The case for having your own skis has already been covered here elsewhere (probably in the Swiss and Austria skiing threads) and it is not related to airline travel, where it makes a lot less sense due to the ripoff airline costs and related hassle.
I can well believe Swiss carry skis for free (but where do they fly to/from and how much??) but also BA (a.k.a. Air Berlin) will carry luggage under 1.9m for about 30 quid without engaging in the Great Ripoff of calling it “winter sports equipment”. Ryanair is the greatest con with 80 quid for skis.
The point about carrying your own ski bag when flying GA is that
I have skis but no longer take them with me. Renting is easier unless you are skiing a lot. Boots on the other hand I own and wouldn’t rent.
There is no absolute point of view here but I would say you can buy 2016 skis (the 2015 ones have outdated graphics so not acceptable to be seen with) for the cost of rental on say 3 trips.
And if one can make it work with ga travel then you avoid the airline ripoff too.
Today you would also need TKS
LOWS 290820Z 2908/0106 34004KT 6000 SCT008 BKN012 TX07/2913Z TN00/0106Z TEMPO 2908/2910 4000 -RA BR BKN008 BECMG 2910/2912 04006KT 9999 SCT020 BKN040 BECMG 2912/2914 30006KT -RA BKN030 TEMPO 2914/2921 29010KT 6000 SHRA SCT012 BKN020 TEMPO 2921/2924 31008KT 4000 SNRA BKN012 TEMPO 0100/0106 29012KT 3500 -SN BKN010 PROB30 TEMPO 0100/0106 1200 SN VV005
If you have your own skis you also have to consider the servicing (waxing, sharpening) which needs doing. That has a cost and an inconvenience factor. If you rent that is all taken care of. Additionally you always get new skis. Technology DOES progress and 2016 skis are definitely better than 2001 skis. I have used both :)
Why should it be risky to carry skies in a GA aircraft? How is it cheaper to rent skies than just load your own skies into your plane?
Renting the skis is by far better, easier, cheaper and less risky than carrying them in aircraft regardless it’s GA or airliner. That’s the type of the equipment which average recreational user (a week or two a year) definitelly doesn’t need to own it, especially when facing transportation problem.
Swiss does not charge for skis, nor boots.
Based on what I have seen, ski rental will come to the cost of new skis after a few trips.
A couple of exceptions are
I can fully see why many people rent.
How about just taking your shoes and rent a pair of skis. Can’t imagine all the hassle and risk can be worth a few days rent of skis.
some car makers offer a “skisack” that goes throu the rear seat armrest in a car oviously from the rear the sack enters the pax room maybe you could modify such a “sack” and install it so that oncethe armrest is folded down the sack can be “filled” backwards
http://www.rad-ab.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Rad-Ab-Skoda-Winter-Zubehoer-5-1024×745.jpg
