Burton’s Guide on How to Fly with a Snowboard

When booking a flight to that bucket list mountain destination, it's crucial to know how to fly with a snowboard. Understanding airline policies, snowboard bag options, and how to pack will all contribute to a successful trip. In this guide, the experts at Burton lay it all out, so whether it’s your first time flying with snowboard gear or it’s been a few years, you'll have all the knowledge you need to travel confidently.

• Review Snowboard Baggage Policies for Airlines
• Purchase Travel Snowboard Bags
• Pack Your Snowboard Bags
• Prepare for the Airport
• Don’t Want to Fly with Gear? Explore Other Options

Review Snowboard Baggage Policies for Airlines

** Updated September, 2024 **

Before you book your flight, it's important to review snowboard baggage policies for airlines ahead of time. Each airline is different, so it’s important to look at all options before you commit to a flight. This includes details like additional costs for flying with oversized baggage (like your snowboard), bag weight limits, and policies specific to sports equipment. Here at Burton, we have compiled a list of popular mountain destination airlines and their policies. This will help make sure you purchase the correct bags and pack accordingly for your airline.

Pro tip: Always confirm the airline’s baggage policies before booking a ticket.

Air Canada

On Air Canada flights in North America, a snowboard boot bag and snowboard bag collectively count as one item if the bags only contain snowboarding equipment. If boot bags are transporting items besides boots, additional charges may apply. There are no oversized bag charges for snowboard equipment, but if the weight exceeds 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms), overweight fees will likely apply.

When traveling between Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, skis or a snowboard can be brought in addition to the standard international baggage allowance at no extra charge. This also includes one boot bag containing ski or snowboard equipment, even if you are not traveling with skis or a snowboard. This policy applies to flights operated by Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, or Swiss International Air Lines.

On Air Canada, the international ski and snowboard equipment policy above applies to all fares except the Economy Basic Fare.

Check the cost of your baggage for international and domestic flights through Air Canada’s Baggage Policies.

Air France

On Air France items that are 62 inches (158 centimeters) or longer fall into the category of oversized baggage. Items exceeding 50 pounds (27 kilograms) may also be considered overweight baggage. In either case, you can pay an additional fee at the airport to check skis or snowboards as long as you check in at least two hours prior to departure for flights within France or three hours before departure for international flights.

Fees for oversized or overweight items are determined at the time of departure based on your flight itinerary and cannot be paid online, in advance of your trip. Visit the Air France Extra, Oversized, and Overweight Baggage page for more details.

Alaskan Airlines

Snowboard bags cost the same as normal checked bags; thirty-five dollars (USD) for the first bag and forty-five dollars (USD) for the second checked bag. There are no fees for oversized or overweight ski and snowboard bags. Alaska Airlines baggage policies provide more details on how to fly with a snowboard and what to expect.

American Airlines

American Airlines allows one snowboard bag and one boot bag as a single, regular checked item. The weight limit is 70 pounds (32 kilograms) and the maximum linear length is 126 inches (320 centimeters). The first checked bag costs forty dollars (USD) (thirty-five if booked online), and the second checked bag will cost forty-five dollars (USD). The only items allowed in boot bags are boots, helmets, and bindings. American Airlines will charge travelers for an additional bag if there are other items in the boot bag.

British Airways

British Airways allows snowboards and skis that fall within the dimensions of 75 x 30 x 26 inches (190 x 75 x 65 centimeters). Snow sports equipment must travel inside a protective bag. Boots may travel in a separate boot bag as carry-on luggage and must adhere to the size limitations of carry-on luggage. Boot bags larger than the legally allowable carry-on bag size must be checked and will incur an additional fee.

British Airways strongly recommends informing them by phone of your intent to bring skis or a snowboard on your flight, especially if you are traveling to a destination that is popular for snow sports. This will give you the best chance of securing space for your equipment. If you do not contact them a minimum of three days before your trip, they cannot guarantee space for your skis or snowboard.

