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If you live near the mountains, chances are that someone in your area is getting rid of an old pair of skis. And while they may no longer be in the right condition for skiing, they could be the star of an awesome DIY (do it yourself) project.
From the quintessential shot-ski to an Adirondack chair, there are so many creative things you can do with vintage skis. Don’t just let them collect dust in somebody’s basement; break out your toolbox and peruse some fun and relatively easy ways to upcycle them, instead.
The Shot-Ski
Ah, the shot-ski. The star of many fun parties, and a decorative staple in several rustic cabin-style homes. My fiancé and I recently made a shot-ski ourselves (video above), using a pair of ‘90s Atomic downhill skis we bought off Facebook Marketplace. We used this instructional blog post, which had us start by removing the bindings and drilling five indentations into the ski using a Forstner Bit.
Then, we used Gorilla Glue to fix magnets into the indentations, while also gluing magnets to the underside of five shot glasses. Overall, it was easy — the trickiest part was removing the bindings (we didn’t realize they were racing bindings). Needless to say, I’m excited to bring it to my bachelorette party later this month.
Ski Shelf
If you’re working with wooden skis, making a ski shelf might be the project for you. All you’ll need is the vintage skis, ¼-inch wood planks, 1-inch wood stock, a nail gun, and measuring tape. Secure it to the wall with anchors, and you have yourself a wonderful plant holder or bookshelf.
Mounted Wall Rack
Let guests know you’re a skier the second they enter your home by turning an old ski into a mounted wall rack for coats or towels. All you need are about five hooks, nails, and an ample amount of wall space. If horizontal space is limited, orient the ski and hooks vertically, for a hat rack. Or, buy extra-small hooks for mounting coffee mugs.
Ski Chair
Adirondack chairs aren’t only for, well, the Adirondacks. They’re a welcome addition to any backyard, regardless of where you live. DIY-ing a ski chair is certainly trickier than the other projects on this list (and more tools are required), but the outcome is next-level.
You’ll need about seven skis along with untreated lumber for the base, a few different sized screws, sandpaper, paint and brushes, and tape for assembly. Attention to detail, like measurements, is crucial… so make sure you’re adhering to the instructions.
Check out our amateur guide here!Â
Holiday Decorations
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year (aka ski season) by turning old skis into homemade holiday decorations. With the magic of a little spray paint, nails for mounting, some faux greenery, and maybe a bow, you’ll have festive, sustainable décor within just a few easy steps. Too much effort? We’ve heard old ski passes make perfect ornaments!
A Fast Sled
Bring sledding to an entirely new level by upcycling your old skis into a sled. You’ll just need to remove the bindings and fix a wooden board to the top of two skis. Your kids (and you, of course) will be zooming down the neighborhood sledding hill at ridiculously high speeds, so you may want to consider wearing your ski helmet while you’re at it.
Photo Frame
Showcase your favorite ski mountain memories with a DIY ski photo frame. It requires picture frames, skis, hot glue, and optional spray paint. After hot gluing the frames together, you’ll center and hot glue them to the skis. Then, hang it wherever you have enough space. and fill it with a photo of your crew
Bottle Opener
Shots aren’t your thing? Opt for making a beer bottle opener instead. You’ll need an old ski and some lumber, along with access to a planer, sander, stain, polyurethane, nails for mounting, and hardware for the bottle opener itself. This requires some heavy-duty tools, considering you’ll need to cut the ski. But it’s a worthwhile project (and it’s bound to come in handy!).
