“Is it really so hard to carry skis?” a reader asked last season in a comment at Brave Ski Mom. “Throw them over your shoulder,” he added. “If you can balance them right, you don’t even need hands.”
The occasion was a post reviewing a product called Quickpoles. Quickpoles are ski poles that can click into your binding, thus creating a handle (for the Quickpoles review, click here). All together, 22 readers commented on this post. Most of them where moms who really like the idea of a product that helps them carry skis. Why? Because, as many parents realize, when you’re skiing with children, you’re often carrying their gear and your gear.
This season, I’ve got two more ski carry products to review. We’ll start off with Ski-Lash and Ski-Lash Junior. If you like what you read, Ski-Lash has generously donated two ski carriers as a giveaway. To enter, simply comment below.
The second product is the PortaSki. A review of the PortaSki will be posted on Friday.
Lash Your Skis and Poles Together
The Ski-Lash is a very simple product – nylon webbing straps, plastic loops, Velcro and a padded handle. The Ski-Lash Junior is for children’s skis under 120 cm. The standard size Ski Lash is for everyone else.
Here’s how the Ski-Lash works:
Place a Ski Lash upside down on the ground or floor. Open the straps up completely. Place your skis on poles on top of the Ski Lash. Center the Ski Lash between the bindings and center your poles along the length of the skis. Fasten the straps. Flip the skis over. Pick up the skis using the Ski Lash handle. Easy-peasy, you’re good to go.
The Junior product works exactly the same way. Since no one in my house skis on 120 cm skis or shorter, I asked my friend Jack for his opinion about the product. “I like it,” he told me as he zoomed in circles around his driveway carrying his skis and poles. “It is easy to carry.”
I also asked his mom to try the Ski Lash. She didn’t like it quite as well, because we didn’t get her skis centered properly and the tips kept tipping toward the ground in front of her. Once we get the skis and poles centered, the Ski Lash worked much better.
She tried carrying both her gear and Jack’s in one hand. She could do it, but thought is was kind of difficult and a bit awkward. She liked carrying one set of skis and poles in each hand much better.
As with any tool or gadget, figuring out what to do with the Ski Lash when you’re not using it is always a question. The Ski Lash packaging shows the carrier neatly and tightly folded small enough to fit into a pocket. “Yea, right,” I thought to myself. But sure enough, if you turn the Ski Lash upside down and roll the looped ends toward the middle, you can slip one loop inside the other and voilà! A nifty little bundle.
Upsides:
The Ski Lash is lightweight, inexpensive (<$20) and super-easy to use.
Kids can easily carry their own gear. And when folded up, the Ski Lash Junior is small enough to fit in a child’s coat pocket. Parents carrying phones, cameras and snacks may have more challenges finding room in their pockets.
The handle is really comfortable. It’s sufficiently padded to prevent the straps from cutting into your hands. Of course, chances are you’ll be wearing ski mittens or gloves when using the Ski-Lash. Have no fear, there is plenty of room to grab the handle, even with bulky mittens.
It is possible to carry up to two pairs of skis and poles (using two Ski Lashes) in one hand. More than that may require bigger hands!
Downsides:
Even though it folds up small, you still have to figure out where to put it when you’re not using it and then remember where you put it, so you don’t loose it. When you carry your gear with your hands alone, there are no storage or loss issues.
A Pretty Nifty Product
All-in-all, I think the Ski Lash is a pretty nifty product for families. It makes it much easier for kids to carry their own gear. Even if a parent ends up toting the skis, one person can carry all the skis and poles for one family of four. And, if you leave the skis and poles bundled together when you get home, simply grab and go the next time you ski.
Ski Lash Giveaway
To win two Ski Lashes of your choosing, simply leave a comment below. One winner will be chosen in a random drawing on Tuesday, December 4 at 8:00 a.m. mountain time.
For a second entry, “like” Ski Lash on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
Good luck!
To facilitate this post, I received one Ski Lash and one Ski Lash Junior to test and review. My friend Jack and his mom are going to use them (a lot!) this season. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Sarah!
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Kellie says
These amazing little inventions are just awesome!!
braveskimom says
Aren’t they? This one is great because it’s inexpensive and not bulky! (see also: stocking stuffer) Thanks!
Robin says
Looks like a great product for my family. I am going to wait for your review of the other one on Friday and than make my purchase. Thank you!
braveskimom says
Good idea! There truly is something for everyone out there! Thanks.
Tara says
I would do just about anything to have my kids carry their own equipment! Last season we all got boot/helmet backpacks that they carry themselves. 🙂 Now the kids will NEED the Ski Lash Jr.so they can carry their own skis & poles, too!
braveskimom says
That’s a good combo! I love backpacks…and you’re right with Ski Lash, they can carry it all! Problem solved!
Amy says
I remember my first year skiing with the kiddos. They were 2 and 4 years old. One day,I stayed with our girls on the bunny hill while my husband headed for the fresh powder. The girls were done well before my husband finished, so we tried to head to the lodge. I tried juggling all of our skis and my screaming 2 year old. Not a pretty sight. Since then, we’ve been using a sled to haul the skis. I love the idea of a small, simple tool to carry skis. We’ve tried ones that hang over your shoulder, but they require a bit of balance that kids don’t have. Thanks for the review.
braveskimom says
That’s a story that a lot of moms can understand! Yikes. I agree with you: shoulder carriers are much more difficult for kids. Good luck!
Sarah says
THese look great! I always struggle carrying my skis and seem to always drop a pole.
braveskimom says
Sounds like a good reason to try Ski Lash! Good luck!
amelia says
I am HORRIBLE at carrying my skis! Embarassingly (for the husband) so… 😉 Would love something to make it all easier (because I carry screaming kids too! ;)) Thanks!
braveskimom says
Here’s a comment I got in my email from David Owen, the creator of Ski Lash. If you have questions about positioning the Ski Lash on your skis, this information should help!
Thank you for the review.
I did notice, however, that in one of the pictures, you have the Ski-Lash mounted a little far back on the skis, which would explain why the ski tips are pointed down. We reccomend that the Ski-Lash be mounted as close to the toe binding as possible, which should balance the skis perfectly. In any event, it was a great review and I look forward to reading your next post.
Best regards
Dave Owen