ski carrying

Tips down, bindings behind my shoulder, no issues. I hate to say it but I don't think I would use a device. I've seen plenty and was even offered some commission for selling them a few years ago. Maybe they have their place for first timers but we just can't sanitise everything! It's perhaps a bit of an old school atitude but people are just too pampered these days. On no, I sound like my Dad!!!

At the end of a ski day I'll often carry my wife's skis even though she always refuses at first. Years ago when my 3 kids were young I'd sometimes find room for 4 pairs balanced over shoulders and under arms etc. while my wife helped them along. Maybe I am that device!!

A solution looking for a problem...

Ok, I'll play with the troll.

I usually carry my skis on my shoulder.  I'm usually too lazy, most times to put the tips forward; folks behind shouldn't tailgate (haven't taken anyone's eye out yet ) .

If it's a long way to the lift I DO make use of a compact device that makes carrying skis easier.   That device is short strap with a velco fastening strip.  I wrap the strap around the skis near the tips and it keeps the skis parallel, no matter how recklessly I carry them.

As soon as I get to clean snow, I put the skis on and the strap in my pocket (If the strap isn't left at the car), and skate the rest of the way.

...with my hands  .


If I've got a considerable distance to cover I'll just strap them to my backpack.



Oh, and I've got to agree that a ski carrying system seems pointless.


 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kneale Brownson 

The guy's two posts are about "his" product he wishes to promote.
Years ago, when velcro ski straps were just becoming common, someone offered a version with a carry strap between the two velcro straps. I think they offered them here for a free trial. They were a lot more bulky in the pocket, however.

Maybe he's trying to decide if he should invest.  I wouldn't.

I prefer carrying them in my teeth!

.....but I'm just Bad-Tushie that way, I guess...  

I agree that ski carriers have a limited market.  I recall a thing called the ski tote (pic below)  It had the added advantage that you could lock your skis up although I doubt the plastic would really deter much theft.  There may be a market for some sort of device that allows "dad" to carry multiple sets of skis at once since kids often struggle and dad has only two hands.

For short distances, I carry on my shoulder, like Adie described.

On a busy day at Stevens Pass, when I have to park way too far away, I use this:

http://www.rei.com/product/758363/rei-ski-carrier

Actually works pretty well.  This is useful when I need both hands free to carrying other stuff (extra bag for food in the brown bag areas, GF's gear; etc).

When I was really little and didn't have the upper body strength to carry my skis large distances I would make a carrying device out of my poles.  I'm sure you've seen some folks out there utilizing this method.  Step 1:  Place the strap of pole #1 around tips of skis.  Step 2:  Place the strap of pole #2 around tails of skis.  Step 3:  Run pole #1 through the strap of pole #2 and vice versa.  Step 4:  Grab middle of ski poles #1 and #2, lift gently from the knees, and walk away with steeze proclaiming that you are the best skier on the mountain.  Works every time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zivdichter 

what do you thing of a compact device that will make ski carrying easier?

I use Voile straps.  Many sizes, many uses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanvg 

I agree that ski carriers have a limited market.  I recall a thing called the ski tote (pic below)  It had the added advantage that you could lock your skis up although I doubt the plastic would really deter much theft.  There may be a market for some sort of device that allows "dad" to carry multiple sets of skis at once since kids often struggle and dad has only two hands.

 

In the early 80s one of those and one of these and you were all set:

I despise carrying skis (the ski-tote did not work for me and sold it ) so I much prefer to rent skis and poles at the lodge.....but only if the moving carpet is just outside the rental shop door.

My ski techs handle the skis.  I just step out of the heli in my Bogner 1 piece and click in at the top of the mountain.

Then... when I wake up in the parking lot after the drive I use my lock to hold them together for the ride on my shoulder.  I then leave the lock and my boot sole covers locked to the railing in front of the base lodge for the day.  I use the velcro strap to hold the pole strap at the end.

I've struggled with this for years. I was thinking that a device of some sort would be the ticket. I wonder though if the device would accomodate my ski boots as well? For now I think I'll just do what Treewell suggested, makes a lot of sense to me.

Frankly, I prefer to have my butler carry my skis and boots, then remove my custom fur-lined walking boots from my feet in the lodge and place the boots upon my feet, adjusting the buckles to ensure proper fitting.

