Packing Skis, avoiding damage.

I was going to ask Bandit a question in another thread but didn't want to hijack page so thought i'd start this one.

bandit wrote:
I took a ski bag with skis as my only bag, and did not pay an extra charge. It was weighed at check in. My brand new skis were damaged in transit with BA. Repairs subsequently carried out to tails with Epoxy Resin. :(

I know its been debated before but i would like to ask bandit on this occasion how this happened?
Personally i wrap the tips and tails of my skis in bubble wrap and tape them up with parcel tape. before wrapping clothes around the bindings. I haven't had an issue yet.

I was thinking why there isn't some kind of protective device available, something like a tough foam sock that can be stretched over the tips/tails to protect these vulnerable areas.

You can get solid plastic hard cases that would offer a lot more protection

OldAndy wrote:You can get solid plastic hard cases that would offer a lot more protection

I know about the sportubes but the thing with those is that you can cram clothes and boots in them too. They are also expensive.
Bags seem to be the most popular but i am sure i could develop some protective device that would increase protection.

Get a sport tube, not cheap but it will last for years.

http://www.snowandrock.com/sportube-single-ski/ski-bags/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/6094

If you want convincing just watch them load skis onto a trolley a the airport!

Have you ever seen those vacuum bags - where you put clothes in and then suck out the air to make something smaller and slightly rigid?
Wonder if you could use something like this?
Tips and tails with some protection - even socks and then firm it up with the bag?

Or ......
For tip and tail you could find some plastic buckets, bottles or whatever that would slide over the ski and then tape them in position.

Or even custom make something with fibreglass?????????

my friend puts small ice cream tubs over each end of the skis inside the case then pads them with socks etc...
apparently it works

If the skis can't stand a trip in an aircraft in a bag they wont stand much wear on the slopes!...Just make sure any bag you have is easily recognisable as yours as there are many bags of the same make about and at busy airports people can pick up the wrong bag...I know.... it happened to me

daved wrote:If the skis can't stand a trip in an aircraft in a bag they wont stand much wear on the slopes!...Just make sure any bag you have is easily recognisable as yours as there are many bags of the same make about and at busy airports people can pick up the wrong bag...I know.... it happened to me

For most of us, there nothing on the mountain that is the equivalent of skis being dropped several metres onto concrete from a cargo hatch -)