Best Ski Racks and Roof Boxes for Transporting Skis & Snowboards

The simpler of the two external ski storage devices for your vehicle are known as racks. They will almost always attach to the roof of your car or on top of your truck bed. To mount racks on a car or truck, the vehicle needs to first have rails or a frame installed so that the racks have a sturdy anchor point.

Some vehicles come from the factory with rails installed already, this is especially common in 4WD/AWD vehicles from manufacturers like Toyota and Subaru. It’s definitely worth noting that all racks aren’t created equally. Some are designed solely for skis, some only hold snowboards, and certain models can handle both. Just make sure to do your homework before shelling out cash for something that isn’t compatible with your current set up.

Ski and snowboard racks are generally cheaper than cargo boxes by a significant amount, but exactly how much depends on the brand and style of the rack. This isn’t really a surprise considering that racks leave your skis and boards exposed to the elements, whereas cargo boxes keep everything safe and sound.

Top Ski & Snowboard Racks For Safely Getting Gear to the Mountain

Shopping for a ski rack can be mindboggling at times, considering how many different quality makes and models are out there. If you are in the market for a new ski rack, start by taking a look at these three top-tier choices.

Kuat Grip Ski Rack

Kuat racks are known for their quality and reasonable price point. They are also the kings of incorporating new and useful technology into their products like the GRIP and FLIP system on this rack. The coolest part of this rack is the slide-out design that makes loading and unloading the racks easier than ever. No more climbing on top of your vehicle, just unlock the rack and slide the entire frame out. Even better it comes in multiple sizes. The GRIP 4 can hold 4 sets of large skis or 2 snowboards, and the 6X can fit 6 sets of skis or 4 snowboards.

Another rack from Kuat we dig for the winter months is the Kuat Switch 4 Rack.

Thule SnowPack Ski Rack

Thule has been around for more than 75 years, so you know they make a quality ski rack. It comes equipped with an oversized push button to open the rack, making it easy to operate even with thick gloves on. The arms of the rack are coated in a soft rubber which helps grip better without scratching or damaging the topsheets.

Yakima FatCat EVO

Despite being named the FatCat, these racks are super sleek and streamlined. This aerodynamic design makes them virtually silent as you ride down the highway. Like the Grip from Kuat, the FatCat comes in two different sizes – the EVO 4 and EVO 6. The EVO 4 can fit 4 pairs of skis or 2 boards and the EVO 6 can hold 6 pairs of skis or 4 boards.

Rhino-Rack Rhino Kit SX100 + VA106B 2-Bar

If there ever was a company whose ski racks were considered a worthy investment, Rhino-Rack would be that company. This particular Rhino Kit is specifically designed for roofs that already have rails (frame) preinstalled.

Cargo Boxes

Cargo boxes are another very popular accessory for transporting skis and snowboards. They are a type of ski rack that have the added benefit of protecting your gear as well. This is because they are designed to enclose your skis and snowboards, keeping them snug and secure from your house to the mountain.

Installing cargo boxes on your vehicle is very similar to installing racks. Your vehicle also needs a frame that the box can be attached to.

Skis and boards can take some serious damage on the way to the mountain, especially if your route involves highway driving. Semis and other vehicles are notorious for picking up rocks and slinging them around at high speeds. This can lead to anything from broken bindings, delaminated top sheets, or blown-out edges.

As we mentioned earlier, cargo boxes can be significantly pricier than racks, but considering how much a new pair of skis costs, they are well worth the investment.

Rhino-Rack Zenith Cargo Box 400L

Rhino-Rack is also known for their top-tier cargo boxes, which are made just as well as their traditional roof racks. The Zenith combines a sleek design with a large enough volume to hold all of your ski gear at once, freeing up more room inside your vehicle than you ever thought possible. Since it is a cargo box, you will need to purchase the kit or bars separately.

To learn more about what makes this one of the best cargo boxes for skis check out our Rhino-Rack Zenith Rack Review. 

Reasons To Buy Ski Racks

There is a reason that ski racks are such a common sight in the snowiest states, frankly they just make life a little easier, freeing up more time for you to enjoy your day on the mountain.

Free Up Space

If you aren’t careful, your car will overflow with ski gear before you know it. Between base layers, outerwear, helmets, goggles, boots, and poles, sometimes there isn’t much room left to fit your skis.

Jam packing your vehicle full of equipment makes for an uncomfortable drive, not to mention it can lead to unnecessary damage to your sticks and boards. Freeing up some space means you can invite more of your buddies along for a day of shredding.

Driving Safety

Having ample room within your car isn’t just a matter of comfort, it means a safer adventure to the mountain and back. Ski traffic can become extremely erratic, and if your heavy gear starts bouncing around it probably won’t end well.  Do yourself and everyone else on the road a solid and add some extra storage space to your car or truck.

Avoid Damage To Interior Of Vehicle

Investing in ski racks is another way to invest in the longevity of your car’s interior. Sure it’s easy to just toss everything into the back of a large SUV, but over time you will start to notice some damage to the upholstery.

Ski edges and bindings are notorious for pinching and slicing through cloth and leather with ease, so do yourself a favor and keep the potentially dangerous gear on the outside of the vehicle – your car will thank you later!

Downsides Of Using Ski Racks

Initial Cost

The cost of ski racks is one of the biggest reasons that skiers choose to pass on purchasing them. After all, they aren’t exactly necessary to ski – right? Technically this is true, and their price can fluctuate pretty heavily. On the other hand, some vehicles are just too small to fit everything inside, and at this point, they become a necessity.

Exposure To The Elements

Along with helmets, skis and snowboards are definitely the most important pieces of equipment associated with winter’s best activity – not to mention they come with a hefty price tag. We want to do everything in our power to keep them as safe as possible, but unfortunately, roof racks can open up the possibility for some unwanted damage to occur.

Cargo boxes do a much better job of keeping your gear in pristine condition, but they aren’t invincible. A rock traveling in the wrong direction at a high rate of speed has the potential to some damage regardless of the type of rack you choose.

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