Glove Dryer
The main component is a 3-foot-long by 4-inch-wide piece of PVC left over from a plumbing project. Attached are eight very small half-inch PVC pipes angled like branches on a tree and drilled with half inch holes spaced about an inch apart. An old 120-volt cooling fan is mounted at the bottom of the pipe to force-feed the warm air from the heater through. A discarded electric box cover is mounted on top, forcing the airflow to go up through the side pipes.
Now at noon time the mountain crew park their wet gloves on this ingenious dryer, and when lunch is over, the gloves are warm and dry. And the best part is that the whole thing is made from discarded parts with zip material cost.
Torch Cart
The lift maintenance crew at Hyland Ski and Snowboard Resort, Minn. makes extensive use of ATVs on the mountain, and they often need to bring along a welding torch that never seems to fit on the buddy seat. To solve this problem, Hyland’s Mark Kapala came up with this ATV trailer.
Two-inch-square tubing was used for the main framework, and some 1-3/4 inch tubing for the axle shaft to make it adjustable. The wheels can be moved in for easy maneuvering around the shop, and when used on the hill, the 10-inch wheels are pulled out approximately six inches on each side to add stability for the rough, uneven terrain.
The tank sits on a platform made from 1/4-inch flat metal with 1-inch angle iron wrapped around it for added strength. One-and-a-half-inch flat steel was used to make the cradle that holds the tanks in place with a chain.
It is a good idea to add valve protectors to the tanks. A utility box on the side holds different torch ends along with cleaning tools, etc.
Ice Bar
When you have enough snow, what better way to use it than to build a bar and seating area for your sliding guests? Skiers and snowboarders can hydrate while basking in the sun and enjoying the pretty view from the slope.
John Fry, prolific ski writer/editor and resort tester, resurrects this golden oldie idea from Switzerland recently on one of his many slope stops. Snow is the cheap building material for this profitable outdoor ice bar, and skiers can conveniently slide directly onto the premises to imbibe.
