Complete Snowboard and Ski Forwarding Guide

Burton, Salomon, Rossignol, K2, Atomic, plus buying from Backcountry / EVO / REI

Ski forwarding = oversized ocean freight + 50% end-of-season discounts + active used market

Burton Custom snowboard is USD$579 in the U.S. vs NT$22,000 in Taiwan, and Salomon QST 92 skis are USD$700 vs NT$28,000 in Taiwan. Backcountry / EVO end-of-season sales can reach 50-70% off. This guide explains 5 major brands and oversized ocean shipping.

Table of Contents

  1. Why forward ski gear from the United States?
  2. 5 major product categories
  3. 5 major ski and snowboard brands
  4. End-of-season discounts and buying timing
  5. 5 buying platforms
  6. 6 steps for ski forwarding
  7. FAQ

Why Forward Ski Gear from the United States?

  • 30-50% price gaps: Burton Custom Snowboard is USD$579 in the U.S. vs NT$22,000 in Taiwan, saving about NT$5,000
  • 50-70% end-of-season discounts: Backcountry / EVO clear inventory from April to June after the U.S. ski season, which runs roughly November to March
  • Complete bundles: snowboard packages, including board + bindings + boots, can be 30% off
  • Top models: Burton Custom X, Salomon QST 92, and Rossignol Sky 7 often launch first in the U.S.
  • Active used market: eBay / Sidelines used gear can be 50% cheaper
  • Professional outerwear and protection: Burton AK, Volcom GORE-TEX, POC / Smith helmets

5 Major Product Categories

TypePrice rangeMain modelsShipping
Snowboards + skisUSD$400-1,000Burton Custom, Salomon QST 92, Rossignol Sky 7, K2 MindbenderOversized ocean freight
Bindings + bootsUSD$200-700Burton Cartel, Salomon Shift, Rossignol TrackOcean freight
Ski jackets / waterproof pantsUSD$200-800Burton AK, Volcom GORE-TEX, Patagonia, Arc'teryxOcean / EMS
Helmets / goggles / protectionUSD$100-400POC, Smith I/O, Oakley Flight Tracker, BernEMS air
Complete snowboard packagesUSD$700-1,500Burton Package, EVO Package with board + bindings + bootsOversized ocean freight

5 Major Ski and Snowboard Brands

1. Burton, U.S., the Snowboard Leader

Popular models: Custom, Custom X, Process, Hometown Hero, AK apparel
Price gap: Burton Custom Snowboard is USD$579 in the U.S. (about NT$18,300) vs NT$22,000 in Taiwan
Notes: 1. founded in Vermont in 1977 2. AK GORE-TEX apparel is premium 3. buy through Burton.com / Backcountry.

2. Salomon, France, All-Mountain Specialist

Popular models: QST 92 for freeride, QST 106 for powder, Stance 96, Shift Bindings
Price gap: Salomon QST 92 skis are USD$700 in the U.S. (about NT$22,000) vs NT$28,000 in Taiwan
Notes: 1. founded in Annecy, France in 1947 2. Shift Bindings are dual-system bindings 3. buy through Salomon.com / REI.

3. Rossignol, France, Race-Slope Leader

Popular models: Hero Master FIS, Sky 7 HD, Forza, Track Bindings
Price gap: Rossignol Sky 7 HD is USD$650 in the U.S. (about NT$20,500) vs NT$26,000 in Taiwan
Notes: 1. founded in France in 1907 2. FIS-certified World Cup race heritage 3. buy through Rossignol.com.

4. K2, U.S., Freestyle / All-Mountain

Popular models: Mindbender 99Ti, Reckoner, Wayback, Press
Price gap: K2 Mindbender 99Ti is USD$770 in the U.S. (about NT$24,300) vs NT$30,000 in Taiwan
Notes: 1. founded on Vashon Island in the U.S. in 1962 2. Mindbender Ti uses high-end titanium construction 3. buy through K2Sports.com.

5. Atomic, Austria, Racing + All-Mountain

Popular models: Maverick for freeride, Redster X9 SI for piste, Bent 100, Backland
Price gap: Atomic Maverick 95 TI is USD$700 in the U.S. (about NT$22,000) vs NT$28,000 in Taiwan
Notes: 1. founded in Altenmarkt, Austria in 1955 2. strong high-end race and all-mountain lineup 3. buy through Atomic.com / REI.

