Or does everyone have a rack?

 

Yes. You fold down the rear seats and pass it them through from the back and inbetween the front seats (if they're still too long).
I guess that would work for up to two sets of skis.

I used to this until I happen to acquire a set of roof mount ski racks that have pads that mount on the edge of the sunroof and have tie downs on the weather strip. They work great and only cost me $3.00CDN at a garage sale.

 

If you do decide to get a rack solution instead, consider the MINI-FINI sport link. VERY high quality design, and the sport link can be installed on your MINI by a MINI dealer (it's such good quality, MINI made it an official accessory!). After that, you can buy whatever attachments you want... skis, bike, spare tire, tow ball...

Best of all, when you aren't using it, you can take the attachments off, and it just looks like a couple of extra exhaust tips (or... machine guns, oil slick, etc). Much nicer than having mounts installed into your roof.

 

I have the OEM rack and it is great. The problem with putting the skis inside is not fitting them, but the fact that they end up right near the shifter. Makes it kind of rough on your elbow...

 

Anyone have a pic of skis down the middle of the MINI? I normally use 185-190 and wonder if they'd fit.

 

Since you can fit an 8' board from the driver's side rear to the passenger footwell, you can fit even a 210+ ski.

 

I had problems shifting and yep, it rubs your arm...ouch!