Rent a Roof Box for Your Ski Trip – Room for Skis, Boots and Gear
A ski trip means more gear than any other vacation: skis and boots for each person, heavy jackets, thermals, helmets – and you still need room for the rest of the luggage. Without a roof box or ski box, the car gets tight fast – often impossible. Our Thule roof boxes fit skis up to 222 cm, for two to five people and for every common vehicle.
What matters most for skiers: the box's interior length
With a ski box, volume isn't everything – interior length is. Here's what fits in our four sizes:
- Roof box 300 liters: interior about 177 cm – for skis up to 175 cm (juniors, shorter adults, short carving skis)
- Roof box 450 liters: interior from about 182 cm – for skis up to 180 cm
- Roof box 500 liters: interior from about 197 cm – for skis up to 195 cm (most adult skis)
- Roof box 600 liters XXL: interior from about 222 cm – for touring and cross-country skis up to 215 cm
Tip: measure your longest skis with bindings before booking. Touring skis with bindings can be longer than expected.
How many skis fit in each box?
Rough guide – depending on ski width and whether you also carry luggage:
- 300 liters: 2 pairs of skis plus boots and some luggage
- 450 liters: 3–4 pairs plus boots and family suitcases
- 500 liters: 4–5 pairs plus complete family gear
- 600 liters XXL: 5+ pairs plus bulky extra luggage or touring equipment
Popular destinations our customers head to
In winter, our customers from the Rhine-Main area book roof boxes mainly for Austria (Tyrol, Salzburg region, Carinthia), South Tyrol (Dolomites), Switzerland (Graubünden, Valais), Bavaria (Alpine region), and France (French Alps). The rule is the same everywhere: book early. During peak ski periods – Christmas/New Year and carnival school holidays – the larger boxes are often booked out weeks or even months ahead.
What to know for the drive to the mountains
- Winter tires: Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland have situational winter-tire requirements. In some regions snow chains must be carried in the vehicle during certain months.
- Vignettes: Austria (10-day, 2-month or annual), Switzerland (annual).
- Loading: heavy ski boots at the bottom of the box, skis centered and strapped. Soft clothing as padding in between.
- Snow on the box: clear it completely before driving. Flying snow endangers other drivers and brings a fine.
- Speed limit: 130 km/h is the manufacturer's recommendation – a bit less in mountainous crosswinds.
Accessories you might want to add
- Roof boxes in all sizes – 300, 450, 500, 600 liters
- Roof rack – available for over 1,700 vehicle fitments
- Rear box – alternative for EVs or tight roof load ratings
- Cooler – sometimes useful for longer drives with supplies
When should you book?
- November / early December: still good choice for Christmas holidays
- Mid-December: large boxes often booked out for the holidays
- January / February: good availability outside of carnival school breaks
- Carnival school breaks (varies by German state): book early – the third strongest demand after Christmas and Easter
About us
We rent out of our workshop at Steinstraße 16 in Darmstadt. Since 2013, in person, with a fixed address. Thule and Uebler products in every size, mounting on your vehicle included, 5/5 stars from 78 Google reviews. English-speaking service on request.