Making your first purchase can be difficult when looking for the best ski racks for cars. There are so many choices available on the market that you might even feel overwhelmed. However, all that is truly required to install them is the type of vehicle and the number of skis or boards you intend to carry since they can all be mounted on the same rack. This is why it’s crucial to consider compatibility first before selecting the options that best suit your preferences.
If you are too overwhelmed by the options available, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the top 7 best ski racks for cars.
#1 Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box
The Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box from Yakima is one of the top products on this list. The box, which comes in various sizes (12, 15, 16, 18, and 21 cubic feet), is recommended if you want to safeguard your skis. This is also a great versatile choice if you need to carry different sports gear too. As its name suggests, the Skybox is installed on the roof. The fact that it can be installed on most cars is its best feature. It is simple to place on either round or square crossbars.
This ski and snowboard carrier’s aerodynamic design is one of its major benefits. Of course, it might cause problems with air resistance at greater speeds. But when traveling at slower speeds and driving around town, the design proves to be solid. Its ability to lock is another crucial feature that makes it particularly appealing to skiers. Additionally, it offers a little bit more durability than some of the less expensive ones in its class. The internal lid stiffeners, for example, are a small design feature that demonstrates this.
#2 Rage Powersports Apex SKI-4
This ski rack is composed of durable plastic instead of metal. If you frequently travel through places where road salt is used, plastic might be a great option. A few pairs of skis can be stored here without being scratched. It performs as good as any other rack thanks to its rubberized arms. But given that it only has a 1-year warranty, you shouldn’t count on using this rack your whole life. Because of this, it is suggested as a first purchase but not as a long-term solution. Even if it can be less expensive than the other products, it functions the same and is installed similarly as well.
#3 Yakima HitchSki
People who are active year-round should consider Yakima HitchSki. If you ride a bike in the summer, you can modify it to transport bikes and then switch it back to a carrier for skis and snowboards in the winter. This carrier is hitch-mounted, as its name implies, making it a fantastic option for shorter skiers or those who don’t want to carry their gear on the top portion of their vehicles.
Of course, there are drawbacks. It is important to note that it makes it challenging to access the car’s rear option. However, the rack also has certain distinctive qualities of its own that can make it the best pick for you. Your skis are protected from scrapes by its soft rubberized arms. In addition, it has the same capacity as the biggest roof-mounted racks, holding up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. The rack is beneficial for easy loading and unloading, but you must remember that while you drive, your skis are closer to the ground, which increases the likelihood that your gear may become dirty. It’s definitely a great choice for short drives. If your vehicle already has a hitch receiver installed, this rack is particularly useful.
#4 Inno Racks Gravity Snow Rack
For the modern skier, smaller manufacturers also provide interesting designs. The Inno Racks Gravity Snow Rack is one of the choices that may be taken into account for roof-mounted ski carrying demands and is reasonably priced. With its rubberized arms, which are friendly yet sturdy enough to hold the skis in place, it can hold up to 6 pairs of skis and 4 snowboards.
This ski rack has updated features even if it’s not constructed of premium materials. It has a built-in lock that prevents anybody with bad intentions from accessing your expensive gear. The pricing, the tool-free installation, as well as the handling are the three key reasons for choosing this rack. Given that it has a big push-to-release button, you can easily open and close it while wearing gloves. The rack, manufactured by a company with a history dating back to 1966, is a more cost-effective option than other premium designs.
#5 Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Ski and Snowboard Carrier
One of the most interesting choices if you require a compact roof rack carrier is the Yakima RocketBox Pro 14. It could be a fantastic option for kids learning to ski and can cater to your skis and snowboards that are up to 170 cm long. The box is simple to install and useful for a variety of outdoor gear. The versatility of this product is also noteworthy. Both ends of the RocketBox can be opened. Even if you’re required to park your car in a small space, it provides one of the best solutions in terms of practicality.
The fit supports this versatility as well. It may be installed on factory, round, or square bars, which is why it fits the majority of vehicles.
One of the essential stuff to keep in mind about the RocketBox Pro 14 is that it is incredibly versatile and may be used even after ski season has ended. You will be relieved to learn that no additional racks are required for your summertime camping for this reason. It can switch from a ski rack to a carrier for camping items thanks to its 14 cubic feet of storage space.
#6 Thule Motion XT Rooftop Alpine Cargo Carrier
The Cargo Carrier, which has a 16 cubic foot capacity, is one impressive and interesting option. In addition to being functional, it is perhaps one of the most stylish carriers ever. You can fit 3 to 4 snowboards or 5 to 7 pairs of skis in the carrier, depending on the length of your skis. Up to 215 cm skis can be stored on the rack. Of all the Thule Motion products, it is one of the heavier ones, weighing 55 lbs.
The ski rack is amazing because of its many features. Some of the features, like the sliding locking mechanism, are highly noteworthy. The SlideLock design might be among the greatest when it comes to meeting the needs of experienced skiers because it is among the quickest and most reliable solutions to operate with. Even more noteworthy is that the carrier’s cover can be opened from either side. The PowerClick design makes mounting the rack simply. If you find the rack to be too small, there are other choices in the Motion line that have capacities up to 22 cu-ft, including the Motion XT-XXL.
#7 Thule 612 Hyper Rack
When you go skiing, do you want to easily access your trunk? The 612 Hyper Rack is one of the suggested solutions in that case. In terms of aerodynamics, it is among the greatest choices. It is quite large, with a storage capacity of 17 cu-ft. In addition to its stylish appearance, its functionality is also rather good. You’ll be happy to learn that it also features the DualSide opening design from Thule.
The carrier’s SecureLock construction makes it simple to lock. Your skis and boards are securely stored. The 612 Hyper Rack is also reasonably durable. It is constructed with a really thick lid and offers a good warranty coverage option. It is protected by an exceptional lifetime warranty from Thule.
Essential Information About Ski Racks for Cars
Now that you’ve read our reliable list of the top 7 best ski racks for cars, you probably have a much better idea and will make a final decision soon. Nevertheless, we suggest that you take into consideration several factors before purchasing the best one. Multiple factors may affect your final decision. Whatever these may be, we highly recommend going for quality rather than budget. If you can invest in a ski rack with premium quality that could last for years, that would be one of the smartest decisions that you can ever have.
The options mentioned on our list are mostly made of high-quality materials and are designed to last for years. They are also highly durable during the winter season. Some are even perfect for year-round use as they can be converted into summer gear storage. Our list is composed of ski racks that come from reputable companies as well. These brands are mostly known for making these specific products and have received high ratings and lots of positive reviews. Of course, none of them are perfect, so you should also expect drawbacks depending on the product that you will choose. Nevertheless, we highly suggest that you consider all of the factors before making a final decision on what to purchase.