Butt Board (sledding With Skis)

The goal of this Instructable is to create a platform for sledding with old skis.  The crux of this Instructable is to create a platform for attaching STUFF to skis without modifying the skis or bindings.  In essence take a 2X4 and create a ski boot shape out of it to mount into the binding as a boot normally would.

 Trace the footprint of your ski boot on a 2X4.

 Cut what you traced.  I used a hand held jig saw but use what you've got.  The saw blade made a slightly crooked cut so pay attention to the desired shape vs. the actual cut shape.  Remember that the important edge is the one created after the next 2 steps.

 I held the pencil stationary and rotated the 2X4 to create a line signifying the depth for the router to plunge.

 Set the depth of the router to the 2 pencil lines.  The distance inbound it not important as long as it is as far as the boot.

 Try to snap the 2X4 shoe into the ski binding by stomping on it.  Be sure to protect the ski edges by placing them on a forgiving surface like plywood.  If too much material has been cut try to putty with any fairly rigid means.  My first attempt required some puttying so I scooped up the saw dust and mixed it with epoxy and made a mold with a strip of duct tape to hold the putty's form.

 

It's always good to brainwash little children to becoming engineers.  This is my 2.5 year old on the single ski version.  His max run was 10 feet!

 Now that you have created a 2X4 shoe you can mount all sorts of things to it.  Here is a single ski version that you have to balance like a bike.  I have also tied a single ski on to my boot and put my other foot on the front.  I hope you enjoy and post your creations.  Thanks.

Rob Stupplebeen