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The Best Ski Locks Of 2024 Helpful Guide

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Updated May 19th, 2024

best ski locks

There is nothing worse than coming back out of the lodge after a break and discovering your skis are gone. I have been a victim of ski theft 2 times now during my skiing life and it is no fun. There very easy ways to prevent ski theft. The best way to keep your skis or snowboard from being stolen is using a ski lock when you go inside for breaks. Ski locks are inexpensive, small, light and easily fit in your coat pocket.

The Top 6 Best Ski Locks Available Now

1 – Bosvision Ultra-Secure 4-Digit Combination Lock

Top Pick
Bosvision ski lock product image
  • 4-Digit combination lock with 3 feet retractable cable
  • Plastic body won’t scratch your skis
  • 2.4 mm x 3 feet
  • Great for skis and snowboards

Summary

The Bosvision Ultra-Secure 4-Digit Combination Lock is a retractable cable lock with a 4 digit combination. It has a 3 foot, 2.4mm thick cable that is vinyl coated, so it won’t scratch your skies or collect dirt inside the cable. It is available in 3 different colors. The combination can be set by the user. The plastic housing has an accessory loop attachment at the bottom for hooking on key chains or anything else you might want with it.

The M-Wave, Bosvision, and Dakine cable locks are all the same lock design with slightly different outer side plastic molding. They all have the same accessory features on the bottom and the same side molding ridged shape. I would choose whichever one had the color I liked best. If the color wasn’t a concern, then I would make a choice based on which one had the cheapest price at the moment.

What we liked

  • 3ft cable length
  • 2.4mm thick vinyl coated cable
  • 3 colors to choose from
  • 4 digit combination lock
  • Compact and lightweight design

Lock Specifications

  • Cable Length – 3ft
  • Cable Thickness – 2.4mm
  • Weight: 3.1oz
  • Lock Mechanism – 4 digit combination

2 – Dakine Cool Lock

Top Pick
Dakine Cool Lock product image
  • 4-Digit combination lock with 3 feet retractable cable
  • Plastic body won’t scratch your skis
  • 2.4 mm x 3 feet
  • Great for skis and snowboards

Summary

The Dakine Cool Lock is small compact cable lock with a 3 foot cable. It is the same design as the Bosvision and M-Wave cable locks. I have used a Dakine lock for years and keep it in one of my coat pockets. If I’m buying a new lock, I just look and see which of these 3 brands is the cheapest at the moment and buy that one.

The only advantage of the Dakine lock is that it’s yellow colored and bright, so it stands out to anyone looking at the ski rack.

Dakine also makes a “Micro Lock” that only has a 3 digit combination and the cable is only 2 feet long. Avoid this lock. A 2 foot cable is not long enough to go around a large amount of the ski racks out there. It’s kind of a useless lock for the most part. I bought one years ago. I quickly discovered it’s almost impossible to use anywhere because of the cable length. It’s been sitting in my junk drawer ever since. Stick to one of the 3 foot cable locks with 4 digit combinations.

What we liked

  • 3ft cable length
  • 2.4mm thick vinyl coated cable
  • Bright yellow color stands out in ski rack
  • 4 digit combination lock
  • Compact and lightweight design

Lock Specifications

  • Cable Length – 3ft
  • Cable Thickness – 2.4mm
  • Weight: 3.1oz
  • Lock Mechanism – 4 digit combination

3 – Allnice Portable Mini Cable Lock

Best Value
Allnice cable mini lock product image
  • Master Lock Design – 4-digit combination locking mechanisms, keyless convenience, freely set your favorite password number
  • High Quality – High strength and high tenacity for strong cut resistance. Flexible lock cables for strong cut resistance and PVC coating help prevent scratching.
  • Anti-theft – The 4-digit combinations reduce casual theft possibilities while making it easier for you to remember your password at the same time.

Summary

The Allnice Mini Portable Cable Lock is a non-retracting cable lock that has a zinc alloy metal lock body. It has a 4 digit combination lock. The cable is 47 inches long so will be easy to wrap around multiple pairs of skis and still reach the ski rack. Even without a retracing cable this lock is still very compact and will easily fit in your ski jacket pocket.

This lock is also marketed under several different brands including Burton. You may be able to shop around a bit and find one of the off brands slightly cheaper than the others.