Once upon a time I prefered the Texas Suitcase until I started reading this site and realized it would render me an object of mockery.

Why don't we all just do virtual skiing online and then we wouldn't have to bother with the tiresome things, or get cold, or venture into that horrible deep fluffy white snow!

I'm with you Adie, except for the part where I can still ski for another week or so at Crystal.  After that, THEN I will glad give up real world skiing in favor of the clearly superior option of virtual skiing. 

Until the middle-end of November when the vicious cycle of carrying skis starts over.

I clamp the skis between my thumb and fingers immediately behind the toe piece of the binding and walk the 20 or so feet from my truck to the nearest rack. Works even with fat skis. Have to get there early to do that, of course.

Ideally, of course, I would put on my boots in my living room and walk across the street to the lift, but I'm not quite there yet. Besides, the best ski areas don't have any housing at the base.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredUsername 

Frankly, I prefer to have my butler carry my skis and boots, then remove my custom fur-lined walking boots from my feet in the lodge and place the boots upon my feet, adjusting the buckles to ensure proper fitting.

Lodge?  You're still using a lodge?   You do not yet have a hand-carried litter to provide you and your personal boot butler commodious transport directly to the snow?

You shock me, sir, shock me indeed.   

Texas suitcase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantunamunch 

 

 

Lodge?  You're still using a lodge?   You do not yet have a hand-carried litter to provide you and your personal boot butler commodious transport directly to the snow?

 

You shock me, sir, shock me indeed.   

Well, I say, I do rather fancy myself quite the radical, old chum.   Perhaps now that you admonish me so, I will be tempted to utilize the palanquin.

In all honesty, I utlize the lodge primary to feed the hounds, but only when I wish to punish them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost 

Ok, I'll play with the troll.

 

I usually carry my skis on my shoulder.  I'm usually too lazy, most times to put the tips forward; folks behind shouldn't tailgate (haven't taken anyone's eye out yet ) .

 

If it's a long way to the lift I DO make use of a compact device that makes carrying skis easier.   That device is short strap with a velco fastening strip.  I wrap the strap around the skis near the tips and it keeps the skis parallel, no matter how recklessly I carry them.

 

As soon as I get to clean snow, I put the skis on and the strap in my pocket (If the strap isn't left at the car), and skate the rest of the way.

The Ski-Lash ski carrier works really well.  It is a simple strap and handle system that holds skis and poles very securely and then stores in a pocket while on the slopes.  Ski-Lash is available at www.skilash.com or www.amazon.com/ski-lash. And yes, I am trying to promote the product, but it does make the trip from the car or lodge to the lifts much easier especially if you are carrying more than one set of skis and poles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiredUsername 

For short distances, I carry on my shoulder, like Adie described.

 

On a busy day at Stevens Pass, when I have to park way too far away, I use this:

http://www.rei.com/product/758363/rei-ski-carrier

 

Actually works pretty well.  This is useful when I need both hands free to carrying other stuff (extra bag for food in the brown bag areas, GF's gear; etc).

I use a strap like that to carry my skis when i'm hiking side country. I just carry the strap across my chest so the skis are diagonal across my back, rather than over one shoulder like a purse.

And I agree, this guy is just looking to promote a product. Ski carriers have been around for years, and have never gained much traction. 

I make the husband carry mine. :) Somebody has to hold the kids' hands. 

My wife has trouble carrying on the shoulder due to a bad nerve to one of her shoulder muscles (just one of MANY problems she has from years of gymnastics--parents of young gymnasts take note) and tried using some kind of strap I bought her--not a ski tote but something that will fit in a pocket, don't recall what it's called) but she gave up on it and went back to the shoulder.  There are a few tricks- as noted.  For longer carries and climbs a voile strap helps. With tips forward and the toe piece behind your shoulder the weight of your arm will balance the weight of the ski tails and save energy.  The top ski brake should be behind the bottom ski brake so the top ski doesn't slide forward.  All this may not matter in the parking lot but when you're downclimbing the arete on the Aiguille du Midi and glare ice, trying to hold on to the safety rope it matters.  If you drop your skis they wind up down in Chamonix. (I learned and carried them on my pack).