How to Travel to Europe With Your Cross-Country Skis

Italy's Passo Lavaze trails above Cavalese offer skiers stunning views of the Dolomites in all directions

Dreaming of skiing the pristine trails of Scandinavia, staying in quiet mountain villages or lining up for your first Worldloppet race in the Alps this winter? One of the most common questions we hear from guests preparing for their first international ski trip is: “How do I travel with my cross-country skis?”

Transporting skis might seem like a daunting challenge, but with the right preparation, traveling with your equipment can be easy. Here is our best travel advice for flying, taking trains and navigating European streets with your cross-country skis.

Packing your skis and poles

Sportubes are a great asset for protecting your skis – and any extra gear you can fit inside

There are ways to make your travels easier before you even leave for the airport. A good quality ski bag will allow you to transport your gear safely no matter where your travels take you. About 50% of Lumi guests arrive with skis in a soft bag. The other half arrive with skis in a hard rolling Sportube case. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Soft-sided bags are lightweight and easier to carry, but don’t provide quite as much protection as rollable hard-sided cases do. Wheels on a ski bag are really helpful for navigating airports and train stations, but they do add a little extra weight.

Investing in a bag or case that can hold a few pairs of skis may be a good idea if you plan to bring more than one pair with you, or if a friend or family member would like to join. To better protect your skis during your travels, we recommend wrapping your skis and bindings in bulky clothing. We also recommend putting your poles in a hard pole tube. If that’s not an option, strapping your poles securely to the sides of your skis will give them a little more protection, particularly fragile carbon poles that break easily. 

Remember: if one of your bags gets lost or delayed in transit, it will most likely be your bulky ski bag. Because of this, we recommend keeping your most important travel essentials with you in your carry-on, your middle-level supplies in your checked bag and the things you can travel without for a few days in your ski bag, just in case of delayed baggage. For this reason, we often recommend bringing your boots and one pair of ski clothes with you in your carry-on or checked bag. You can typically rent skis and poles if needed for a few days, but it’s nice to have your own boots to avoid blisters from rentals.

Enjoy the flat and gently rolling trails in Seefeld, Austria

Navigating the Airport and Flying

Plan to arrive at the airport a little earlier than usual to give yourself extra time to check-in. Oversized luggage often must be dropped off in a special area away from the usual check-in counter. Fees and weight requirements vary by airline, but most have a standard limit of 50 pounds per bag, even for oversized luggage. Be sure to check with your airline before flying to avoid any surprises.

Upon arrival at your destination, your ski bags will typically be delivered to a dedicated oversize luggage area nearby to the main baggage claim zone. This adds a little extra time and potential stress as you may need to look for your luggage in multiple areas. Fortunately, most major European airports, especially those where many Lumi trips begin in Munich, Oslo or Stockholm, are accustomed to handling ski bags.

Riding European Trains 

Trains in Switzerland are famously on time and offer trailside stops for quick returns to your hotel

Most Lumi trips pick up guests directly at the airport and offer another pick-up at a centrally located hotel in the city where the trip starts. However, many Lumi guests prefer to arrive a couple of days early to recover from jetlag and explore the city before the trip starts. These guests typically take a train or taxi from the airport to their pre-trip accommodations.

Europe’s extensive rail network is one of the most scenic and efficient ways to travel between destinations. However, navigating bustling train stations with a long ski bag is a little cumbersome. Traveling in trains with skis is common throughout Europe which means other travelers will likely give you space – or even offer to hold a door for you. When in doubt, always aim for the elevator on your way to your train.

Purchasing tickets ahead of your trip is not typically required for European train lines. Simply arrive at the station and look for ticket machines near the platform or in the entrance hall. English translations are almost always an option. Destinations are searchable and fares are calculated automatically. If you’re uncertain, there are also staffed ticket counters at most large train stations that can help you purchase your ticket. Conductors on board will check your ticket, so keep it accessible during your journey. There is typically no additional cost for your ski bags on trains.

Even the public transportation for the Marcialonga Story event is historic

European trains are typically spacious, with ample space to either store your ski bags or carry your equipment on the way to the trails

Most European trains have ample space to store your luggage and ski bags during your ride. Some even have dedicated areas to store large luggage to avoid blocking aisles or overhead bins. Wherever you store your luggage, be sure to sit nearby so you can keep an eye on it. Keep in mind that train stops can be brief, sometimes just a minute or two. Arrive at the platform before the train arrives so you can board quickly, and prepare to depart before you arrive at your destination. Gather your things and wait near the doors to make a smooth exit. Some trains have buttons that must be pressed to open the doors; watch what other passengers do to be sure, or ask a conductor if you need extra assistance.

Taxis and Rental Cars 

Taxis are a popular option for transferring to your hotel after your flight

Once you arrive at your destination airport or train station, you may need a taxi to reach your hotel. Fortunately, in most ski communities there are ample taxi options available that are able to accommodate ski bags. Large vans will have space inside, while smaller vehicles may need to put down a seat to accommodate your skis. When calling a cab, remember to request a larger vehicle or mention you have skis so they send an appropriate vehicle. Your hotel can usually assist with these requests easily as well.

Similarly, rental cars in Europe are often compact vehicles suitable for navigating narrow village streets, not hauling multiple pairs of skis. You may need to upgrade your rental when traveling abroad, particularly if you have a group. Trunk space fills up quickly in a compact vehicle, even if it is rated for four or more passengers.

Many trails are within walking distance from your hotel

Let Lumi Handle the Logistics

Does coordinating train connections, taxis and hotels near the trails sound like a bit too much work for a vacation? When you join a Lumi trip, we take the stress out of the logistics. Our local, expert trip leaders handle the ground transportation during your trip, daily ski waxing, trail passes, meal reservations and other logistics so you can simply ski and relax with your travel companions. 

Downtown Lillehammer, like most Lumi destinations, is within easy walking distance of your hotel

Space is filling up quickly on many of our 2027 trips. If reaching Worldloppet Master is on your bucket list, there is still limited space on our Marcialonga & Konig Ludwig Lauf and Finlandia & Tartu trips, both of which have the opportunity to participate in Worldloppet events on back-to-back weekends. For those who’d rather ski at their own pace, join a Lumi Sight-Skiing Trip to Slovenia & Italy or Oslo and Lillehammer in Norway, where stunning scenery and abundant trails await. Reach out to reservations@lumiexperiences.com to secure your spot or to request a detailed daily itinerary.

See you on the trail,
Garrott Kuzzy 
Founder & Olympian, Lumi Experiences

Take part in Iceland's Fossavatn event, the final Worldloppet event of the season