow rope, a flashlight or a reflective safety vest will also come in handy, not to mention a snow brush and a window scraper.