Loading
In regard to your article “Loading and Unloading: An Unwanted Diversity,” speaking as a skier, one of the worst things that can happen is to get on a chair and have the bottom of the chair slam down on the back of your boot tops. Not only is this a bit uncomfortable, but it could be very hazardous to the beginner skier, as well as the expert.
I would like to offer a suggestion to start the discussion on this subject. The distance between the out ramp and the bottom of the chair should never be less than the height of a large boot (size 12 or larger). This measurement would have to be done with two average size people in the chair. Then, by adding two or three inches as a buffer zone, (for heavier than average people and rope sag) you could effectively eliminate a great majority of this problem. An area would only have to measure this once. Once the distance is determined, a marked stick or other measuring device could be used. When out ramp work is done in the morning, the lift attendant could work the ramp so that the distance from the bottom of the chair and the ramp is consistent throughout.
Leonard W. Ely III
Snow marketing
Sir:
The most urgent job of the ski industry is now unquestionably to educate borderline skiers about the wonders of snowmaking and grooming. Think about it!! We have reached the stage when a poor season is impossible, unless skiers don’t ski because they don’t see snow in their backyard. Think about this past season. Skiing was beautiful in Vermont, but only avid skiers, educated skiers took advantage. Educated skiers alone cannot keep the ski industry healthy, unless more skiers become educated.
Ski shops, ski manufacturers, ski instructors and ski areas should join forces in an intensive program to make people aware that weather is now a minor influence on the sport of skiing…or should be. If enough money and interest is generated, possibilities include news media, radio, television or direct mail as vehicles.
Let’s face it…lack of skier participation is the only thing that can kill us now. The weather cannot. Let’s spread the word…Together!
All interested parties please contact:
Ross Nichols
Ski Haus, Inc.
Brewster, N.Y.
More X-Country
Sir:
Could we see more articles in the future on Cross-Country area management, trail preparation, cross-country instruction and economics of cross-country skiing developments?
John McEachern
NorQuest, Delta, B.C.
Glad you asked. Yes, see page 38 ff for starters. The very knowledgeable Bob Woodward will be writing a column on various aspects of cross-country in each issue of SAM starting with the September issue. And there will be more features also.
— Ed.
