The top off-season toys and activities come in a wide range of pursuits. Look for mountainboarding to be in demand since getting worldwide recognition during last summer’s Gravity Games. There are also off-road scooters, sleds, large-wheeled in-line skates, bikes without pedals and other wheeled contraptions ready for rent to thrill-seekers as well as to the less adrenaline-charged set.
Although resorts may be wary of high-adrenaline, customer-controlled thrill rides because of inherent hazards, manufacturers say safety is a high priority with regard to these products and most vehicles have reportedly undergone years of testing and pilot programs at resorts. Manufacturers also typically recommend flagging or removing hazardous obstacles from open slopes and offering helmets, kneepads, elbow pads, wrist guards and gloves to customers.
When considering investing in a summer-toy program, you can replicate your typical winter rental program or offer pricing at 60 to 70 percent of winter products to get customers interested. Special events and promotions also can be organized with manufacturers to generate interest. Because most companies listed in our roundup are relatively new, many don’t have set rental programs, but are eager to work with resorts to help organize start-up programs. In general, wholesale pricing is offered and sometimes additional discounting is available.
Crosskate
The Crosskate is one of the newest summer toys, offering a skate/ski experience down dry slopes. It was created by a crew of outdoor enthusiasts looking for a way to spice up their cross-training regimen. “The experience going downhill is like carving—just like you would get using the latest shaped-ski designs,” says inventor and CEO James Page. But the all-terrain skates can also give the sensation of cross-country skiing when used on level or gently sloping terrain. Crosskates have heavy-duty 10-inch inflatable tires designed to only roll forward and a lockable free-heel binding to aid in climbing hills. Descending is smooth and controlled because of a unique swivel steering system and a hand-activated disk brake.
Programs for resorts will be negotiated individually. The company is interested in forming resort partnerships and plans to have a rep team to work with resorts on training, program organization and demo days. Existing terrain can be used, though Page recommends manually packing down slopes for ideal riding, adding that it’s also good to have delineated trails that zig-zag down slopes. Information: (413) 586-7132. www.crosskate.com
Diggler
Also called the Original Mountain Scooter, the Diggler is a hybrid vehicle born of snowboarding, mountain biking and skateboarding. It is designed to negotiate long, steep trails at high speeds and features a cro-moly frame, mountain bike brakes and upright handlebars. It rolls on a pair of BMX wheels using wide, knobby tires and the standing platform is positioned below the axles for balance and stability. It also has the Diggler Jib Plate, a skid plate molded to the under-side of the frame for slides and grinds on logs and other objects. Also available is the new Cement Mixxer, a lightweight freestyle model geared to urban environments and paved skate parks.
Currently offered at Vail, Snowmass and Winter Park, Colo., Mammoth Mountain, