The 10 Best Ski and Snowboard Rack For Your Car in 2022 [Review and Guide]

Updated Feb 17, 2022

How are you going to get your skis and your snowboards up to the mountains if your car is already full of other equipment? These ski and snowboard racks for your car are perfect for either, or situations and are not going to demolish your budget. When looking for a good quality ski or snowboard rack a few aspects come into play, such as style, the total amount of spaces for, its adaptability for whatever vehicle you have, and durability. Your best bet is to get a snowboard rack for your car, which can also carry skis.

A roof rack allows you to securely place your gear on the top of your vehicle, eliminating the difficulty of fitting all of your things inside. Many are compatible with a wide range of vehicles and have safety features to ensure that none of your sports gear are damaged or scratched during the process. Furthermore, most roof racks aren’t extremely expensive, allowing you to safely store and protect your stuff while staying inside your budget.

This review will also look at the durability and construction, which are important features when it comes to this type of high-use equipment. Weather tolerance is also a necessity. We also looked at the pricing and materials and additional features that made it interesting for the best pick of ski and snowboard rack for your car.

The Best Ski and Snowboard Rack 2022 – Factors Considered

Pricing

The price of the top choices below ranges from $100 up to $350 this is a fairly average price range for the average snowboard and ski rack for the top of your car and it certainly will yield a quality product with a skillfully engineered construction of the product to ensure its longevity and effectiveness. If you’re looking for the one rack that is going last your whole boarding career and possibly longer, then spending a little more for that top-quality rack might be your solution.

Durability

The durability of these racks is phenomenal. No expense was taken when searching for high-grade materials, such as aluminum and crafted by mastered welders, with aluminum Tig welding machines to provide the most durable Snow Board Rack possible.

Material

The materials are metal and plastic with rubber components as well all made to withstand harsh environments. Generally, most Snow Boarding Racks are fabricated out of lightweight aluminum metals or high-grade steel then powder coated to provide style, and protection from the elements, the powder coating is a good coating to protect the metals from weathering. Many plastic or metal clips are attached to the Snow Boarding racks to make sure your snowboard doesn’t come flying off your vehicle.

Nylon straps and handles can be integrated into some racks to provide an easier mode of transportation when the rack is not attached to your vehicle. Most mounting hardware for Snow Board racks is a piece of high-grade metal, to guarantee a secure mount to your vehicle.

Construction

These racks generally being fabricated out of aluminum or other high-grade metals, are constructed in a welding fabrication shop, where each piece of metal is cut to precise lengths, and welded together with a high-power TIG aluminum welding machine. Once the Snow Boarding Rack is fabricated, all jagged welds or edges are ground off and made smooth, then the rack is spray painted with powdery metallic-based paint to protect the metals from weathering. At this point, the Rack ends are capped off with fitted plastic pieces to protect the inner exposed metal, or if the metal isn’t tube metal, then ends are just made smooth.

Additional features such as clips, locks, handles, paint jobs, and specific features are then attached to the fully fabricated rack. Some Snow Boarding Racks aren’t made with metal, instead are made out of high-quality plastic materials that are very weather resistant and strong. Most racks have additional cushioning added to where your board will sit, to protect your board or skies when you’re hitting bumpy terrain, so no scuffs or chips on your expensive gear!

Additional Features

Some of the racks are featured as having locks, which is a great way for you to keep your board safe from board thieves, while you are in the quickie mart getting microwaved burritos. Additionally, any adaptability is taken into account.

The racks chosen for this review are an awesome testament to the industry and these brands are trusted by many. They also won’t break your skis and boards because of special cushioning. They also won’t break the bank. In this article we decided to pick our top products based on what we believe to the most adaptable for your vehicle, their overall quality in materials used, how well the product is designed for style and sleekness on your vehicle, and of course the durability of the product, and how many boards you can fit in the rack.

1. Thule SnowPack Extender Ski/Snowboard Rack

Our selection for the best overall ski and snowboard roof rack is the Thule SnowPack Extender. This is a well-made model that will transport your skis and snowboards safely to your destination.

The Extender is available in a variety of sizes, the largest of which can carry six pairs of skis or four boards. For a more versatile application, you can combine the two.

It also boasts a slide-out design that makes loading and unloading your gear a breeze. If you have a larger vehicle, this is ideal.

The SnowPack also has an anti-theft locking system, universal mounting, and easy-to-use big push buttons.

The only major disadvantage to this choice is the high cost.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

2. YAKIMA, FatCat EVO Premium Ski & Snowboard Mount

This Yakima FatCat EVO Premium Ski and Snow Board Rack in this review is one of the best ski and snowboard rack for your car due to its incredibly affordable priced rack that provides a classic top of the vehicle rack, that is designed to work with nearly any car, truck or mini-van.

