| So you have saved your pennies and are going | | | | and other cold weather clothes are thick and not |
| on a ski vacation this winter? Cool for you. But | | | | easily folded for packing. A weekend trip can be |
| how do you pack all of your ski equipment and | | | | hard enough to pack for in the winter, imagine |
| clothes for that vacation? You have everything | | | | trying to get all your clothes packed for a two |
| laid out and set to pack, but how are you going | | | | week trip! |
| to do that, especially if you are flying? With the | | | | There is a simple solution to this dilemma. Pack |
| airlines raising fees on checked baggage, you will | | | | your bulky clothes in a box. They may be bulky, |
| want to look into your options. Even if you are | | | | but for the most part they don't weigh a lot. Call |
| travelling by car, it might be tough to get | | | | the resort or lodge where you are going to be |
| everything you need in your vehicle without | | | | staying and tell them that you are sending a |
| looking like Clark W. Griswald! | | | | package/box to them in care of you. Ask them if |
| First place to begin is looking at what is available | | | | they will hold it for you at the desk. They are |
| to you at your vacation spot. Check into rental | | | | usually happy to do so. With all the shipping |
| shops to see what they charge for skis and other | | | | companies in the market today, you can shop |
| equipment. If you are going to a popular area, | | | | around and find the best deal on shipping rates. |
| there will be competition in regards to rental | | | | You don't want your clothes to get to your |
| prices and you can shop for the best deal. This is | | | | destination too early and have it shoved into a |
| assuming that you don't mind renting your | | | | back corner, but you definitely want it there |
| equipment. Remember, rental places have to keep | | | | when you arrive. Multiple boxes may be cheaper |
| their skis and everything else in top condition to | | | | to ship, but then you run the risk of one getting |
| stay competitive. | | | | lost in the shuffle, either with the shipping |
| So you don't want to rent? Not a problem. Any | | | | company or at your resort. Weigh the contents |
| ski area is going to have a plethora of ski shops | | | | of what you want to ship and find out if it would |
| available to you. Call around and find out the prices | | | | be cheaper to split the clothes up into more than |
| for the bulky items like skis, poles, and boots. | | | | one box, or just go with the price of one box. |
| Then ask them if they buy used equipment; lots | | | | You will most likely find that shipping your bulky |
| of places do. If that shop doesn't, ask them who | | | | items ahead of you will be cheaper than paying |
| does in that area. You may find that buying a | | | | the fee for checked baggage at the airport, or |
| new set of ski equipment and then selling them | | | | trying to squeeze all of your luggage into your car. |
| back barely used when you are done with your | | | | For your return trip, simply re-pack the box and |
| ski vacation may actually be close to what you | | | | send it to your home. |
| would have had to pay for rental equipment and | | | | With a little forethought and planning, you can |
| you will be using new equipment and not used. | | | | enjoy your ski vacation with little or no hassle |
| Winter clothes are bulky and hard to pack even | | | | when it comes to packing everything you will |
| when you aren't going skiing. Jackets, sweaters, | | | | need. |