One Sign Does It All
Some days, Toggenburg, N.Y., needs to open and close the ski trails almost by the hour. It’s a big job to carry “trail closed” signs to the various runs, particularly in the evenings for night skiing, only to have to move them again the next morning. To spare themselves this arduous task, the mountain crew created a dual-purpose sign with room for the name of the trail, an arrow and a simple sliding cover.
The sign is made of a 4-inch by 18-inch tin sheet painted yellow with the word closed painted in red on one side and an arrow on the other. The cover piece is made of a 5-inch by 9-inch sheet with the top and bottom edges bent back to form a channel. This piece is also painted yellow with the trail name stenciled on it. Simply slide it left or right to open or close the trail.
The signs are posted on poles or trees out of arm’s reach to prevent skiers from tampering with them. Toggenburg’s ski patrol uses bamboo poles to toggle the signs open or closed. Made locally, the signs cost about $18 each.
Bridger Bowl Flasher
What ski area would not wish for a beacon on top of the highest building in town to send a signal every time it snows? That is what Bridger Bowl has, thanks to GM Terry Abelin who installed an airport runway beacon on the roof of the Baxter Hotel in Bozeman, Mont., 15 miles from the ski area. In the days before the beacon, there was no way for skiers to know the true weather conditions on the mountain. The resort could get six inches of fresh powder while the weather in town would be cloudy or rainy. Now, whenever Bridger Bowl gets two inches or more the light is turned on and flashes for 24 hours before being turned off. Most skiers then call the snow phone for specifics.
The beacon costs $200. A telephone and a $100 modem activate the light when the correct code numbers are entered remotely from the caller’s phone.
Measuring Chair Swing
In the July 2001 issue of SAM, Idea number two described a way to conveniently measure chair swing. Here is a similar method for measuring chair swing made with stiff wire, bamboo and duct tape. The versatility of this jig enables simultaneous measurement of a combined 15-degree lateral and 15-degree longitudinal chair swing. A rectangular-shaped jig may also be used to check other specific, horizontal carrier clearance requirements as stipulated in ANSI B77.1-1999, Section 4.1.1.4.2, Line Clearances.
When checking clearances between carriers and line towers and other structures, jig users should first familiarize themselves with the ANSI requirements of sections 4.1.1.4.2 Horizontal Clearances and 4.1.1.4.2.3, Terminal Clearances. Make sure the plumb is first centered within the symmetrical jig at rest before taking swing measurements toward the inside or outside of the lift.
If you have questions or a dispute concerning what is meant by a sub-clause in the ANSI B77 Standard, contact the administrator at 720-963-4210. —Ross Stevens
