Cones For Snowmaking
A new protective shield for snowmaking air and water hydrants has been announced by Thomas L. Thompson, president of Thompson Cone Company, 1531 Monrovia Ave., Newport Beach, Ca., 92663. The new device, which is guaranteed for 5 years, completely covers the hydrants, keeping them free of snow and ice. It protects against vandals and snow burial, and offers a smooth, yielding surface to the errant skier.
Molded in one piece of high density polyethylene, the Thompson Snow Shield incorporates a number of design features which according to the manufacturer, provide maximum protection for the hydrant water, air or electrical connections. “It can be dropped, kicked or tumbled and will survive almost any abuse except being run over by a Sno-cat,” says inventor, Tom Thompson.
Thompson Snow Shields are jet black cones with rounded tops, red banded for high visibility, and feature handles, which can also be used for tying down. They can be slotted to accommodate above ground piping. Height is 60 inches with a diameter of 19 inches at the tangent of the hemispherical top and 27 inches in diameter at the base. Wall thickness is approximately 0.20 inches. They weigh 27 lbs. and nest for shipment or storage.
Designed by the makers of the Thompson Carrier Rescue Toboggan, the Thompson Snow Shield is guaranteed for five years of normal use. It is priced at $95 f.o.b. Newport Beach, Calif. with a discount for quantities over 25.
50-cent lockers
William A. Cancilla, president of Ski Safe Company, world-wide distributors of coin and non-coin operated ski racks and lockers, has announced that for the 1975-76 season they will be introducing a new 50c (2 quarters) locking for racks and lockers. Some of the company’s 26 concession-operated resorts will have the first installations this coming season.
Mr. Cancilla said that this is a step the company has been fighting for a long time, but they have been charging 25c since 1955, and within that period the cost of manufacturing ski racks and lockers has more than tripled. Cancilla feels that the 50c charge will be very common within the next three or four years.
The Red Rumbler
Seasons of Leisure, 2506 Northland Drive, Mendota Heights, Minn. 55120, is marketing an amusement device called the Red Rumbler. It is designed to be installed on grades of 10-20 per cent, and uses gravity to provide a ride for the customer, who slides down the track on a special sled called Snowaski.
The photo shows the Red Rumbler at Spirit Mt., Duluth, Minn. Runs of track that have no curved sections generally require no substructure, according to the manufacture. Curved sections will require some banking in the area of the curve.
The Snowaski is manufactured from polyethylene, and the coating of the slide is a “specially formulated and applied polymeric substance on a steel backing.” Although the Red Rumbler may be used dry with “no abnormal wear,” the use of water on the surface will lessen the already low friction between sled and slide, will reduce wear and will increase velocity.
