Ski Rack From 2x4 and Plywood

I couldn't find dimensions for this type of ski rack when I decided to make one so thought it would be helpful to publish this. The rack is designed to fit some fairly wide powder skis but accommodates race skis, XC skis and others.

It is designed to hold 4 pairs of skis and be freestanding, independent of any wall. It requires a fairly flat surface. The design accommodates a boot tray such as this one from Home Hardware, so that the ski rack can be used inside without ice and snow melting onto carpet.

The Sketchup file is included. Please feel free to use/modify in any manner you choose. I am by no means a woodworking/carpentry expert so if someone with more experience has ideas for how to improve this please comment/republish accordingly.

Step 1: Cutting List

Lengths of 2x4

• 18" - Quantity: 2
• 14.5" - Quantity: 2
• 16" - Quantity: 2 - trim ends to 45 degrees (one side is 16", the other is 9")
• 4.75" - Quantity: 3
• 3.5" - Quantity: 3

5/8" Plywood

• Length: 33" by Height: 4" - Quantity: 4
• Length: 1.5" by Height: 4" - Quantity: 4

Plus: 1.5" and 2.5" wood screws.

Tools I used: Drill (for pilot holes), Impact Driver, Awl, Pencil, Measuring Tape, Persephone Pale Ale.

NB: Photo is of the pile of lumber I started with, not the finished cut pieces.

Step 2: Basic Dimensions

Open the Sketchup file to get detailed dimensions if this screenshot isn't sufficient.

Step 3: Uprights & Plywood Strip

Start with the 14.5" uprights and fix one of the 33" plywood strips across, ensuring it is square.

Step 4: 3.5" Dividers

Install the 3.5" dividers with two screws each to create 4 gaps of equal size: 6 3/8"

Add the 1.5" spacers with a single screw in the centre of the piece.

Step 5: Lower Panel

Install the 33" plywood strip on the other side of the top dividers to complete that section.

Install a third 33" plywood strip to the bottom part, against the 1.5" plywood spacers (note that the single screw used to hold the 1.5" spacer allows for two screws to install the 33" strip that go through the 1.5" spacer and into the 2x4.)

Not pictured, complete the process as before with the 4.75" dividers on the bottom strip.

Step 6: Legs

Install 18" legs with 2x2.5" screws in each (from underneath). Note that the upright assembly is not centred on this piece. Legs extend 4" at the back and are longer in the front. to accommodate the angled piece that some next.

Step 7: Diagonal Supports

Using 4x2.5" screws, attach the 16" diagonal supports to the 14.5" uprights.

Attach the diagonal supports to the legs with 2x2.5" screws (1 from the top, 1 from the underside).

Step 8: Moment of Truth

Time to test your new ski rack! If the dimensions work out well, it'll be tight to get the pair of skis through the top part of the rack. The lower part should accommodate them well and nothing should fall over. If needed, you can include the boot tray underneath to catch any snowmelt.

Comments

[christopher.c.holtz]

I just finished making this tonight. It was just what I needed. Simple, sturdy, movable. No strange supplies or tools needed. A great project!

[harmon_dan]

Awesome - I'm glad the design could help you. :-)

[Thizelle]

Made this rack this weekend. Very easy to put together but it barely fit my K2 Obsethed. Too fat I guess. I had Cabin Brewing's Super Saturation Pale Ale to help me.

[harmon_dan]

Wow, they must be some big fat spoons! Thanks for your comment, I'll check out the beer next time I visit Calgary.

[Jean-PhilippeR3]

Great rack, thanks for sharing. I will build one this week end. Question for you, why did you put spacers on the bottom part?

[harmon_dan]

The give a little more space for twin tip skis so that there is no constant pressure on them during storage. For my G3 skis, pictured, I hold them together to put them through the top part and then release when in the bottom part. If you have different types of skis, I would suggest making alterations to the spacing to suit your needs.

Thanks for the question, please post a photo of your completed project with details of any design changes in case others may benefit from the improvements.

[davelefe]

Just made one of these - thanks for taking the time to post this, I've been looking for something like this for a while.

[harmon_dan]

No problem, thanks for your comment. Did you make any improvements to the design? If so, please share them here.

[mattfl0]

Great design. I built one and it works great! One thing I added was 1.5" pipe insulation on each side of the top slot. Didn't even need to glue it. Holds the skis a bit tighter and is gentler on the top sheets. Thanks again!

[harmon_dan]

Awesome! Glad to hear it and thanks for your comment. If you have any photos, please add them to this discussion thread so others can check out your improvements/additions to the design.

[mattfl0]

My dividers aren’t evenly spaced. If I were I to build another, which I may have to someday to hold more skis, I may eliminate the dividers altogether. This would also serve to make it snowboard friendly. The bottom side rails may also be unnecessary with the addition of the pipe insulation which holds the skis a little more upright.

I discovered only after building a dowel rod based storage rack, that skis really shouldn’t be stored with the tips or camber in a loaded position. They should be neutral. So, I was glad to find this design. Works great. Skis are completely neutral.

[harmon_dan]

Looks great. Interesting info on ski storage too - I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing.

[achudacoff]

I made it! And with 100% scrap, not a cent spent. I only had 1/4 plywood, so I had to adjust the bottom spacers, but I think it turned out great. Thank goodness plywood is flexible.

[harmon_dan]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing, it looks great.

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Nice design. I could use a rack like this for garden tools.

[harmon_dan]

Thanks, I'm sure it would work well - probably worth adjusting the divider sizes to meet your needs.