How do you carry skis?

[Aidy P]

I have now spent several days researching the best way to carry ski equipment either in or on a California. There are various threads detailing options and I’m still unsure as to what method is best. I’d like to carry up to 4 sets of skis (and boots and all the clothes). What does everyone else do and what are the Pros and Cons please of your chosen method?

 

[westfalia]

2 sets slid down the side by the kitchen unit and with the bench seat moved forward i can
get another 2 sets in on an angle, without the rear shelf.
Then just wizz everything else in.
The sticks are a bit of a pain, they slide out everywhere when the back door is opened.
We always manage but i think a roof box would be the best.

 

[Aidy P]

2 sets slid down the side by the kitchen unit and with the bench seat moved forward i can
get another 2 sets in on an angle, without the rear shelf.
Then just wizz everything else in.
The sticks are a bit of a pain, they slide out everywhere when the back door is opened.
We always manage but i think a roof box would be the best.

Thanks @westfalia. I take it you don’t have the small extra drawer installed then?

I’m thinking of getting telescopic poles to save space.

 

[Aoife T]

This is a vw bike rack with a nordrive 6 ski rack bolted on ( same ad Thule) it only fits 4 pairs of skis due to the positioning on the bike rack, the poles fit perfectly under the skis in between the bike wheel holders and I strap my essential shovel and brush underneath with cable ties.
The rack still folds up with the ski rack on when you remove the skis, only issue is opening the back door with skis on, it’s doable but very heavy.

 

[Aidy P]

View attachment 28624 View attachment 28642
This is a vw bike rack with a nordrive 6 ski rack bolted on ( same ad Thule) it only fits 4 pairs of skis due to the positioning on the bike rack, the poles fit perfectly under the skis in between the bike wheel holders and I strap my essential shovel and brush underneath with cable ties.
The rack still folds up with the ski rack on when you remove the skis, only issue is opening the back door with skis on, it’s doable but very heavy.

View attachment 28641

A good solution, but my bike rack is a tow ball mounted one. Was it easy to bolt on?

 

[Pete M]

I have a tow bar mount bike rack for 2 reasons, 1 as you say opening the tail gate is a ball ache with it loaded and I also have a roof spoiler so can't have a tail gate mount rack anyway.
The ski adapters are only used on the roof if we're not staying in the van as we sleep in the roof and that makes storing them at the end of each day difficult.
We do carry them inside to the resort in a soft bag so it doesn't wreck the kitchen door but find it a pain to store inside during our stay so the ski adapters on the bike rack will work perfect for us and you can fit under the barrier at the toll stations.
Thanks for posting, I'm off to the garage to tinker.

 

[Glynn]

We have always carried our skis on the roof of the Cali, using Thule roof bars and ski carrier; however, This weekend I have sorted a new solution to carry our skis in readiness for our next trip at Easter.

Purchased cheap roof bars from eBay, cut them down to size and bolted them to the cycle carrier. The new bars do not effect the working of the cycle carrier and therefore can be left permanently attached to the carrier. I then attached my Thule ski carriers to the new bars and then our skis (see attached photographs).

 

[Trev]

View attachment 28624 View attachment 28642
This is a vw bike rack with a nordrive 6 ski rack bolted on ( same ad Thule) it only fits 4 pairs of skis due to the positioning on the bike rack, the poles fit perfectly under the skis in between the bike wheel holders and I strap my essential shovel and brush underneath with cable ties.
The rack still folds up with the ski rack on when you remove the skis, only issue is opening the back door with skis on, it’s doable but very heavy.

View attachment 28641

Hi can I ask how you bolted the ski carrier on please? Drill the bike rack or just large u bolt? Many thanks.

 

[Glynn]

Hi, I drilled the bike rack. 3 neat holes on each side. If I ever remove the additional bars I will plug the holes with rubber plugs. Thanks for your interest.

 

[Trev]

I have now spent several days researching the best way to carry ski equipment either in or on a California. There are various threads detailing options and I’m still unsure as to what method is best. I’d like to carry up to 4 sets of skis (and boots and all the clothes). What does everyone else do and what are the Pros and Cons please of your chosen method?

