Idea #1: Wire Rope Guard Rails
This design used three 1,000-foot lengths of the old haul rope, held in place with 420 3/8-16 zinc-plated U-bolts; the bolts were attached to 188 7-foot long 6-inch diameter steel pipes that were anchored with 20 yards of concrete. Total material cost $5,200.
Idea #2: Parking Lot Shuttle
When Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, Mich., needed a parking-lot shuttle to complement a new quad lift, management did not have to go far. Randy Teichman, the resort’s golf course superintendent, came up with the great idea to combine some discarded chair lift seats from a relocated lift and a snowmobile trailer. Four triple chairs were mounted on a 7 1/2-foot-wide by 12-foot-long trailer and sheeting material from the inside of an enclosed trailer became a roof that was trimmed with six strands of lights and a garland. Snowboard and ski racks were added on the front and back, and a stereo installed for entertainment. A 120-volt ac/12-volt dc Honda generator keeps the shuttle running.
Kelly’s custom trailer of Traverse City built the shuttle for $5,500 with helpful suggestions from Crystal’s lift department. The shuttle is pulled by a 4150-41-hp 4-wheel drive Kubota tractor.
Idea #3: Post Padding
John Murphy, former vice president of Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort, Ohio, sent the following innovative idea for padding posts:
Although no known padding can protect a person from a high-speed impact, fence posts can be padded effectively and inexpensively utilizing the cylindrical foam “noodles” that are popular with kids at swimming pools.
The cylinders are grouped vertically around the post, and secured with nylon ties. While the closed-cell foam resists water absorption and physical abrasion, a vinyl cover can add protection to the foam. The covers can be made of off-the-shelf vinyl seat-cover material and punch-in grommets (1/2-inch or 3/4-inch) that are available at fabric stores. Measure and cut the material to fit around the foam-covered post and install the grommets along both of the vertical edges; about 1 grommet every eight to 12 inches. After attaching the foam cylinders around the post, wrap the cover around the foam so the fabric comes together at the back of the post and secure it with nylon ties through the grommets.
The Noodles come in 4- and 6-inch diameters, are about four feet in length, and cost between $2 and $5 each. They can be purchased at major discount stores.