What we liked

  • 47inch length nonretracting cabled
  • 2mm thick cable
  • Zinc alloy lock body
  • 4 digit combination lock
  • Compact and lightweight design with long cable

Lock Specifications

  • Cable Length – 60inches
  • Cable Thickness – 2mm
  • Weight: 3.5oz
  • Lock Mechanism – 4 digit combination

4 – Master Lock 8417D Python Keyed 6ft Cable Lock

Best Extra Long Cable
Master Lock Python Cable Lock product image
  • Outdoor adjustable cable lock with key is best used as a trail camera lock, kayak locking cable, bike cable lock, ski or snowboard lock, and to secure other outdoor equipment
  • Adjustable cable bike lock with key has a patented locking mechanism that holds the cable tight at any position for a perfect fit
  • Cable lock is made with braided steel for strength and flexibliity, and rust-resistant lock and vinyl coated cable provided superior weather and scratch resistance
  • Bike lock cable is 6 ft. (1.8 m) long and 3/16 in. (5 mm) wide in diameter

Summary

The Master Lock 8417D Python Keyed 6ft Cable Lock is a very versatile cable lock that can be locked between 6 inches and 6 feet in length. If you need to lock a whole family’s worth of gear at once this may be the ideal lock for you. It has a 5mm thick braided steel cable that is plastic coated. It uses a key locking mechanism. It is still small enough to fit in a large coat pocket without being too heavy.

What we liked

  • Heavy duty 5mm thick cable
  • 6 foot cable length
  • Can be locked from 6inches to 6 feet
  • Relatively light and compact design

Lock Specifications

  • Cable Length – 6ft – Can be locked in a loop from 6inches to 6 feet
  • Cable Thickness – 5mm
  • Weight: 8oz
  • Lock Mechanism – key lock

5 – Ski Key Lock

Best Rack System Lock
Ski Key Lock product image
  • Fast, Easy, and Convenient Way To Lock Snow Sports Equipment
  • Lifetime Warranty- Comes with 2 Keys per lock
  • Five Colors Available – Blue-Green-Orange-Red or Yellow
  • Can Not Be Cut Off Like a Cable Lock – Safer and Easier to Use
  • Recommend by Ski & Snowboard Resorts Everywhere

Summary

The Ski Key lock is a ski lock designed to work with a Ski Key Rack. This is a really great lock to use if you regularly ski somewhere that has a Ski Key system ski racks. It is very small and lightweight. The ski racks are fairly common throughout the US and Canda.

For a complete list of ski resorts that use Ski Key locking system here. Ski resorts that have Ski Key racks don’t necessarily have 100% Ski Key Racks or Ski Key racks at all of their lodges and break spots.

The racks only lock one pair of skis with a lock. If your skiing with a family member or friend make sure they have their own lock. You can’t lock a couple pairs at once like you can with a cable lock.

What we liked

  • Very small design
  • Key lock
  • No cable
  • Works with Ski Key ski racks found at some ski resorts
  • Available in 5 different colors

Lock Specifications

  • Lock Mechanism – Key lock

6 – M-Wave Lock ‘N’ Roll D 24.9 Combination Lock

M-Wave Lock N Roll product image
  • 4 Digit resettable combination lock
  • 2.4 mm x 3 feet
  • Dark transparent housing to prevent scratches on your bike
  • Great for bikes, skis or snowboards

Summary

The M-Wave Lock ‘N’ Roll Combination lock is a compact retractable cable type lock with a 4 digit combination. The cable is 3 feet long with a 2.4mm thick steel cable. The housing is a dark transparent plastic that won’t scratch your skis or snowboard. The combination can be easily set by the user to whatever numbers they choose. This lock easily fits a pocket in your ski jacket so it’s always ready to be used.

The M-Wave, Bosvision, and Dakine cable locks are all the same lock design with slightly different outer side plastic molding. They all have the same accessory features on the bottom and the same side molding ridged shape. I would choose whichever one had the color I liked best. If the color wasn’t a concern then I would make a choice based on which one had the cheapest price at the moment.

What we liked

  • 3ft cable length
  • 2.4mm thick cable
  • Dark transpartent plastic finish
  • 4 digit combination lock
  • Lightweight and compact design

Lock Specifications

  • Cable Length – 3ft
  • Cable Thickness – 2.4mm
  • Weight: 3.1oz
  • Lock Mechanism – 4 digit combination

bristol mountain ski racks
Doug Ryan Portrait Skiing 200x200

Ryan Craig
Co-Founder & Chief Editor

I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days, I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible. Visit our About Us page and learn more.

ryan@lowbudgetadventurer.com

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