Two pairs in a soft bag through the load hatch. Boot bags in the boot. Problem is storage at end of day (If you are camping). We stored our skis and boots at the local ski shop. Made the bus journey from ski lift back to camp much easier.

 

[Trev]

Hi, I drilled the bike rack. 3 neat holes on each side. If I ever remove the additional bars I will plug the holes with rubber plugs. Thanks for your interest.

Thanks Glyn.

 

[Aidy P]

181cm skis in bag just fits between the seats.

 

[Pete M]

View attachment 30119 View attachment 30120 View attachment 30118 We have always carried our skis on the roof of the Cali, using Thule roof bars and ski carrier; however, This weekend I have sorted a new solution to carry our skis in readiness for our next trip at Easter.

Purchased cheap roof bars from eBay, cut them down to size and bolted them to the cycle carrier. The new bars do not effect the working of the cycle carrier and therefore can be left permanently attached to the carrier. I then attached my Thule ski carriers to the new bars and then our skis (see attached photographs).

Very cool.

 

[panadero]

I buyed two secondhand BMW roof-carriers and bolted them on the bike-rack. Works very well!

 

[Brian’s Dad]

My skis are 183cm - I always thought they'd be too long to go on a rack - it looks like they'll be fine!

 

[panadero]

Our longest are the Heads (175 cm) and I just can see a few centimeters of both ends in the side-mirrors.
I think 183 cm will be fine too.

 

[Brian’s Dad]

Our longest are the Heads (175 cm) and I just can see a few centimeters of both ends in the side-mirrors.
I think 183 cm will be fine too.

Do they flex much in the turbulent wind off the back?

 

[panadero]

No flex at all, it looks "stiff and steady" on the Autobahn

 

[Michael G]

I always have a roofbox, it is big enough for the familys snowboards, skiis, cross country skiis and plastic sleds, keeps the beer cold too. I stand on the rear wheel to load and unload.

 

[Pete M]

Do they flex much in the turbulent wind off the back?

If they flexed at all over the short amount that isn't secured I for one wouldn't clip into them and drop in

 

[Petrildo]

I mounted the Thule SnowPack directly on the bike rack. Didn’t need to drill the bike carrier as the M6 round-head screws fit perfectly into the groove of the bike wheel holders. I did need to drill 6mm holes on the Thule as can be seen on the second photo. The bike carrier can be opened normally and I can also transport bikes and kiteboards simultaneously.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Ok, resurrecting this thread. I have a 7 seat Beach. We usually travel (7 of us) to the Alps with the skis stacked in the middle between the first and second row. Doable, but I'm wondering for this year, can we just strap the skis in their individual ski bags to the unfolded rear hatch mounted bike rack? Octopus stretch cords to hold them down, taking care not to go over the 60 kilo weight limit for the bike rack (Fiamma T5 Pro 4 bike)? Obviously no theft protection, but it's a one day trip.

 

[Emil Silenhag]

In the winter I always remove the big slider storage box underneath the bench ( to small screws inside the box locks it to the rails), and also the black box with the jack. Plenty of room for at least four par of alpine skis (free rider skis). We store it outside the vehicle at night. That’s okay here in Norway...

 

[clarinetbcn]

In the winter I always remove the big slider storage box underneath the bench ( to small screws inside the box locks it to the rails), and also the black box with the jack. Plenty of room for at least four par of alpine skis (free rider skis). We store it outside the vehicle at night. That’s okay here in Norway...

I have a 3 seat bench Beach, so three small removable trays under the seat. A couple of skis do fit under the middle row, not the outer seats because of second row seats, but we're talking about 7 skis with 7 guys, so foot room is a consideration.

Edit: just a reminder of my post above:
Ok, resurrecting this thread. I have a 7 seat Beach. We usually travel (7 of us) to the Alps with the skis stacked in the middle between the first and second row. Doable, but I'm wondering for this year, can we just strap the skis in their individual ski bags to the unfolded rear hatch mounted bike rack? Octopus stretch cords to hold them down, taking care not to go over the 60 kilo weight limit for the bike rack (Fiamma T5 Pro 4 bike)? Obviously no theft protection, but it's a one day trip.

 

[andrejab1]

In a storage bag in the back. Driving is possible with 4 people on board as well, just not as comfortable.
For overnight stays we just put the bag under the Cali.