If there is a snow sport that everyone can enjoy, it is sledding. Age, experience and skill level are never in question, and the only requirement is that you have a good time.
Snow sledding technology has evolved from the iconic wooden and steel racers to today's polished plastic pucks. Just because there haven't been a lot of innovations doesn't mean you can't get creative with building your own sled. If you have a pair of old skis that are just collecting dust in your closet, you have the makings of a DIY ski sled. This project is highly customizable; Use the materials you have on hand.
Part of the joy of building this ski sled is that you'll be lifting used skis and possibly a worn out wheelbarrow. You can find used skis at most thrift stores, as well as on Craigslist. We decided to use children's skis as they were the perfect length for this project (5 feet).
If your skis still have the bindings attached, remove them with a screwdriver or wireless controller. There are normally four bolts that hold each link on the ski.
Lay the wheelbarrow hub on the plywood and trace around the edge of the bottom of the wheelbarrow.
Using a jigsaw, follow the path of the wheelbarrow base and cut out the piece of plywood. Measure out eight 5” pieces of your 2x4 and, using your saw again, cut your 2x4 to create the risers.
Using sandpaper and a sanding block, smooth the edges around the base and risers.
Use a water sealer to treat the wood bands and base. This will slow the rotting of the wood and keep it waterproof. Let dry overnight.
The plywood base serves as a solid foundation for the ski sled. Using pre-cut holes in the wheelbarrow hub, mark the plywood underneath and drill holes, then attach to the plywood base using existing wheelbarrow hardware or the correct size bolts. Ours were 5/16".
Using a hacksaw with a metal blade or oscillating tool, cut the bolts, leaving about a half inch.
Place two bands in the holes where the ski bindings were attached. Using the screws from your deck, you can try to take advantage of the pre-existing holes, but we ended up drilling new holes in the skis, which is probably a stronger joint. Use the 5 screws used to fix each set of bands.
Now it's finally coming together. Put your bucket (seat) on the skis (runners) and check the alignment of the back of the skis and the front of the skis to make sure they are even and straight. If you want to control the speed a bit, you can slightly tilt the toes of the skis.
Attach the hub to the risers with the screws from your deck.
Drill two holes in the front of the bucket and thread the poly rope through them. This will serve as a handle to hold on to while riding, as well as a way to pull the sled uphill.
Sledding is fun, but it can also be a dangerous activity. Use this sled at your own risk; We recommend wearing a helmet. Every time you've finished sledding, check the sled for worn parts or cracks in the wood or skis, and make any necessary repairs before using the sled again.