If your itinerary includes a leg on a partner airline, the baggage policies may be different. Visit the British Airways sports equipment information page for more specifics.

Pro tip: Frequent flyer status with airlines often includes checked baggage perks. If you travel frequently, taking advantage of these programs can save you money.

China Southern

Passengers on China Southern may travel with ski equipment (and possibly snowboard equipment, although it is not expressly stated on their website). The allowance for skis includes one pair of skis, one pair of poles, and one pair of boots, all of which are subject to China Southern’s applicable baggage regulations regarding dimensions and weight.

Ski equipment is free to check for certain domestic destinations within China, but some other domestic destinations require fees. If ski equipment falls outside the standard weights set forth in the normal baggage definition, additional fees will be charged based on the weight of your equipment, regardless of destination.

For international travel, one complete set of ski equipment may be checked for free, so long as the combined weight of all equipment does not exceed 50.7 pounds (23 kilograms) and the length, width, and height of the equipment does not exceed a combined 80 inches (203 centimeters). Learn more on China Souther’s Baggage Rules page.

Delta Airlines

One boot bag and one snowboard bag count as a single checked item through Delta Airlines ski and snowboard policy. The total combined weight of both bags cannot exceed 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms) and the maximum linear length of the board bag cannot exceed 115 linear inches (292 centimeters). Overweight and oversize charges may apply for any bags that exceed the weight and size limit. For specific baggage fees, use the Delta baggage calculator to estimate costs.

Emirates

Emirates accepts checked snowboard and ski equipment as part of your standard baggage allowance. Ski equipment may consist of one pair of skis, one pair of poles, and one pair of boots. Snowboard equipment may include one snowboard and one pair of snowboard boots. Fees vary and you will need to contact your local Emirates office to help determine the cost based on your travel itinerary.

If traveling on Emirates with a snowboard or skis to or from destinations in the Americas, the total dimensions (length + width + height) of any one piece of your equipment may not exceed 59 inches (150 centimeters). Items exceeding these limits, but not larger than 118 inches (300 centimeters), will be charged additional fees. Review Emirates Baggage Allowances for more details.

Finnair

Finnair considers ski equipment as special baggage and charges additional fees based on the destination of your trip and when you pay (online prior to a trip is cheaper, but at the airport is more expensive). Ski equipment larger than 86 inches (220 centimeters) is considered oversized and will incur oversized bag charges. Ski or snowboard bags may contain more than one pair of skis or multiple snowboards as long as the combined weight does not exceed 50.7 pounds (23 kilograms).

Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members may travel with one ski or snowboard bag for free. Learn more by reading Finnair’s frequently asked questions about baggage.

Frontier

One boot bag and one board bag count as a single checked bag through Frontier Airlines baggage policies. If the boot bag weighs over 25 pounds (11.3 kilograms), the boot bag and snowboard bag will count as two separate items. The cost of your checked bags depends on your final destination, and you can verify the price through Frontier Airlines bag price checker.

Qantas

On Qantas, passengers may only check ski or snowboard equipment that is contained inside a protective bag. Only a single set of skis or a single snowboard is allowed per passenger. If your snow sports equipment exceeds your checked baggage allowance, airport excess baggage rates will apply. Excess baggage does have limitations: no single item may exceed 70 pounds (32 kilograms), and any items weighing over 50 pounds (23 kilograms) will be charged a heavy charge at the airport.

Limitations on the number of excess bags vary for domestic flights as well as by continent for international flights. Visit the Qantas sporting equipment page to learn more.

Southwest

Southwest’s baggage policy considers one boot bag and one board bag as one checked item. There are no additional fees for oversized baggage, but if the weight of both bags exceeds 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms), an additional one hundred dollar (USD) fee will be charged for an overweight bag. If the bags are under the weight limit, each customer may have two free checked bags.

