Check out this year's top picks.

Under cover
For outdoor entertainment, Umbrella Bars USA brings you giant umbrellas from the Austrian company, Meissl. The umbrellas can seat anywhere from 30 to 300 people and are installed within three days by Umbrella Bars USA.

For more information, contact Umbrella Bars USA at (802) 496-7000 or on the web at www.umbrellabarsusa.com.

it’s a lock
Tiburon Lockers, Inc. has now added a newly-engineered electronic locker to its product line. Called the L3, the system is touch screen driven for ease of use. The method of entry, the time period of rentals, the sizing of lockers, and appearance can all be customized. Payment methodology is also customizable; coins, bills, credit cards can be used in any combination (including the use of credit cards only, if desired).

For more information, contact Tiburon Lockers at (201) 880-8469 or visit www.tiburonlockers.com.

too much of a good thing
The folks at TAS (the makers of the Gazex system) now bring you the DaisyBell for avalanche control. The DaisyBell is brought in via helicopter over the zone to be cleaned and launches a hydrogen/oxygen mixture, which is contained in a metal cone, six to 15 feet above the snow cover. All operations are controlled from the helicopter cockpit. According to designers, the explosion of the gas mixture does two things. First, a direct push into the snow cover straight toward the ground is created. Second, it also produces a shock wave that produces an overpressure and then a negative pressure of 25 mbar in a 90-foot radius.

For more information, check out the company’s website at www.groupemnd.com.

Timing is everything
TerraLogic Park Industries, operators of Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, N.J., have entered into a partnership with Freelap SA to be the U.S. distributor of the Freelap product line. The timing system allows athletes, such as skiers, snowboarders, or bike riders, to measure their personal performance progress through the use of a wrist watch and wireless transmitters. The JuniorTX transmitters measure only 13 inches tall and can be transported to any training location. The JuniorTX package, which includes a stopwatch and two transmitters, sells for $429. Extra stopwatches can be purchased separately.

For more information, visit www.freelap-usa.com or e-mail sales@freelap-usa.com.

Push Over
Bobcat Company offers the snowpusher attachment for larger volume jobs. The end wings on the attachment keep snow within the width of the attachment, which comes in 8- and 10-foot widths. The pusher is approved for Bobcat skid-steer loaders, company track loaders, all-wheel steer loaders and the Toolcat. The blade is capable of floating 2.3 inches vertically and tilting 12 degrees with a +/- 4.5-degree oscillation for uneven ground. In addition, the attachment is equipped with abrasion-resistant skid shoes and a rubber cutting edge to protect pavement.

For more information, find a Bobcat dealer at www.bobcatdealer.com or visit www.bobcat.com.

to the other side
Roscoe Bridge introduces a line of ski bridges that incorporate the value of lightweight steel “beam” bridges with the functional look of trussed bridges. According to manufacturers, the side rail trusses accommodate heavy snowpack and promote skier safety. Bridges are designed for widths between 12 and 60 feet and are load rated for vehicles, groomers and heavy snow loads.

For more information, check out www.roscoebridge.com.

heating up
Weco International offers the SunRayz Infrared Radiant Heater to deliver directional heat to people outside. According to manufacturers, the unit is odorless, silent and emits zero light. The smallest unit, the SR-1, has a 10-foot dispersal area and measures 10”x4”x4.” The SR-2 is twice the size, the SR-3 is three times the size and the SR-4 is four times the size of the SR-1. Pricing begins at $305 and the units come with a warranty of 10,000 hours.

For more information, contact Weco International at (810) 686-7221 or visit www.wecointernational.com.

take home the memories
FrostByte Video provides guests with video memories of their day on the slopes and in the terrain parks by installing cameras throughout a resort. Video footage is captured from each camera throughout the day and then FrostByte technology locates and tracks each FrostByte enabled user and a video is assembled using only the portions that feature the rider. The system is sold with all of the necessary software and hardware for resort operation.