End-of-Season Discounts and Buying Timing

U.S. Ski Season vs Buying Timing
  • November-March, ski season: new products launch at regular price
  • March-April, season end: 30% off and early clearance begins
  • May-July, summer clearance: 50-70% off and the best value
  • August-October, new-season preview: preorders and limited colors

3 Timing Recommendations

  • Beginner / intermediate: buy entry-level gear during May-July summer clearance at 50-70% off
  • Advanced / race users: buy latest-season models in November, ideally board + bindings + boots together
  • JapanSki / NZSki plans: buy in September-October before Japan / New Zealand ski travel season

5 Buying Platforms

1. Backcountry.com

Region: United States Type: outdoor sports

Advantages: 1. full Burton / Salomon / Rossignol / K2 / Atomic selection 2. Steep & Cheap end-of-season discounts of 50-70% 3. Gearheads support is knowledgeable
Drawbacks: 1. forwarding is required

2. EVO.com

Region: United States Type: snowboard specialist

Advantages: 1. snowboards, skis, surf, and bicycles 2. snowboard package bundle discounts 3. EVO Outlet can be 50% off
Drawbacks: 1. forwarding is required

3. REI Co-op

Region: United States Type: outdoor retail chain

Advantages: 1. REI member 10% benefit 2. Garage Sale used gear can be 50% off 3. 1-year returns
Drawbacks: 1. forwarding is required

4. Burton / Salomon / Rossignol U.S. Official Stores

Region: United States Type: official brand stores

Advantages: 1. limited colors 2. new-season preorders 3. custom engraving
Drawbacks: 1. forwarding is required

5. eBay / Sidelines, Used Gear

Region: United States Type: used / refurbished

Advantages: 1. used snowboards / skis can be 50-70% cheaper 2. some items are new open-box 3. good for beginner practice
Drawbacks: 1. seller selection matters, especially impact history

6 Steps for Ski Forwarding

1Confirm Category and Specifications

1. Snowboard or skis. 2. Board length based on height and weight. 3. Skill level: beginner / intermediate / advanced. 4. Consider a full snowboard package.

2Choose a Platform

1. Mainstream gear -> Backcountry / EVO / REI. 2. Full sets -> EVO Snowboard Package. 3. Used gear -> eBay / Sidelines. 4. Limited models -> Burton.com / Salomon.com.

3Choose a Partner Warehouse

Use the U.S. Oregon warehouse with no sales tax, then ship through the oversized ocean-freight counter.

4Warehouse Arrival Check

1. Confirm the outer packaging with photos. 2. Add 10% insurance for high-value boards. 3. Keep original box and board bag complete.

5Choose Ocean Freight, Required for Oversized Boards

1. Snowboards / skis are usually 150-180 cm long, so use ocean LCL for 25-40 days. 2. Consolidate a snowboard package with boots and apparel. 3. EMS air is usually not cost-effective.

6EZWay Declaration and Customs Clearance

1. Declare under "sports goods / ski equipment" with the correct value. 2. Duty is usually 5% plus 5% business tax. 3. See the EZWay tutorial.

