I have always been one to take my own gear when heading out West. However this year with most airlines charging for bags I figured it was going to cost about $200 in extra fees to get mine and my wife's sticks out West. Doing research I found I could rent in Truckee ( I am going to Squaw) for a less than $200. Pretty sure I can cram 3 days of ski gear in my carry on roller bag and backpack.

It seems like a good deal. Any thing I might be missing.

Helmet will be an issue, but given the state of air travel today, I might just wear it on the plane!!

Boots?

Tahoe Dave's had a pretty good selection of gear. There is one near the entrance to Squaw and I another in Tahoe City. www.tahoedaves.com/

I would also check with UPS & FedEx. You can ship your gear and either they will hold it for you until you call them or check with the hotel and they might accept the package prior to your arrival. It also appears Tahoe Daves will also accept your gear.

When are you going? I'm in the process of doing some trip planning (dreaming), and there's a chance I might be in N. Tahoe on 2/22/10.

+1

I prefer to have my own gear. But if I had to compromise I would rent skis and poles, but take my own boots. IMHO.

You can rent pretty much any kind of ski you want. As long as the tune is good, ski X is ski X. But you can't necessarily rent boots that fit correctly and are comfortable.

If you do decide to rent anything, I would also second the Tahoe Dave's suggestion. They have a nice selection and you can pick up/return at any of their locations.

If you ship, definitely use Fedex ground it is MUCH cheaper than UPS. I believe I paid less than $30 one way for one set of skis in a http://www.sportube.com/.

In Tahoe, there's the Village Ski Loft in Incline Village. I've shipped my skis there before and they have held them for me.

Or try flying Southwest to Reno. 2 bags free.

Squaw is mind boggling epic.

I have worn my helmet onto the plane once. Not much they can say, unless the airlines are going to tell the ladies they can not carry large hats.
The Colonel

Hey great point Colonel...great way to save space in your carry on.

I am solidly in the camp of shipping them. I have used UPS before and it worked out well. If FEDEX is cheaper so much the better. If you use FEDEX the default is signature required. If you leave that option on, and the someone does not sign they are going back to the fedex location.

I use a double sport tube and it works out well.

Almost all the airlines I fly charge $25 per checked bag, each way. The combination of {ski bag and boot bag} counts the same as one suitcase (that said, I never check boots, only skis). So, figure $25 per person each way, for $100 total round trip. Based on my experience shipping skis, that will probably be about the same.

Shipping is definitely less of a hassle, but you do lose some freedom/flexibility packing your gear the night before -- I always wait to the last minute to decide which skis to bring along on the trip.