How to Build a Ski Ramp

Building your own ski ramp or jump has many benefits. It is a fun activity to do with friends when conditions may otherwise be terrible. It is a venue to practice new moves and tricks without the audience of a terrain park. It is also adds a change to your ski routine if you are typically a racer or someone who skis groomers. Whatever the reason, building a ski ramp is a beneficial way to spend the day.

Things You'll Need

  • Snow
  • Shovels
  • Friends
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a good location. Look for an area to build your ramp. Start with snow conditions. You want someplace with fresh snow as it is softer than snow that has been packed down by other skiers. Visualize the jump in your potential building area. Make sure there is a steep enough slope to have enough speed to hit the ramp. Make sure a long landing zone is available with no obstacles, such as trees or rocks.

    • 2

      Determine the size of your ramp and start digging. Try to transport snow from the sides and back of the ramp rather than the front, as that will create a dangerous divot right before the ramp begins. You can lay skis or snowboards behind the ramp for stability and then build the snow against the boards.

    • 3

      Alternate digging and packing down the snow. Snow needs to be compacted highly to be of a proper density to ski off of. Every 20 or 30 minutes, pack down the snow with shovels and by walking on it to get it as firm as possible. At this point, you will only have a lump of snow that doesn't look like a jump.

    • 4

      Shape the ramp when enough snow is in the right place. Take extra care that the lip is flat, wide and at the right angle. This requires a fair bit of guesswork but visualization will help. Take a few runs coming into the ramp with speed but coming to a stop before riding off. This will give you a good idea of the amount of speed needed and any adjustments you need to make.