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Why I Always Carry a $15 Ski Lock

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 1:05 PM ET

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My friends laughed hysterically as I locked up my new pair of snowblades from Moment Skis to a fence outside of The Slot Bar at Palisades Tahoe, California.

"Hey, laugh at me all you want, but I refuse to be the guy who gets his gear stolen," I replied with a smile on my face. It's a response I've uttered time and time again, and one that I'm surprised my friends haven't grown tired of hearing.

They ski with me on a daily basis. They know I don't mess around when it comes to protecting my beloved skis.

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Growing up in Delaware and frequently skiing mountains in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, my Dad always ensured that every member of our family carried a personal ski lock in their jacket or pants pocket.

So, from the time I was responsible enough to carry my own ski lock, I have. I've lost a couple over the years, but I've never paid more than $20 for a simple, retractable ski lock that easily fits into my jacket or bibs pocket.

It's not a cool look to whip one of these out and secure your gear before heading inside, and maybe that's why many folks have yet to purchase one, but I could care less. The comfort of knowing my gear is more secured than everybody else's is more than worth the small burden of carrying the lock in my bibs pocket.

You know what's really not cool? Being the guy or gal who can't ski because their gear was stolen.

How Big Are Retractable Ski Locks?

Like any product, retractable ski locks come in various shapes and sizes, but the majority will fit easily into the palm of your hand.

My lock is roughly the size of an old flip phone and weighs no more than a half-pound. I wear a pair of bibs with quite a few pockets, and typically opt to place the lock in one of the pockets on the chest area. This way I can easily whip it out whenever I need to.

One thing to note— some retractable locks will be larger than others based on the locking mechanism. Most locks use a three or four digit pin, but others have a key or larger combination system. Consider purchasing a lock with a three or four digit pin if you're looking for the smallest option.

How Does a Retractable Ski Lock Work?

The majority of ski locks have a retractable cord that can be used to secure your gear.

I typically run this cord through a fixed loop on the heel piece of each ski binding. I then run the cord around a secured pole, ski rack, fence, or other structure. Then, I link the cord back to the device and then scramble the pin combination.

To unlock the device, I enter my set pin in the combination, press a small release button, and then unwind the cord from the skis. I then press another button to retract the cord. I then place the lock back into my bibs pocket.

If the cord isn't long enough to loop through both ski bindings and the ski rack, consider locking just one ski to the rack. The visual deterrent of the lock, and the fact that only ski can easily be stolen, is enough to deter most would-be thieves.

Are Ski Locks Worth It?

Simply put, yes. Purchasing a $15-$20 ski lock is an affordable way to protect your gear. The visual deterrent alone should be enough to prevent an easy-opportunity thief from trying to walk away from your skis. The added security of a fixed metal cord will also hhelp.

It's worth noting, however, that if you own some snazzy skis that a thief really wants to a steal, odds are a retractable lock won't be able to withstand a pair of wire cutters or another power tool. It's not likely that a thief would be brazen enough to whip out tools to steal your stick in broad daylight, but it could happen.

My question to you is this— Would you rather a thief be able to simply walk away with your $1500+ skis without any resistance? Or, would you prefer that they have to put in some elbow grease to steal your gear?

I opt for the latter.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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