Why choose ski and snowboard racks?

Ski racks keep vehicle interiors clean and uncluttered, giving you more room for passengers and cargo. Most importantly, ski and snowboard racks are much safer than carrying gear inside the cabin. Skis and snowboards have sharp edges that can be extremely dangerous in the event of a car accident.

Compared to ski boxes, ski and snowboard racks are lower profile and less expensive. They are a popular option for occasional use, or for people who have no room to store a full size ski box.

We hope this guide will help you find the right ski and snowboard for your needs. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Types of Ski and Snowboard Racks

There are a few different styles of ski and snowboards racks:

• Crossbar mounted ski racks for vehicles with existing factory or aftermarket roof rack crossbars.
• Hitch mounted ski racks for use on compatible hanging style hitch bike racks.

Crossbar Mounted Ski and Snowboard Racks

Crossbar mounted ski and snowboard racks are simple and easy to use. After attaching a pair of racks to your crossbars, place your skis or boards on to the rubber platform, clamp down the rack, and lock it. Skis and boards lock into the rack, and the rack itself locks to the crossbars.

How many skis or snowboard do you need to carry?

Ski and snowboard racks can be purchased in two sizes: one larger size to fit up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards and another smaller size to fit up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards. Due to varying widths of skis and snowboards, the recommended capacity of each model is a guide only. In practice, we sell many more large ski racks than small ski racks because the price difference is minimal.

For carrying 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards, the most popular options are the Yakima Fat Cat 6 Evo, Thule SnowPack 6, or Thule Snowpack Extender. All of these ski and snowboard carriers have wide bases to fit modern fat skis and snowboards. All include universal mounting hardware so that they can be fit to round, square, aerodynamic and factory bars.

If you only need to carry up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards the most popular options are the Yakima Fat Cat Evo 4 or the Thule SnowPack 4. These carriers also have universal mounting hardware so that they can be attached to round, square, aerodynamic, and factory bars. Small ski racks are best for fitting next to a roof top cargo box or other accessory, but if you have excess room you are always best off sizing up.

How do crossbar mounted ski racks fit my vehicle?

Most roof mount ski and snowboard carriers are designed with universal mounting hardware that can fit securely around most crossbar systems including round, square, aerodynamic, and factory bars. Some newer styles of ski racks are compatible with T-slots on top of aerodynamic crossbars for flush mounting. Essentially, if you have a set of crossbars on your vehicle you can mount a ski or snowboard carrier on to it.

If you don't have a set of crossbars installed on your vehicle, check out our roof racks.

Ski and Snowboard Rack Comparison Chart

Below is a chart which provides an overview of our selection of roof mounted ski and snowboard racks. The chart is sorted by the total usable space starting from the most usable space and ending with the least usable space. Choosing a ski/snowboard rack with more usable space will allow you to carry more skis or snowboards. The total usable space is especially important if you will be carrying wide powder skis. We have also included information about the type of mounting hardware that is included, the approximate number of skis/snowboards each rack will carry, how the rack locks, and what colors each rack is available in.

Hitch Mounted Ski and Snowboard Racks

Besides mounting your skis and snowboards onto the roof of your car, you can also mount them onto your hitch. Doing so requires that you first install a hitch mounted bike rack. Skis and boards are held vertically in locking, rubberized clamps.

Compared to roof mounted racks, skis and snowboards carried in hitch mounted racks tends to get very dirty. This makes hitch mounted racks a less popular option in general than roof racks, and they exist primarily as an option for vehicles with no roof mounts available.

The Yakima HitchSki can carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards and will fit nicely onto Yakima brand hanging style hitch bike racks for 4 or 5 bikes.

The Thule 9033 Tram will also fit 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. The 9033 Tram works with Thule's steel hitch bike racks. The Thule 963PRO Spare Me Pro spare tire mounted bike rack is also compatible with the 9033 Tram, creating a unique fit option for vehicles like the Toyota Rav 4 or Jeep Wrangler with rear door mounted spare tires.

The Yakima HitchSki and Thule 9033 Tram are not compatible with aluminum hitch bike racks. The ski and snowboard capacity of hitch mounted racks varies depending on the class of hitch on the vehicle. Check the individual product instructions or contact us if you have any questions about fitment to your specific rack.