This article is brought to you by ActiveJunky.com. They like our snow forecasts, and we like their knowledge of gear. So we work together to bring you details on the best stuff you can buy, and they help you earn cash back on purchases. Win-win-win-win, or something like that!

Roof racks add convenience and capacity into the equation, keeping snowmelt off of the leather and dirt and grime away from your gear. Plus, backseat passengers will thank you, no longer subjected to double-buckled perdition.

Unless you chuck everything in a pickup bed or always ski solo, rack up to make your mountain-bound sojourns less stressful. Picking out the right rack combination is a chore, but Active Junky is here to lock it all down.

To Bar Or Not To Bar?

Most mountain-worthy cars come equipped with raised rails, parallel ridges that grace the vehicle’s roof. It’s worth noting that rails come in different shapes and sizes while some vehicles don’t have rails at all. Attaching a set of rack-compatible horizontal load bars to your roof (rails or no rails) is the first step in this rack equation.

Active Junky has mapped out three routes from which to choose, all utilizing Thule’s AeroBlade system, a top-notch line of adjustable load bars that lock on to a variety of different vehicles.

3 Options: Thule AeroBlade Load Bars:

We focused on Thule’s AeroBlade system, primarily because it whispers past the competition. Inspired by aircraft wings, the AeroBlade system is, as the name suggests, aerodynamic, quiet and strong.

Option 1: Rail-less Wonder

Buy a pair of AeroBlades and then combine it with a Rapid Aero Foot Back fit kit. Fit kits use "feet" or clamps that lock load bars onto the roof.

Best For: Vehicles without rails or rain gutters

Earn cash back on the AeroBlade Load Bar Pair

Earn cash back on the Rapid Aero Foot Pack

Option 2: Understated Rails

If your car’s rails are more subtle than raised, the Flush Mount AeroBlade Load Bar is a great option; integrated, adjustable feet mean you don’t need to worry about purchasing a separate fit kit.

Best For: Vehicles with low-key rails

Earn cash back on the AeroBlade Edge Flush Mount Load Bar

Option 3: Raised Rails

Similar to the Flush Mount but for more pronounced rails, the Raised Rail Load Bar comes complete with the same convenient integrated feet and easy installation process.

Best For: High-capacity carrying for cars with raised rails

Earn cash back on the AeroBlade Edge Raised Rail Load Bar

Take a few moments to research the right Aeroblade setup for your car. Now that we’ve covered the basics of setting up your load bars, let’s get to the good stuff: the racks.

Thule Universal Pull Top 6: All-Around Champ

A classic design updated with Thule’s latest technology, the Universal Pull Top locks up to four pairs of skis or boards. Aerodynamic at high speeds and easy to open and close in jarring temperatures, the Pull Top is a rock solid pick.

Best For: Carrying a combination of up to four skis/boards

Earn cash back on the Thule Universal Pull Top 6pr w/Locks

Thule Snowboard Carrier: Boarders Only

Save space with this diagonally designed snowboard carrier. Two boards fit side by side while locking arms protect them from slipping.

Best For: Snowboarders looking to save space.

Earn cash back on the Thule Snowboard Carrier

Thule Force Alpine Cargo Box: Protection En-Route

Guard your gear from snow and highway muck, be it skis or boards, boots and bags, with the Alpine Cargo Box. This high-capacity carrying system is essentially a second trunk. Glide your way to the mountains in confidence, knowing that your prized planks are locked away in the Alpine Cargo Box.

Use Thule’s Fit Guide for reliable in making your decision, but always remember: buying through ActiveJunky.com means cash back on all of your outdoor purchases, enough for that tank top-off on your way to the slopes.

Earn cash back on the Thule Force Alpine Cargo Box