Going the ghetto route is for sure doable- you just need to replicate what a vise does and what a stable work bench does. Using an old desk or junker table will work for sure, and you can just use wooden blocks to prop your skis up.
While that can do the job and get you by, nothing will ever compete with having a nice work bench and a good vice set up. Having the proper tools is an investment, but that also means you will have them for a long time, and they make the job go soooo much easier. Once you buy the proper tools (for anything) you will be super glad you did.