A toolbox makes the perfect housing for an on-mountain phone. PHONE IN A TOOLBOX About 10 years ago, the housing for the phone in the operator station of the upper terminal for one of Buffalo Ski Club’s (N.Y.) chairlifts was deteriorating. It needed to be replaced with something that would protect the phone from the elements and also keep the phone easily accessible for the lift operator. With the phone dimensions in mind, mountain operations supervisor DJ Panarello didn’t need to look far for the solution: a hard-plastic Craftsman toolbox that the ski area had on hand. Panarello cut a square hole in the bottom of the toolbox for the phone wires and mount, connected the toolbox vertically to the 4”x4” post used for the pedestal with four 3-inch screws, mounted the phone, and sealed the connection with silicone. The toolbox has served as an effective, accessible, easy, and inexpensive solution ever since. Special thanks to Dave Moulton with MountainGuard for sharing this idea and providing the photos.
