In Vienna and Lower Austria the time has come next week, the other federal states will follow suit in the next two weeks: the semester break will begin. Many Austrian families are drawn to the local ski areas.

But before that, the thick ski clothing, the bulky ski boots and of course the skis or snowboard have to be stowed away safely. The ARBÖ explains what drivers have to pay attention to when loading their vehicle.

The journey to the winter holiday is usually with your own vehicle and you also have your own skis or snowboards with you. Winter sports equipment should always be stowed on the roof in luggage racks. Skis and snowboards should only be transported inside the vehicle if there is an appropriate hatch. In addition, the equipment should be fastened with a belt. Nevertheless, caution is advised: “Due to their sharp edges, skis can mutate into projectiles that can cause serious injuries in the event of an accident. In the event of emergency braking, there is a great risk of injury for all occupants,” says ARBÖ spokesman Sebastian Obrecht. In addition, improper transport can also lead to legal problems: fines of up to €5.000 can be incurred. The ARBÖ therefore advises all ski holidaymakers to invest in a professional carrier system.

Before purchasing such a system, it is important to seek advice from a professional. Roof boxes have the advantage that skis and snowboards can be transported safely and well protected. Another plus is that they offer more storage space for luggage and therefore more space for fellow passengers. If travel bags are also stored in the roof rack, they should be divided evenly across the box. The maximum payload (according to the manufacturer's specification) must also be taken into account.

Another way to transport your winter gear is with ski racks. They are easy to use and can be easily attached to base supports using the magnet system. If the carriers are no longer brought, they can be stowed away to save space. But be careful: Both systems lead to higher fuel consumption. "The reason for this is the higher air resistance, but also the higher weight," explains ARBÖ-Technik coordinator Erich Groiss. Adjust the air pressure in the tires before setting off. “Heavy loads, but also the sometimes very low temperatures can change the air pressure. This should therefore definitely be adjusted,” Groiss continues. This also gives the best braking properties, because the additional load changes the driving and braking behavior.

Which variant winter sports enthusiasts then decide on - the ARBÖ recommends checking three times whether everything is correct and secure. Once after assembly, then after loading and after about 20 kilometers of driving. "If necessary, the holders of the carrier, box or even the tension belts have to be tightened," concludes Sebastian Obrecht.