Ski racks
Car ski racks: magnetic or roof-bar mounted, for skis and snowboards
Car ski racks, whether written as one word or two, are the same product: a carrier that transports skis and snowboards on the roof of the car, outside the passenger compartment. We manufacture them in Italy in two product families. Magnetic models attach to a steel roof without roof bars and without tools, carry 2 or 3 pairs of skis, and are designed for people who ski a few weekends each season. Roof-bar-mounted models are made of aluminium, come with a lock as standard, remain installed throughout the season, and carry 4 to 6 pairs of skis or up to 4 snowboards. Start with your roof: without roof bars, choose from the magnetic ski racks; with roof bars already installed, go to the ski racks for roof bars.
Tutti i prodotti di questa categoria sono compatibili con la tua auto
Magnetic or roof-bar mounted: which ski rack is right for your car?
It depends on the roof and how often you ski. Without roof bars, the magnetic ski rack grips the steel roof, installs without tools, and can be removed after each trip: it is the model for occasional use. With roof bars installed, the aluminium ski rack is secured with T-bolts in the channel, comes with a lock as standard, and stays on the roof all winter. On glass or aluminium roofs, the magnet will not hold: go directly to the roof-bar-mounted models.
How many skis and snowboards can you carry?
From 2 to 6 pairs of skis. Among the magnetic models, Igloo, Himalaya and Shark carry 2 pairs, while Aconcagua carries 3 (2 with carving skis). Among the roof-bar-mounted models, Iceberg and Yelo 4 NS carry 4 pairs, while Yelo Black carries 6 thanks to its sliding base, which brings the load closer to you without requiring you to lean over the roof. As car snowboard carriers, Aconcagua and Shark carry 2 boards, the roof-bar-mounted models carry 2, and Yelo Black carries up to 4; Himalaya and Igloo are for skis only.
Do you need roof bars?
Only for Iceberg and Yelo, which attach to the channel of the roof bars with T-bolts; if there is no channel, optional out-of-channel kits mount them on the outside of the profile. Magnetic models need neither roof bars nor tools: all you need is a flat, clean and dry steel roof, with the safety strap attached inside the passenger compartment.
How do you transport skis safely on the roof?
With the tips facing backwards and the attachment checked before setting off: on magnetic models, the strap is secured to the door frame; on roof-bar-mounted models, the T-bolts must be tightened and the lock closed. The manuals for Aconcagua, Himalaya, Shark and Igloo set a limit of 130 km/h with skis and 100 km/h with snowboards; for roof-bar-mounted models, follow the relevant manual. The comparison between the two families is covered in the guide magnetic or roof-bar-mounted ski rack.
Made in Italy ski racks: what makes the difference?
Menabo ski racks are made in Cavriago (Reggio Emilia), where we have been manufacturing car transport accessories for over 50 years. Each model states how many pairs of skis and snowboards it can carry; for magnetic models, the manual also specifies load capacity, weight and usage limits. An anti-theft lock is standard on all roof-bar-mounted models and on three out of four magnetic models (Igloo does not have one), while the out-of-channel kits are designed for Iceberg and Yelo.
FAQ — Main category: ski racks
Magnetic or roof-bar-mounted ski rack: how do I choose?
Look at your car roof and how often you ski. Without roof bars and with a few trips per season, the magnetic ski rack installs without tools on the steel roof and carries 2 or 3 pairs of skis. With roof bars already installed, or if you ski frequently with several people, the roof-bar-mounted ski rack carries 4 to 6 pairs and stays installed throughout the season. If in doubt, let frequency of use decide: occasional use, magnetic; all-season use, roof-bar-mounted.
Can you install a ski rack without roof bars?
Yes, with a magnetic ski rack. Igloo, Himalaya, Shark and Aconcagua attach directly to a clean, dry steel roof, without tools, and the safety strap is secured to the door frame. They carry 2 pairs of skis (3 for Aconcagua) and can be removed after the day’s trip. Roof-bar-mounted ski racks, on the other hand, require roof bars and attach to their channel with T-bolts.
How many pairs of skis can a car ski rack carry?
From 2 to 6 pairs. The magnetic ski racks Igloo, Himalaya and Shark carry 2 pairs; Aconcagua carries 3 pairs of standard or cross-country skis, or 2 pairs of carving skis. The roof-bar-mounted ski racks Iceberg, Yelo 4 NS and Yelo 4 NS Black carry 4 pairs, while Yelo Black carries 6 pairs. On magnetic models, each pair can weigh a maximum of 7 kg. Allow one pair per skier: with four people on board, the roof-bar-mounted model is the required choice.
Can the ski rack also carry snowboards?
It depends on the model. Among the magnetic models, Aconcagua carries 2 snowboards and Shark carries 2 snowboards or 1 pair of skis and 1 snowboard; Himalaya and Igloo carry skis only. Among the roof-bar-mounted ski racks, Iceberg, Yelo 4 NS and Yelo 4 NS Black carry 2 snowboards, while Yelo Black carries up to 4. Before choosing, check the snowboard capacity in the product specifications.
Are there suction-cup ski racks?
No, not in the Menabo catalogue. The need that suction-cup racks were designed to meet — mounting a ski rack on a car without roof bars — is now covered by magnetic ski racks: they grip the steel roof, install without tools and are removed in the same way. If you are looking for a ski rack without roof bars, start with Igloo, Himalaya, Shark or Aconcagua; if your car already has roof bars, look at Iceberg and Yelo.