Some of the latest and greatest ideas…
#1 SHOW AND TELL
Stevens Pass, Wash., is the proud owner of a new PB 400 Park Bully and wanted to let customers know about it. So, VP of operations Joel Martinez came up with the idea of parking it outside the base lodge on weekends and holidays to let guests have a peek inside—a better option than having it sit inside the maintenance shop all day. With an employee on hand, Stevens allows guest to climb aboard, which has been especially popular with the kids.
#2 ROLL YOUR OWN
When Laura Slezak and Doug Sinsabaugh purchased Mount Pleasant, Pa., eight years ago, they set out to improve guest services and cut expenses. They accomplished both in this clever idea by replacing napkins with paper towels. The towel holder is a recycled ski pole mated to a wood block. One towel dispenser is positioned on each table. Now guests can grab a sheet in seconds. The towels are cheaper per sheet, and the towel holder requires less time to refill than a napkin dispenser.
#3 A BRIDGE TOO FUR?
During the permitting process for an alpine slide, Snowbird, Utah, was asked by the county to remove a section of tracks every night so deer could cross over. Snowbird countered with a proposal to build a bridge for the deer and the idea was accepted. To accomplish this, Snowbird cut a 20-foot-diameter culvert pipe into two parts as shown here. A steel piece was added to the bottom to hold the circular shape in place until is was back-filled. The same concept was used at another location along the slide to allow for a wheeled food cart to cross, and was also used over a stream. Using a halved culvert pipe to make a bridge saved both time and money. A commercial bridge would cost much more.
Send us your great ideas and photos to jenn@saminfo.com and samgeise@ptd.net.
