Butt Board (sledding With Skis)

Intro: 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.

STEP 1: Trace

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

STEP 2: Cut

 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.

STEP 3: Depth Measure

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

STEP 4: Rout

 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.

STEP 5: Check Fit

 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.

STEP 6: Attach Accessories

STEP 7: Play

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!

STEP 8: Reconfigure

 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

Comments

[Reiff]

I think I will try that, I am trying to find a way to use these old skis when it snows around here. I also like how it will not ruin the skis.

[trailogy]

This thing Flies!!! Very good ideas. thumbs up

[fast-e-nuff!!]

You don't need snow either! We used to make these using old barrel staves as the runners and find a nice, steep hill. Preferably covered in a thick layer of leaves! Poormans toboggan! They really fly and you have a good low center of gravity. Because of your position and your legs being in front you can kind of steer and brake also!

[Tu Vieja]

Here in Argentina, people go to Bariloche to "culipatinar", which could be translated to "asskate" You could add a handle to the ski and  use it to turn, go faster by getting your feet above of the ski, and stop by dropping the handle and fall to your side.

I'm not very sure how this would end, though, seeing asskaters are very different: http://www.pura-nieve.com.ar/Clasificados/Culipa1.jpg Get an idea by searching "culipatin" on youtube

[seamster]

This is pretty clever.  I've been wanting to add seats and handles to an old snowboard to make it into a toboggan-type sled.  This gets the gears turning a little--maybe I'll finally get around to it!

[rstupplebeen]

For a snow board I would take off the bindings and use the T-nuts as the mounting.  I currently steer by dragging my hands I'm not sure if the work creating handles would be worth the effort.  Toss a link here if/when you do.  Good luck!

[gmoon]

Yeeeeee haaa!