Ski & Snowboarding Images, Videos & Gear

When choosing your ski or snowboard rack, it's imporant to note that not all racks are created equally. There's low-profile, high-rise, low-fi or high-tech, depending on how much you want to spend and how easy they are to install.

If you're looking for the best in the biz, you should check out Yakima and Thule.

Courtesy VW Online

 Starting at the beginning, you need the towers, locks and rails. Often times these are sold separately, resuling in you spending even more money. Thule towers typically get better reviews. But, essentially, the only difference is that Thule bars are square, and Yakima's are round. All those after-market products -- the ski racks, bike towers and rocket boxes -- fit with either, although you probably want to stick with one brand for visual appeal and better integration.

After you build your towers, it's time to add the actual racks themselves. The low-profile Yakima Fatcat 6 is one of the best on the market. It fits six super-sized skis (or four snowboards), and has an integrated lift, allowing you to prop up those high-rise bindings. This rack even comes with integrated locks.

Thule's ski racks are much higher profile. But, if you have factory rails already on your car, you can sling down $230 for the 5401 Snowcat, which straps direct to your rails without the need for a tower. Given that you're likely to spend between $400 to $600 on a complete rack system, this isn't a bad option.

To save some cash, consider the cheaper -- and cheaply made -- Inno Nexess, which runs just 80 bucks. Even cheaper are the foam Riverside Carriers at just $60. And, if all else fails, you can always grab some bungie cords, strap 'em on, and head up the hill.

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