How to Change Your Skateboard Into a Snowboard

Skateboarding is an extreme sport that shares common traits with snowboarding.

For many extreme sports enthusiasts, skateboarding ends when snow begins to fall from the sky. When winter takes away the pleasure of skateboarding, there is a simple trick to turn your skateboard into a useable snowboard. By making this transformation, you now have an outside activity very similar to skateboarding that was created with inexpensive material and little time.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Marker
• Utility knife
• Bolt cutters (optional)
• Candle

Instructions

1. 

   The trucks are the metal pieces that secure and hold the wheels.

   Unscrew the trucks and risers from the skateboard. There are four screws for each truck and riser, eight screws total. The trucks are the metal objects that hold the wheels, and the risers are the plastic pieces that separate the trucks from the wood.

2. Find out which foot is your lead foot. The foot you step forward with is your lead foot. This will let you know where to position your feet on the board. Use the marker to mark where your feet are comfortable.

3. Remove the grip tape from the spots where your feet will be placed. This can be done with a utility knife. Apply pressure, make the cut, and peel the grip tape off of the board.

4. Take the risers that were previously removed and place them on the top side of the board. Align the holes in the board with the holes in the riser on the top side of the board so that the bolts can be inserted. The bolt head should be on the bottom side of the board as to prevent friction while riding.

5. Tighten the nuts on the protruding threaded end of the bolt. This should be on the top side of the board. Having the risers on the top of the board will give you an area for your foot to not slip. If the bolt is protruding too much, use bolt cutters to cut the bolt flush with the nut.

6. Apply wax to the bottom of the board to ensure a slick surface so the board will move freely on the snow. Finding a candle around the house will be the simplest way to do this. Rub the candle all over the bottom side of the board. You can now use your homemade snowboard.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have snowboard bindings, simple bindings can be created out of duct tape or velcro. This can be done by placing your feet on the board and by creating the arch of the binding around the shape of your feet. Make sure the binding is snug, but also loose enough to remove your feet. Use an old skateboard that you do not plan on turning back into a working skateboard because it will be irreversible.

• Snowboarding, like any sport, can be dangerous if not supervised or practiced safely. Helmets and other protective gear should be worn while snowboarding. If small children are present, power tools should be kept out of their reach. Runaway snowboards can be extremely dangerous when sharing the slopes with other people. Keep your snowboard under control at all times.

References

• Skateboarding UK: Turn Your Skateboard Into A Snowboard