United

One boot bag and one snowboard bag with up to two snowboards count as one checked bag through United’s policies and costs their normal baggage fee. If the combined weight of the bags exceeds 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms), there are overweight fees. The cost of checked bags depends on the final destination of the flight. Use the United Baggage Fee Calculator for estimated costs.

A Final Note on Airline Baggage Policies for Ski & Snowboard Equipment

Airline baggage policies for ski and snowboard equipment are dynamic and always changing. Whether you are flying domestically or internationally, the experts at Burton recommend contacting your airline by phone prior to any trip to confirm their current ski and snowboard equipment policies and fees.

Purchase Travel Snowboard Bags

Once you’ve decided on an airline and booked your flight, it’s time to purchase snowboard travel bags for your trip. Some important things to keep in mind when shopping are baggage size, durability, and padding/protection. Flying with a snowboard can feel nerve-wracking, but having protective snowboard bags should ease any concerns and ensure that your gear is protected while in transit.

If you already own a snowboard travel bag we recommend beginning every trip by emptying all of the pockets and wiping away dirt or heavy soiling before packing and traveling. Inspect your zippers and seams before every trip too. To keep zippers running smoothly, clean them with some warm water and a toothbrush and then treat them with a silicon-based zipper lubricant. Use TSA-approved locks on your snowboard bag for an extra margin of protection.

Travel Snowboard Bag

Many airlines will not let you check a snowboard unless it is packed inside a travel snowboard bag, so this should be one of your first investments before flying with a snowboard. When choosing a travel snowboard bag, think of how much padding you want, how many other items you will pack in your bag, and which additional features are important to you. If you are purchasing a snowboard travel bag for a specific trip, make sure it falls within your airline’s specifications before slapping down that credit card.

• Wheels: Wheeled snowboard bags are easier to pull around on firm surfaces.
• Compartments: Multiple compartments make packing and organizing gear within your travel snowboard bags easier.
• Handles: Handles provide a variety of carrying options on travel days.
• Water Resistant Fabric: Water-resistant fabric protects equipment inside your travel snowboard bags from snow and slush.

The more padding and special features included in the bag, the higher the price may be. No matter what features you decide on, above all else we recommend purchasing a fully padded snowboard bag for airline travel to protect your gear while in transit.

Pro tip: Size up your travel snowboard bag slightly to ensure you have enough space for all your gear. If you're hitting the airport with multiple bags, a Voile strap can be used to strap bags to your wheeled snowboard bag, freeing up your hands and making walking around easier.

Snowboard Boot Bag

An additional bag that some riders choose to purchase is a snowboard boot bag. As mentioned above, some airlines consider board bags and boot bags as one item. If your airline allows this, having a boot bag can provide you with more space for packing and staying organized. Boot bags help you avoid overstuffing your board bag and help with weight distribution for carrying all your luggage. Additionally, if you use a boot bag, you’ll have more room in your carry-on luggage.

Pro tip: No boot bag? Pack your clothes in your snowboard bag and put snowboard boots in your carry-on luggage. Just make sure to read the airline's fine print first to confirm that this strategy is allowed.

Pack Your Snowboard Bags

Packing your snowboard bags strategically and paying attention to weight limits is another important part of flying with a snowboard. Here are some packing tips.

Pack Snowboard Gear Strategically For Flights

When packing your snowboard bags, use stuff sacks and packing cubes to help conserve space and keep your items organized. Consolidating clothing and outerwear into smaller zipped bags can double the amount of space and can set you up for easier transitions if you need to dig something out of your bag at the airport.

Another helpful trick is to use your clothes and outerwear as additional padding around your gear, in case you don’t have a fully padded snowboard bag. Pack your snow pants or base layers carefully around the edges of your board for more protection, but be aware that freshly sharpened snowboard edges can cut fabrics.

Pro tip: If your snowboard edges are freshly sharpened, tape some cardboard around them to protect other items that are packed inside your snowboard bag.

