How to Build a Ski Cabinet for Storing Skis

Skiing is an enjoyable, challenging and exhilarating winter sport, but it can lead to an accumulation of various equipment. Many skiers have multiple pairs of skis for different types of snow, destinations or seasons. Equipment can pile up in corners of the house or garage and tends to get in the way during the off-season. A ski storage cabinet can help organize multiple pairs of skis and keep them in one handy location. You can build a cabinet at home to keep the project affordable.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape or yardstick
  • Wood
  • Wooden dowel
  • Safety glasses
  • Saw
  • Screws or nails
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Level
  • Drill
  • Rubber mallet
  • Hinges and hardware
  • Paint (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1
      Measure the length and width of skis to determine cabinet size.

      Determine the measurements of your storage cabinet. For the height, measure the longest pair of skis and add three inches for extra space. For the width, put a pair of skis with backs together and measure the widest point, which should be the area with the bindings. Multiply this width times the number of skis that will be stored in the cabinet and allow approximately two inches between each pair. This will be the total width of the back and front of the cabinet. The cabinet's depth can vary depending on its location and any other equipment, such as poles, that you plan to store. If you are storing only skis, a cabinet 10 or 12 inches deep should do.

    • 2
      A 2-by-4 piece of lumber will be the reinforcement from which to hang the skis.

      Purchase the necessary wood. Sometimes home improvement stores or lumberyards will cut the wood for you, or you can cut it at home using a saw. Make sure to purchase two matching pieces for the front and back of the cabinet, and two matching pieces for the sides. One of the front/back pieces will be cut in half to make the cabinet doors. Two top and bottom pieces will be the same depth as the others. Also purchase a piece of 2-by-4 about an inch narrower than your cabinet, and a dowel rod to cut into smaller pieces about the width of your ski tips. You will use two small dowel pieces to hang each pair of skis.

    • 3

      Purchase hardware and accessories. You'll need sturdy hinges for the cabinet doors. Assuming the height of the cabinet is at least 5 feet, a good hinge choice would be a 60-inch continuous (piano) hinge to solidly support the weight of the door. Paint is optional, but can add to the aesthetic appeal of the finished cabinet. Wood stain is also an option. You'll want to purchase some type of door handles; a wide selection of handle options are available for your preferences.

    Assembly

    • 4
      A power screwdriver can be very efficient during cabinet assembly.

      Assemble the basic cabinet frame, without the front door piece. Attach the sides to the back cabinet piece using screws and screwdriver, or hammer and nails. Then attach the top and bottom pieces to the back and sides of the cabinet. After attaching these, the cabinet will look like a large box without a lid if it is lying on its back. Attach the 2-by-4 to the cabinet back near the top. To determine its position, measure a pair of skis (again, with back sides together) from their tips down to where they come together flush. This point on the skis is where they will hang, and you want to allow space for the curved tips above the dowel hangers. Use a level to determine the positioning of the 2-by-4. Secure it to the back of the cabinet, using a screw about every five inches.

    • 5
      When back to back, a pair of skis should hang by their tips between dowel rods.

      Attach the dowel rods. Starting at one end of the 2-by-4, measure inward the width of a pair of skis. This way the skis will be able to hang without the bindings rubbing on the cabinet side. Drill a hole in the 2-by-4 large enough for one of the dowel pieces to fit tightly; tap it in with a rubber mallet. Place another dowel at a distance from the first one about the thickness of a pair of skies back to back; this will most likely be only about an inch. Before continuing to attach more dowels, test out the fit with a pair of skis. With backs together, the skis should fit between the two dowel rods and hang from the curvature of their tips. Continue to drill and attach dowels down the length of the 2-by-4 as needed, making sure to allow space for the bindings between the pairs of skis.

    • 6
      Choose knobs or handles to open cabinet doors.

      Attach the door pieces. Cut the panel for the front of the cabinet into two equal pieces. Attach one of the hinges to one side of the cabinet, while it is lying front side up. Make sure the hinge flexes in the correct direction, so the door opens out. Attach one of the two matching door pieces to the mounted hinge. It is a good idea to have an assistant to hold the door steady as you secure it to the hinge. Repeat this process for the other side. Once the doors are on the cabinet, attach the handles to the front of the doors.

    • 7

      With assistance, stand the cabinet upright. If desired, paint or stain the wood and let it dry according to specifications. Then move it into place and start filling your new ski storage cabinet with pairs of skis, keeping them out of the way and well organized.