Ski Forwarding FAQ

Q1. Is forwarding a Burton Custom snowboard worth it?
Very much so, especially during clearance. 1. Burton Custom Snowboard: U.S. price USD$579, about NT$18,300, vs NT$22,000 in Taiwan, a NT$3,700 or 17% gap. 2. After forwarding: product NT$18,300 + oversized ocean shipping NT$1,500 + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$21,800, roughly break-even at regular price. 3. End-of-season discounts make it strong: Backcountry in May-July may drop to USD$405 at 30% off, while EVO Outlet can drop to USD$350 at 40% off; landed cost can be NT$11,500-13,500, saving NT$8,500-10,500 or 40-50%. 4. Practical points: buy through Backcountry / EVO end-of-season, Burton Custom is an intermediate-to-advanced board, and 158-160 cm often fits a 170 cm rider depending on weight. 5. Notes: use oversized ocean shipping and add 10% insurance; consider buying bindings and boots together as a Snowboard Package. 6. Recommendation: buy in May-July; a board + bindings + boots package around USD$1,000 can be far cheaper than a Taiwan set, and outerwear / helmet can be consolidated.
Q2. Is Salomon QST 92 suitable for beginners?
It is more of an intermediate model. 1. Salomon QST 92 skis: U.S. price USD$700, about NT$22,000, vs NT$28,000 in Taiwan, a NT$6,000 or 21% gap. 2. After forwarding: product NT$22,000 + ocean shipping NT$1,500 + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$26,000, saving NT$2,000 or 7%. 3. Beginner guidance: QST 92 is intermediate, suitable for about 50% groomers and 50% trees; QST 99 / 106 are more advanced all-mountain / powder options; Salomon Stance 96 is a more friendly all-rounder. 4. Practical points: buy through Backcountry / REI, choose length around height minus 5 cm, and pair with Salomon Shift Bindings for dual use. 5. Notes: skis need bindings at an additional USD$200-400; boots must be tried on, and custom insoles may be needed; helmet and ski apparel are required. 6. Recommendation: beginners should consider REI Garage Sale used gear or EVO Outlet at 50% off; intermediates can buy new QST 92 from the U.S.; a ski package with skis + bindings + boots can be shipped by ocean freight together.
Q3. Are full Snowboard Packages good value?
Yes, they can be excellent value. 1. EVO Snowboard Package, including board + bindings + boots: U.S. EVO price around USD$799, about NT$25,200, vs about NT$45,000 in Taiwan for a comparable set, a NT$19,800 or 44% gap. 2. After forwarding: product NT$25,200 + oversized ocean shipping NT$2,000 + 5% duty + 5% business tax = about NT$30,000, saving around NT$15,000 or 33%. 3. Practical use: buy from EVO / Backcountry snowboard package pages, such as board + Cartel-style bindings + Photon-style boots; the set is matched for size and riding style. 4. Notes: bindings and boots must match foot length and boot size; ski boots use BSL, or Boot Sole Length; snowboard bindings must be compatible with Burton channel systems or universal 4x4 mounting. 5. Recommendation: beginners should choose EVO Snowboard Package for value; advanced riders can pair Burton AK GORE-TEX apparel with Custom boards and limited-color bindings; ship board, boots, outerwear, and protection together to spread freight cost.
Q4. How is ski ocean freight calculated?
It is calculated by CBM volume. 1. Board / ski dimensions: a 158 cm snowboard package at 175 x 30 x 15 cm is about 0.08 CBM; a 178 cm ski package at 195 x 20 x 15 cm is about 0.06 CBM; bindings are about 0.02 CBM; boots are about 0.03 CBM. 2. Ocean freight: U.S. to Taiwan LCL is roughly USD$80-120 / CBM; a snowboard alone may cost USD$10-16, about NT$320-500; a full package with board + bindings + boots at about 0.13 CBM may cost USD$15-20, about NT$470-630 before oversized handling and service charges. 3. Practical use: consolidate ski apparel and protection in the same shipment; shared container pricing can be about USD$60 / CBM; long boards over 170 cm may carry an oversized surcharge. 4. Notes: original boxes protect against moisture and impact; add 10% insurance; EMS air can exceed USD$200 for a set and is usually not worth it. 5. Recommendation: ship one full snowboard package plus apparel and helmet by ocean freight, consolidate with other household orders or clothing, and buy in May-July so it arrives around August before the next season.
Q5. Can used snowboards be trusted?
It depends on condition. 1. Used platforms: REI Garage Sale for U.S. returns, eBay U.S., Sidelines for ski-specific used gear, and Facebook Marketplace. 2. Price gap: a new Burton Custom is USD$579; like-new used may be USD$300, about 50% off; good used condition may be USD$200, about 65% off. 3. Practical use: REI Garage Sale is a strong source for U.S. members; inspect detailed photos for base wear and edge condition; impact history matters for bindings. 4. Notes: used bindings are not recommended because impact history affects safety; used main boards can be acceptable if damage is repairable; used boots are not recommended because foot shape differs; used snow pants / jackets are usually acceptable. 5. Recommendation: beginners can choose REI Garage Sale used boards, confirm no structural damage and intact edges, then pair a used board with new bindings and boots before shipping the full set by ocean freight.
Q6. Are ski products often inspected by customs?
The probability is low, about 5-10%. 1. Inspection triggers: bulk purchases of 5+ sets, suspected commercial import, and high-value shipments over USD$2,000. 2. Response: provide Backcountry / EVO / REI order invoices, declare as "sports goods / ski equipment," and keep the quantity reasonable for personal use. 3. Practical cases: one personal snowboard package plus ski apparel and protection is usually released; 5+ identical sets may be treated as commercial import and require importer registration; some ski apparel, including GORE-TEX items, may use textile tax categories. 4. Notes: ski gear duty is usually 5% plus 5% business tax; if the declared value is too low, customs may estimate based on Taiwan retail; oversized boards are more visible for inspection. 5. Recommendation: ship one snowboard package plus ski apparel per forwarding order, consolidate with clothing or shoes when appropriate, keep complete PayPal / credit card receipts, and add 10% insurance for high-value shipments over USD$1,500.

Related Reading

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