NZSnowboard.com - The home of New Zealand Snowboarding

27th November 2009

So, you are going overseas snowboarding for the first time and you are about to pack your bag with all your new gear. Here are a couple of tips.

Karl Dunham

Firstly, dont bother writing a list; once I forgot my snowboard pants. Another time I forgot to take any shoes, just the slippers I had on.

Always take a minimum away, leaving room for new gear you will get probably get while overseas.  Most important is to never leave the packing until the day you leave; your mates will force you to drink the night before, you will be hung as hell and it will seem impossible to fit it all in.

I tune my boards and check my bindings. Clean, dry out and waterproof my boots and outerwear.

Imagine taking your bag and throwing it down stairs, I think that is basically what baggage handlers do, so you need to keep stuff wedged in tight and protected.
 
I am taking 2 boards, and I put them both inside a Boardsleeve, this will protect the Boardbag from the boards edges which can cut holes in it. You will have way more room if you take the bindings off. I chuck the hardware in Boardbags little pouch with a tool and tranceiver.
 
I put the boots in the internal bag and down the wheels end. The bag will feel lighter with the heavier stuff down near the back wheels and it makes a good seat, especially when you have to wait at S.L.C. for Heath, who forgot, and is two hours late.
 
You can put small fragile things like goggles inside your helmet, bindings or boots.

Then I roll up outerwear and put that in the gap. I put all other loose stuff in the second bag bit. Try to avoid loose items in the main bag. They could fall out in an airport repack. Lastly stuff in your shovel and Samurai Sword.

The zip up is key, with a good bag and another person to help squash it down, you can always get more in, however it is the weight you have to worry about. If you have straps like these, crank them up to help close it. When you have the zip closed, push the zips down to the end or under a strap where there is less pressure on the zip.
 
Now, when you check in, Air NZ is going to try and sting you for about $700 for being overweight. Have a look to see if any of the check in counters dont have a scale or one which is under repair. When you weigh it, to try to make it look lighter, hang it off a bit and push the bag with your leg sideways against the counter, but you have to hold it perfectly still and make it look un-obvious which is near impossible.

And remember it its up to them if they charge you or not, girls, you may need to turn on the waterworks, guys that is never an option. Failing all that, take your boots pouch out and pretend you will carry it on, then put it back in on the way down to the oversize conveyor belt.
 





Good luck,

Karl Dunham