Weigh Snowboard Bags Before You Fly

Take the time at home to weigh your snowboard bags at home, before you fly. The last thing you want to deal with at the airport is paying surprise fees for your overweight bags. Double-check your airline’s policy to find out what the weight limit is for your bags.

Pro tip: To find out the weight of your bags at home, step on a house scale while holding your bags and then subtract your total body weight to find out how much each bag weighs.

Don't Overpack

On a snowboard trip, you’ll need the right clothing to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Knowing that snowboard outerwear can be bulky, do yourself a favor and remember that less is more. Make sure you have the basics covered including, snowboard socks, base layers, a snowboard jacket, snowboard pants or bibs, and some casuals, but leave the unnecessary items at home. Nothing is worse than dragging around extra weight while traveling.

A Note About Traveling with Avalanche Rescue Equipment and Avalanche Airbag Packs

If you are bringing avalanche rescue equipment on a snowboard trip, here are some additional considerations.

Remove Batteries: Remove all batteries from devices before traveling. This includes avalanche transceivers, radios, and battery-powered avalanche airbag systems.

Keep Small, High-value Items Close: Pack small, high-value items like avalanche transceivers, radios, GPS devices, and personal locator beacons (PLBs) in your carry-on bag.

Travel with Empty Gas Cylinders: If you have an avalanche airbag system that uses compressed air or CO2, ensure that the gas cylinder is empty and that the pressure gauge reflects this, otherwise it is likely to be confiscated at the airport. Better yet, leave the cylinder at home and pick one up at your final destination to avoid hassles at the airport.

Prepare for the Airport

On the day of your departure, do a double-check of your equipment before heading to the airport to make sure you haven't forgotten anything important. Once you are packed up and ready to leave, take photos of all the bags you plan on checking, in case you need to file any damage claims with an airline. Arrive at the airport two hours before domestic flights, or three hours before international flights so you have plenty of time to check your bags. Add baggage tags to each checked bag with your name, phone number, and email, and store all baggage claim checks in a safe place like your wallet or a zippered pocket.

Pro tip: Using tracking hardware, like Apple AirTags, is a great way to keep tabs on gear when flying with your snowboard, however, technology can fail. We also recommend manually documenting the serial numbers of your highest-value items and also using durable luggage tags.

Don't Want to Fly with Gear? Explore Other Options

Don’t want to fly with a snowboard? Don’t worry. There are several other options if you don’t want to bring your own gear to make turns on the mountain of your dreams.

Ship Snowboard Bags Ahead of Time

Avoid flying with a snowboard altogether by shipping your gear ahead of time. There are a handful of different companies that can conveniently pick up your snowboarding gear at your home and deliver it to your hotel or lodging, hassle-free. Easily book online with services such as Ship Skis or Luggage Forward so you can travel light and not worry about losing your luggage.

Rent Snowboard Gear at the Resort

If you are taking a quick trip or want to head to the mountains for just one day, renting gear at the resort is an excellent option instead of flying with your snowboard. Most ski areas offer snowboard gear rentals. We recommend contacting the mountain you will visit ahead of time to make sure they will have the gear you need.

Pro tip: Make a reservation ahead of time to skip some paperwork and get out on the mountain faster.

Visit a Burton Learn to Ride Center

If you are new to snowboarding and your final destination features a Burton Learn to Ride (LTR) Center, you are in for a treat. Burton Learn to Ride Centers provide high-quality instruction with easy-to-use Burton gear for anyone interested in learning. They offer programs for all levels of riders and ages.

Burton LTR Center availability varies by region, so make sure to research your options and confirm program availability before you travel.

Enjoy the Ride

Successfully traveling with snowboarding equipment is easy if you invest in the right baggage, and plan ahead, so don't rush it. Do your research, plan your snowboard trip one step at a time, and don't leave anything to chance. Trust us, a good snowboarding trip is worth all the time spent planning.

Now get out there, take some powder turns, and enjoy the ride.