Best Ski Car Rack Reviews 2023

Depending on how many pairs of skis or snowboards the car rack can accommodate, you will find a high-quality one at prices between $150 and $250-$300 for a higher-end model. Other factors which influence the price include the materials from which the rack is made and also where it can be installed on your car (rooftop or back).

For example, if you go for a rack which can easily accommodate six pairs of fat skis or four snowboards and comes with universal mounting hardware, you will eventually pay a higher price than if you opt for a smaller car rack which only holds two pairs of skis. In any case, try to stay away from cheap ski car racks, usually priced below $100, because these are not made from durable materials and might not even hold your skis firmly into place. You don’t want to lose your skis on your way to the ski resort, do you?

We would have loved to spice up this section and tell you more about the features of ski car racks, but these accessories are pretty simple and straightforward. Here is what you need to keep in mind when buying ski car racks:

• Capacity - As mentioned below, racks can hold from two to six pairs of skis as well as two or four snowboards at once
• Materials - Most ski car racks are made from aluminum, and they incorporate soft, rubbery elements which come in contact with the skis or snowboards and hold them in place
• Mounting Position - The majority of ski racks can be placed on top of your car, installed on the existing factory rails. But if your vehicle doesn’t have such rails, you can go for a rack which attaches to the back of your car
• Accessories - Each rack contains keys, locks, and other accessories which are useful when transporting skis, so make sure you keep an eye on this as well

The first thing you need to do is to find out how many skis or snowboards you want to transport on a regular basis. If it is just you and your significant other, you don’t need the biggest rack out there. But if you have kids and they also ski, you might need a more accommodating ski car rack to hold multiple ski pairs.

Most ski car racks are quite similar one to the other, and they are easy to operate too. These accessories come with oversized buttons so that you can get your skis or fix them in place even if you have gloves. The package also includes locks and keys so that no one steals your skis while you are wandering around, scanning the area for a good ski slope.

If you go for a regular ski rack, it usually comes with a support base which attaches to your car's factory rails. On top of this bar, you add a second set of bars which are responsible for holding your skis into place. This is the mechanism which can be locked to secure your beloved winter gear. There are also racks which don’t need the support base as they attach directly to the factory rails of your vehicle. However, such products are rare.

If you go for a rack which attaches to the back of your car, this usually connects to the hitch your vehicle already has. The mechanism will keep your skis and snowboards upright, and the biggest advantage is that you can still open the trunk of your car with this system in place. You might need to be a little careful when backing your vehicle up or driving under low bridges, but that’s another story. When it comes to materials, most racks incorporate steel and aluminum elements which make them both durable and lightweight.

Today's ski car racks usually come with universal mounting hardware, so they are compatible with most vehicle models. They are also backed up by warranty periods of several years, so you are covered in case something goes wrong. By the way, if you are not a DIY type of person then don’t worry as certain ski racks come with an expert assembly service which basically means that a trained professional will come to you to install the rack for you for a small fee. Go for this service if you want to be absolutely sure that your rack is safely installed. This will give you more peace of mind when departing to your favorite ski resort!