Idea #1: Sled Lift
They found it in this clever idea—a conveyor system typically found in automobile paint shops. This particular system, manufactured by Pacline, is zinc-plated for outdoor applications. The two-inch track contains hooks for holding the sleds, which are spaced to match the timing of the ski lift chairs. The conveyor system is powered by a 1/2 HP 120-volt single-phased motor and comes ready to install. The cost is estimated at $100 per foot.
For more information, please check Pacline’s Website: http://www.pacline.com or call Paul Geddes, Pacline, at 800-955-8860.
Idea #2: Car Rally
In the never-ending search for off-season ideas, Ski Roundtop, Pa., tapped into an interesting side business by hosting sports car clubs.
Last summer, the area rented their unused parking lot to local Audi/Porsche clubs for parking lot rallies. Roundtop made a few easy bucks and befriended a bunch of car buffs who very well may have bought a few ski lift tickets this winter.
The car clubs set up education courses consisting of placing traffic cones in a slalom fashion, through the parking lot. One by one, the drivers practice negotiating the pylons and finish the course by trying to stop with their front wheels exactly between two cones. After completion of the course, each driver is critiqued.
Roundtop served up lunch for the visitors, where the resort made sure plenty of brochures were available.
Idea #3: Snowmobile Hoist
Most cross-country ski areas do their grooming with the help of snowmobiles. Winding Trails in Farmington, Conn., is no exception. The problem was that Winding Trails’s supervisor, Bryan Martin, was tired of having to get on and off the snowmobile for every hill and sharp corner in order to raise and lower the track setter. He found a solution in this great idea that uses parts from a local auto parts store.
First, Martin attached a 12-volt one-ton hoist to the tow bar of the groomer. Next, he ran the hoist cable through pulleys to the rear of the groomer and connected the cable end to the track setter. An automobile battery on the rear deck of the snowmobile provided the power. To do the power switching (reversing the current for up and down movements), Ford automobile starter solenoids were installed under the snowmobile seat that are activated by a toggle switch on the handlebar.
Now Martin only needs to get off his snowmobile for gas and coffee. Total cost for the project was about $250. If you have any questions or comments, please give Bryan a call at 860-676-0403.
