How to Build the Ultimate Shot Ski

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 24, 2014 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

Though the origins of the shot ski may remain murky (there are rumors of one being created at University of British Columbia; others give Austria the credit), like all great inventions, the shot ski continues to evolve. The first versions most likely involved simply placing shot glasses on a ski, relying on a complicated dance of balance and timing to quaff the shot. However, new ideas and technologies continue to emerge, giving the creators of the humble shot ski free reign to dabble in different mediums and construction techniques.

Now, there are a multitude of various kits that you can buy, giving you the tools to create shot skis with little ski boots or utilizing heavy-duty brackets that are affixed with industrial grade glue (no drilling required). Heck, there’s even one that uses Velcro, which I think looks suspiciously like one of my old techniques, but hey—I’m not a trademark lawyer, so who knows?

However, I still believe that a home-made shot ski illustrates that not only do you have the smarts, tools and willpower to create your own instrument of multi-shot shooting, but you also have the ability to look humble when friends admire your handiwork. With that in mind, here’s the latest, greatest technique for a bad-ass shot ski: no drill required.

Supplies and cost:

• An old ski: Should be free. Ask friends or check recycling areas at a resort.
• A Sharpie®: Don’t you already have one?
• Shot glasses (4): $3.97
• Two packages (4 in each package) of extra strength circle magnets: $2.47 apiece/$4.94 total.
• One package of Gorilla Glue’s Gorilla Grip*: $4.84
• Liquor of choice (For the shooting)

PHOTO CREDIT: Author

Instructions for Assembling

Supplies needed: minimal
Difficulty: Easier than falling off a chairlift.

1. Find a ski or pester your friends until they give up an old stick (thanks, Matt). If they’re good friends, they’ll have already removed the binding.
2. If they’re crappy friends, remove the binding.
3. Find a good place with a decent amount of workspace. Is it raining? Use the tops of your washer and dryer, like I did.
4. Measure the ski and employ your superior math skills to determine four points equidistant from each other, leaving enough room at the tip and tail for proper gripping. Or, if you haven’t employed math skills since high school, eyeball some spots that look good. It’s your shot ski, dang it—you do you.
5. Apply the glue to the base of the shot glasses. Read the directions as some glue likes a bit of air to get its super-strong grip going.

PHOTO CREDIT: Author

6. Attach a circular, heavy duty magnet to the base of each shot glass. Let dry. Test holding ability on the lid of your washer.

PHOTO CREDIT: Author

7. Apply the heavy-duty glue to the remaining four magnets**, then affix the magnets to the locations you marked on the ski. Let dry.

8. Place each shot glass onto the magnets on the ski.

PHOTO CREDIT: Author

9. Gather your friends. Fill each shot glass with your beverage of choice. Clear liquids are easier to get out of your clothing

10. Deploy the shot ski. Repeat as necessary.

PHOTO CREDIT: Author

*Apparently you need to prove that you’re older than 18 years of age to buy glue at Walmart. Sigh. Kids these days.

**Note: The magnets I bought stuck to each other no matter what side was turned up. However, some magnets have a north and south pole, so make sure that you test the attraction of the magnets before you glue.

WARNING: It is possible to buy a pre-made shot ski. However, doing so is like wearing jorts and snowblades on the slopes: it’s legal, but not advisable.