This rack is designed to hold any pair of Snowboards or skis, no matter how wide they may be. The Fat-Cat 4 can hold 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards, or for an additional price, you can buy the Fat cat 6 which holds up to 6 pairs of skis and 4 snowboards.

The Fat Cat design has been a favorite among many avid Snowboarders and skiers alike for years, and they hold their positioning in the world of Snow gear racks for a reason. This high-quality rack is a top choice because of how any newbie rider can easily set up and remove these racks hassle-free while keeping durability the main focus.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

3. Thule Snow-Pack Roof Mounted Ski and Snowboard Carrier

The Thule Snow-Pack Roof mounted Ski/Snowboard Carrier is another top choice of the best ski and snowboard rack for your car in our review because of incredible quality, but the price runs you a little steeper in the budget funds. The low profile for the Thule Rack improves aerodynamics to help decrease wear and tear on the hardware and rack itself. It holds 6 ski or 4 snowboards, making it the one that has the largest capacity of the choices.

The Spring height extension system provides a good space to store and thickness of Snowboard or skis while lifting the equipment away from the roof of your car to protect from scratches and abrasions. The Thule rack is made with high-quality materials to provide one of the most durable racks on the market.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

4. Apex Roof Ski Rack, 4 Pair Skis or 2 Snowboards

The Apex Roof Ski rack is a value pick but still provides an excellent ski rack that will last years for your average snow sports hobby. The Apex roof Ski and Snow Board rack is designed to fit up to (4) pairs of skies and (2) snowboards on your vehicle roof. The interior soft rubber 22’ grip is designed to keep your equipment safe and secure without damaging your vehicle.

Features a large push-button release. Easy set up and take down when the season is over. This rack is a good option for anyone who is on a budget.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

5. Aluminum Universal Ski Roof Rack

Because this option is universal, it will suit almost any vehicle with roof rails and cross bars. It can also store up to four snowboards and six pairs of skis, making it ideal for a family excursion. It’s also sturdy and corrosion-resistant because it’s made of aluminum.

It holds skis and snowboards securely with Ultra-Soft rubber arms that grip without scratching the surfaces. Gloves-on operation is easy thanks to the one-button access. A one-year warranty is included, as well as a key and lock for theft protection.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

6. Rhino Rack Ski Carrier

Taking off your gloves in the freezing cold to mount or remove your skis or snowboards from the car is annoying, to say the least, so you won’t have to with this roof rack. It has a simple release and key locking system that allows you to open and close the carrier even when wearing gloves.

They fit 6 Pair of Skis or 4 Snowboards. A universal fitting kit is included to adapt to most crossbars. A key lock system will ensure that your gear is safe and sound and Rhino Rack has made this snowboard rack water and rust proof.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

7. IKURAM R Ski & Snowboard Roof Racks

These ski and snowboard racks are extremely cold resistant, with temperatures as low as -140°F. They can also be installed without the need of any tools. They fit 5 Pairs of Skis or 2 Snowboards.

You can grab your gear on or easily load everything back up and no need to take off your gloves in the cold ski resort, large push button design makes it easily open or close even wearing gloves.

Note that there are also available on the smaller side (and cheaper), with three pairs of skis or one snowboard fitting within.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

8. Leader Accessories Car Ski Snowboard Roof Racks

Another great option for the best ski and snowboard rack for your car is the Leader Accessories Car Ski Snowboard Roof Racks. These roof racks are simple to install, and the large release button makes it simple to use with gloves on. Additional security is provided by the carrier’s locks.

They are made of aluminum and they are durable and supremely corrosion resistant. They have Utra-soft rubber grip profile to hold your skis, snowboards without scratching the surfaces ,and keep soft at 40 degrees below zero.

You can carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards, perfect for a family or group of friends.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

9. SportRack Groomer Deluxe Ski Carrier

The SportRack Groomer Deluxe is a no-nonsense rack that has all of the features you’d expect from a ski rack in a package that’s both affordable and simple to use. This rack fits on most factory racks, including round, square, and aero style racks.

This rack features everything you’d need in a standard ski rack, including rubber cushioning to grasp your skiing gear, a clamp and lock system, and the typical big unlock button for gloved hands. Six pairs of skis or four snowboards can be stored in the Groomer Deluxe. The clasp on the rack may be adjusted to accommodate thicker ski and snowboard sizes when closing it onto your gear. The rack’s maximum load weight is 130 lbs.

