The inflating cost of flying can be a drag for skiers and boarders who often prefer bringing their own boards/skis/poles/boots to renting and having to deal with adjusting to new equipment. Luckily for skiers and boarders coming to Reno-Tahoe, chances are they will be flying an airline that doesn’t charge. Southwest Airlines, for example, is Reno-Tahoe International Airport’s biggest carrier.

Here is a breakdown of the baggage costs for carriers flying into Reno-Tahoe:

• Alaska Airlines: First bag free, with no penalty for ski bags
• Allegiant Air: First bag free, with no penalty for ski bags
• American Airlines: First bag $15, with no additional penalty for ski bags
• Delta Airlines: First bag free, with no penalty for ski bags
• Horizon Air: First bag free, with no penalty for ski bags
• Southwest Airlines: First bag free, with no penalty for ski bags
• United Airlines: First bag $15, with no additional penalty for ski bags
• U.S. Airways: First bag $15, subject to penalties for bags over 45 inches/114 cm and maximum weight of 50 pounds/23 kg.

It is worth noting that even if you can get your ski bag on the airplane for a reasonable price, airlines impose extra charges for bags that weigh over 50 pounds – with some charging in excess of $100.

Check with your individual airline, and know the rules before you get the bill.

Locals refer to it as the “shoulder season” in the Sierra Nevada, the time between peak winter ski tourism and summer fun on Lake Tahoe’s beaches. But here’s a local secret: Some of the best (and least expensive) skiing happens in Spring.
This year started off strong with a flurry of cold storms that brought powder days and a large snowpack for the Sierra’s dozen-or-so resorts. Now that temperatures are in the 60s at higher altitude, the deep base is paying dividends of spring corn combined with good coverage.
Come up to the mountains for a visit to Reno-Tahoe, enjoy some of the best spring conditions we’ve had in years and take advantage of shoulder season travel deals. Check out our resorts page and plan your trip before it’s too late.