For more information, contact FrostByte Video at 1-888-89-FROST or visit www.frostbytevideo.com.

a river runs through it
For resorts that have water activities, Tube Pro now offers five vinyl waterpark and river float tubes, which are manufactured with 30-gauge PVC with welded vinyl seams. All the tubes feature a safety chamber and a Boston valve for the main chamber for quick inflation and deflation. The tubes come in one- or two-person styles and are outfitted with heavy duty rider support handles. A cup holder option is available, as are custom colors and printing.

For more information, contact Tube Pro at 1-866-882-3776 or check out www.tubeproinc.com.

super dry
To help guests dry off quicker in the bathrooms comes the Xlerator. According to manufacturers, the unit is three times faster than conventional dryers and is designed to run on 15-amp service. The Xlerator achieved GreenSpec approval and qualifies for LEED credits because of its savings in energy costs and paper towels.

For more information, contact Xlerator at (617) 795-7330 or visit www.newtondistributing.com.

Do it yourself
EZ Ski introduced the Z Master, which is a free standing, fully automated measuring machine that measures the height, weight, and shoe size (length and width). Customers are asked three questions by the unit: 1) Remove your hat and stand straight, 2) What level skier are you (beginner, intermediate, expert), and 3) Your age group. The answers to these questions, along with automated calculations from the machine, are printed out and brought to the counter. The calculations include boot size and DIN setting. The price for the unit is $9,900.

For more information, contact EZ Ski at (267) 688-3333 or check out the website at www.ez-ski.com.

remote control
Slope Care LLC has improved its radio-controlled slope mower, the Spider ILD01, with the ILD02 version. The mowing width is now 48.5 inches, the tires are wider and the engine is now 23 hp. The two-inch height of cut range is remotely adjustable and the new unit has a speed up to 5 mph. The 715-pound Spider has four wheels and a climbing ability of 40 degrees, 55 degrees with a winch.

For more information, contact Slope Care LLC at (407) 341-9738, or visit www.slopecare.com.

in training
The SBE Group has introduced the SBE Snowsports Training Solutions for rental and retail shop employees. Each package includes full course DVDs, PDF downloads, PDF test papers and answers, PDF templates and charts, master copy certificates, props and equipment lists and presentation folder and pen. The training solution is accredited by over 70 manufacturers of snowsports equipment, clothing and accessories. The program can be used as many times as needed.

For more information, contact SBE at 1-800-423-4439 or check out www.sbe-group.com.

not your mother’s badminton
Speedminton Central has imported Speedminton from Europe and is introducing it to mountain resorts. The game can be played in all seasons and is a cross between tennis, raquet­ball and badminton. Speedminton can be played virtually anywhere and does not need a special court. Speeders travel up to 175 mph for a high-paced activity.

For more information, contact Speedminton Central at (615) 860-4384 or check out www.speedmintoncentral.com for a video.

breathing easier
Oxygen Plus introduced O+Mini, a four-inch hand-held container of 95 percent pure oxygen, as an accessory offering for resort guests. One unit retails for $5, $18 for a three-pack and $35 for a six-pack. The O+Mini is available in peppermint or pink grapefruit flavors and contains approximately 20 breaths (recommended dose is three to five).

For more information, contact Oxygen Plus at 1-866-675-8711 or at www.oxygenplus.com.

a captive audience
Ski Lift Media brings you advertising tubes for chairlifts. The tubes cost $20 and come with all the parts required for installation. A quad chair can handle three tubes. The ski area is responsible for the messaging on the tube, which could include partnerships with local businesses.

For more information, contact Ski Lift Media at 1-866-609-2137 or e-mail info@skiliftmedia.com.

a new release
KneeBinding is said to offer protection against ACL injuries. It adds a new mode of release, lateral twist at the heel, to provide a system that provides lateral and vertical release at both toe and heel. In effect, the heel piece incorporates the same type of lateral release found in a typical state-of-the-art toe. This additional release mode is intended to protect the ACL in a “phantom foot” situation, the most common cause (about 70 percent) of ACL tears. There are two KneeBinding models, M970 with DIN 5-13, and V970 with DIN 3-9.

For more information, call 1-802-760-3026 or visit www.kneebinding.net.