It should be noted that with all ski racks with a lock, including this one, it is critical to lock the rack in addition to locking the clamp, since failing to do so may result in the rack opening during transit. Although the tools needed to mount the rack are included, we’ve found that bringing your own may be more convenient.

The SportRack Groomer Deluxe Ski Rack is an excellent choice for those who want a conventional ski rack with all of the standard features at a lower price than most others.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

10. TMS J-Style Rack

The TMS J-style ski rack is a tough competitor for the title of most adaptable ski rack on this list. This TMS rack is popular because, aside from its robustness and ease of use, it’s versatility is only surpassed by its lifetime warranty in terms of value. This is a rack that can handle practically any task (and do it well!) while being cost-effective.

It’s made to accommodate practically any roof bar style and size. It’s composed of steel with a rust-resistant coating and comes with adjustable padding to keep your gear safe. TMS has practically surpassed themselves with this rack because, in addition to its robustness, it features a rapid on/off system that makes installing and removing the rack a breeze.

The rack will need to be assembled, however it includes all of the essential tools and hardware. People have complained that using the stamping wrench to set up the rack is difficult. We’ve discovered that utilizing your own adjustable wrench makes the operation go a lot more smoothly.

Finally, when it comes to adaptability, this TMS rack stands out. It can not only be used as a ski rack, but it can also be used to carry a range of other items when the skiing season is over. Its sturdy construction and ease of use make it a good contender for the ideal ski rack, and with the addition of additional straps, it may provide fantastic peace of mind when transporting your gear.

>>> See Specifications & Read Customer Reviews on Amazon! <<<

The Best Ski and Snowboard Rack For Your Car 2022 Buying Guide

If you’ve never used a ski and snowboard rack before, it’s important to understand how snowboards fit inside. Multiple boards will stack on top of one another base-to-base, just like skis, when being transported.

Two rows of two boards will be sandwiched together in the picks listed above that allow up to four boards to be carried. That may appear strange at first, but it is a reliable method of transporting your boards.

Don’t worry if your vehicle lacks cross members to support a roof rack. These are simple to install and allow you to carry your boards or skis.

You must first choose a suitable size for your car, but after that, installation is a breeze.

Vehicle Compatibility

The first thing to consider is if the ski rack you’re considering is suitable for your car. Because this post is solely about ski and snowboard roof racks, it will be determined whether or not your car has roof rails. Then there’s the question of whether the rack will fit your car’s crossbars.

Crossbar Compatibility

Check to see if the mounting system on the ski rack you’re interested in fits your crossbars. While many popular ski racks have adaptable mounting techniques, a handful are designed for a certain style of crossbar. Round, square, and aero crossbars are the three types of crossbars available. Round bars are in the middle of the pricing range and produce little noise. Square bars are often less expensive and produce the most noise. Oval-shaped aero bars are the quietest and most aerodynamic, but they’re also the most expensive.

Amount of Gear

The second, and typically most significant, factor to consider is the number of skis or snowboards you’ll be transporting. The size of the rack you have will be determined by this. While many of the racks we show here can hold between 2 and 6 pairs of skis or snowboards, you should check the carrying capacity of each rack to make sure you can transport your gear safely and effectively.

Safety – Ease of Use

When loading and unloading a rack, safety is always a consideration, and the roof rack is no exception. When you install a roof rack, you’ll have to reach over the top of your vehicle to access the racks and equipment.

FAQ

Can you put a snowboard on a ski rack?

You’ll need a carrier made specifically for carrying skis or snowboards on a roof rack. There are a variety of ski and snowboard carriers to choose from… A roof cargo box that hooks to your roof rack is another option.

How many snowboards can fit on a ski rack?

Four snowboards can be carried on the average rack. Smaller alternatives can only hold two boards, whereas larger options can carry six or more.

Can you put a ski rack on any car?

A universal rack is significantly easier to install on a car that already has a cross beam fitted on its roof. For this installation, you won’t need to do anything unusual. Even if you don’t have a crossbeam, practically every car has a ski rack option.

Are ski racks bad for skis?

No. Ski racks are designed to safely transport your skis on the roof of your car, so you shouldn’t have to be concerned about damage. Accidents sometimes happen, but a rack isn’t inherently dangerous for skis or snowboards.

Conclusion

All of the racks on this list are extremely sturdy. You can’t go wrong with any of them as long as they attach to your car and include a security system to keep your gear safe. If you live near a ski resort, a rack is essential.

Thanks for reading our review of the best Ski and Snowboard Rack For Your Car and good luck!

Feel free to drop a question, or comment and let us know what you thought of our selections and yours.

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