DIY Lift Inspection

If this were an ideal world, every ski area would have an experienced expert do a vibration analysis on its lifts at the end of one season, and at the beginning of the next. There would be transducers mounted at the top of the towers and, while the lift was running, the analyst would just plug in at the base of the tower, record some data, and then describe what maintenance was needed. Or, the resort might use solar cells to power a wireless setup that could be monitored remotely.

And at least once per year, there would be an oil analysis on critical equipment, lift drives, snowmaking pumps, and groomers. Oh, and all equipment would be made with corrosion-proof materials.