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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    the most beautiful place in the whole wide world
    Posts
    2,574

    Shipping skis pro tips?

    I swear I read a thread on this not long ago, my search skills must suck, I can't find it.

    Using the home ship options (no fee from a store), I'm seeing the following firm quotes based on actual box dimensions and weight to ship a pair of skis with bindings in a rectangular box, WA to MI:

    UPS Ground: $74.14
    USPS 3-day: $72.20

    No fancy insurance, no large declared value. The longest box dim is 76" but that's unavoidable, there is zero extra room in the box.

    Seems steep? Please drop some knowledge on this apparent shipping jong. thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Hell Track
    Posts
    13,845
    You'll likely get a cheaper rate if you run it through bikeflights.com or a similar service.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    monument
    Posts
    6,910
    I've shipped two pairs recently.
    One today.
    USPS Priority.
    One was $35, the other $45.
    186 & 189, so not short skis.
    Get a ski box ( ski shop); or make a frankenbox.
    Keep it under 75" long.

    No UPS.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Posts
    307
    Not sure if you are already doing this but shipping USPS through PayPal instead of the USPS click and ship platform is much cheaper. Once you exceed a certain total parcel dimensions it's pricey no matter what. Sent a pair of skis CA to MI over christmas that were initially quoted at 65$ but then hacked the box up a bit to reduce the width and height and I got under whatever threshold there was at it came to $24. Not sure where the actual cut off is but my dimensions were 84 x 6 x 3.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    LV-426
    Posts
    21,126
    I usually use Fed Ex Ground (aka Fed Ex Home, for home delivery). They've been cheaper than UPS, but I haven't shipped any skis mounted with bindings in several years.
    Quote Originally Posted by powder11 View Post
    if you have to resort to taking advice from the nitwits on this forum, then you're doomed.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Posts
    2,572

    Shipping skis pro tips?

    If you’re shipping flat skis- get that box as flat as possible. You’re paying for air. Act as if you’re flattening the box and slip the skis into that squished space stacked liked spoons. I know the tips will pultrude but you’re selling an illusion of 3-4”.. should save you over $20

    eta throw an old T shirt or rag between skis

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    DownEast
    Posts
    3,240
    FWIW, I just shipped a set of unmounted skis from ME to CO and it was $76 via UPS with $500 insurance.

    Thin bubblewrap between the spooned skis and then cling wrap them into a tight package.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    462
    Shipbikes.com is the best I’ve found for discounted FedEx freight

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NCW
    Posts
    4,579
    Pull bindings ship flat rate
    Ship skis flat

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    SLC
    Posts
    2,456
    bikeflights for ups
    shipbikes for fedex
    paypal or shippo.com for usps (same rates usually)

    should never cost more than $50 to ship skis even with bindings in the US

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Vacationland
    Posts
    5,915
    Just shipped a pair flat for $25, bikeflights was $47 for same package.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    the most beautiful place in the whole wide world
    Posts
    2,574
    Quote Originally Posted by ticketchecker View Post
    Just shipped a pair flat for $25, bikeflights was $47 for same package.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    I don't see a ski shipping option on bikeflights... do you just list contents as "bicycle gear"?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Encinitas CA
    Posts
    276
    I have used Lugless successfully in the past. About $50 staying west of the Mississippi and some insurance.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    462
    Quote Originally Posted by chaka View Post
    I don't see a ski shipping option on bikeflights... do you just list contents as "bicycle gear"?
    They don’t give a shit what’s in the box

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Tahoe-ish
    Posts
    3,141
    Quote Originally Posted by MegaStoke View Post
    They don’t give a shit what’s in the box
    They say that they do. The TOS very clearly states that only bike parts and full bikes can be shipped. IDK if that's ever enforced though.
    ride bikes, climb, ski, travel, cook, work to fund former, repeat.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    ut
    Posts
    939
    A few years ago UPS rates went through the roof when boxes got over a certain length. It’s insane now. They literally triple the rate for something of comparable weight that’s smaller in size.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    the most beautiful place in the whole wide world
    Posts
    2,574
    Quote Originally Posted by nickbokhoven View Post
    I have used Lugless successfully in the past. About $50 staying west of the Mississippi and some insurance.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Lugless looks promising... dont have to hide that you are skipping skis, and seem like equivalent or slightly better rates than bikeflight. thanks.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Alta
    Posts
    2,933
    Quote Originally Posted by El Chupacabra View Post
    I usually use Fed Ex Ground (aka Fed Ex Home, for home delivery). They've been cheaper than UPS, but I haven't shipped any skis mounted with bindings in several years.
    I just did this. On3ps mounted with guardians to Vermont from Utah. Think it was $53. Didn’t seem bad as I shipped skis flat to Oregon for only slightly less the month before.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    A little to the left
    Posts
    2,346
    IME - Occasionally ups will be cheapest if you use code “easy” at checkout.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Posts
    679
    ShipBikes.com or ShipNex.com for FedEx are usually the cheapest for large parcels.

    BikeFlights.com if you have to use UPS, but I've never seen it cheaper than the two above.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Swiss alps -> Bozone,MT
    Posts
    671
    If I want to ship a 50 lbs ski bag across the US, what am I roughly looking at? Any tips on which carrier is cheapest?
    (most likely VT->MT or WA->MT)

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Dystopia
    Posts
    21,054
    Quote Originally Posted by Pinned View Post
    ShipBikes.com or ShipNex.com for FedEx are usually the cheapest for large parcels.

    BikeFlights.com if you have to use UPS, but I've never seen it cheaper than the two above.
    Quote Originally Posted by smooth operator View Post
    If I want to ship a 50 lbs ski bag across the US, what am I roughly looking at? Any tips on which carrier is cheapest?
    (most likely VT->MT or WA->MT)
    Hmmmm. If only someone knew.
    . . .

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Swiss alps -> Bozone,MT
    Posts
    671
    Quote Originally Posted by Core Shot View Post
    Hmmmm. If only someone knew.
    Yes smartass, but those sites are bitching about cardboard boxes, so i wanted to know if someone has experience shipping a std ski-rollerbag across states.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Posts
    129
    Quote Originally Posted by smooth operator View Post
    Yes smartass, but those sites are bitching about cardboard boxes, so i wanted to know if someone has experience shipping a std ski-rollerbag across states.
    Back in the day, late 80's, shipped a skibag and a footlocker from SLC to Virginia. 35 bucks, a deal at the time. No problems .
    Just looked at the Trailways website and they have partnered with Greyhound to ship stuff. No idea what it costs, but may be worth checking into.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Park City
    Posts
    5,013
    I sent skis in a roller placed in cardboard via bike flights for a fraction of the cost of ups/fed ex


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    I rip the groomed on tele gear

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