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September, 2024

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Getting to Australia for the summer?

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toebutterboy
Posts: 2 - Karma: 17
First time actually posting, but I figured there were a couple folks in here with some experience on something I'm trying to problem solve...

Coming from North America, I got a job at an aussie resort this summer and a sponsored visa to accommodate, but getting a flight and my gear out there is becoming increasingly difficult. It has been determined that NOT having to check a whole ski bag stuffed to the brim with two pairs of skis, a couple logs of Copenhagen and all the other bs would make flying significantly cheaper and less of a hassle. And apparently buying ski gear out there is far more expensive than in North America, hence why I'm trying so hard to bring all my own necessary hard gear.

I've done a good bit of surface level research into shopping options, baggage fees and transferring multiple airlines, but does any have some input or opinions from experience that could make this less painless?

- just a ski bum tryna ski all year. thanks
May 3 2022 10:52PM
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toebutterboy
Posts: 2 - Karma: 17
That being said, any other random suggestions for an inverted winter in Australia are cool too
May 3 2022 10:56PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4712 - Karma: 16,569
Checking your ski bag shouldn't be a big deal unless it's overweight. What skis are you planning to take?
May 3 2022 11:30PM
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toebutterboy
Posts: 2 - Karma: 17
mystery3Checking your ski bag shouldn't be a big deal unless it's overweight. What skis are you planning to take?

CT 3s with pivot 18s and Dictator 2s with pivot 18s and casts, but that isn’t the thing. The cheapest flights change airlines and don’t facilitate checked baggage transfers. Thus requiring you to self transfer baggage across airlines, pay multiple fees and exit and re-enter security checkpoints at all the different transfers. And there are multiple layovers that are under an hour and could get sketchy with time if I took that route. And the tickets that have transferring baggage lines are a good $500-$600 more. So…
May 4 2022 12:02AM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4712 - Karma: 16,569
toebutterboyCT 3s with pivot 18s and Dictator 2s with pivot 18s and casts, but that isn’t the thing. The cheapest flights change airlines and don’t facilitate checked baggage transfers. Thus requiring you to self transfer baggage across airlines, pay multiple fees and exit and re-enter security checkpoints at all the different transfers. And there are multiple layovers that are under an hour and could get sketchy with time if I took that route. And the tickets that have transferring baggage lines are a good $500-$600 more. So…


Interesting, where are you flying from? Also you may want to take a narrower low tide type ski...I've never skied down under but from what I know the snow is usually marginal at best.
May 4 2022 12:21AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51496 - Karma: 160,743
It's not that hard. Well i wasn't able to get a sponsored visa for this year but whatever.

Have a good bag. An actual travel bag not just some thin no space ski bag to bring on a school trip or something.

I usually bring an extra board with me. I get bringing an extra set of skis could run your weight up.

If possible It's great if you can for everything for your trip in the ski bag and a small backpack. Sometimes it's tough. Going for a long trip and having ski gear takes up room and weight.

It's noce to weogh your bag before the airport to have some idea where you sit. Worst case ontario can always put some heavy shit in your cary on or wear things. Ive flown with snowboard boots strapped to my backpack before.

Def bring decent skis and bindings. Ski gear is fucking expensive in NZ/Aus.

As far as transfering flights that could be tricky depending on size and weight of baggage. Def have an idea of where your need to go, how to make any transfers and busses happen. See how close you can get to the resort. From a certain point they might be down to pick you up/may already be picking people up.

I've bussed around a decent amount with my gear snd done fine. It's a hassle but its not too bad. Once you're there you don't need to worry about everything. If you want to do some shit after the season, see if you can leave the ski gear with someone and then grab it before you fly out.

Def check before you book flights and make sure they allow ski gear. Other than that good luck. Have fun!!! I'm bummed I'm not going back but I'm going to hood again so not too bad.
May 4 2022 12:35AM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12481 - Karma: 115,623
toebutterboyCT 3s with pivot 18s and Dictator 2s with pivot 18s and casts, but that isn’t the thing. The cheapest flights change airlines and don’t facilitate checked baggage transfers. Thus requiring you to self transfer baggage across airlines, pay multiple fees and exit and re-enter security checkpoints at all the different transfers. And there are multiple layovers that are under an hour and could get sketchy with time if I took that route. And the tickets that have transferring baggage lines are a good $500-$600 more. So…


Theres this one simple trick i do that airlines hate me for. Its called not being lazy and recheck your bags. Give it a try princess

**This post was edited on May 4th 2022 at 2:26:34am
May 4 2022 2:24AM
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Anlepp
Posts: 15 - Karma: 130
I think something around the 90 mm width is probably ideal for aus. Actual powder snow almost never happens here haha.

My experience of doing the opposite and flying out of australia to ski during northern hemisphere winter is that most airlines will not charge extra for oversize bags containing skis.

Baggage transfers have always been taken care of except when I went to Canada and had a stopover at LAX. Then I had to manually transfer my luggage which was kind of confusing at the time but not too hard in the end.
May 4 2022 3:19AM
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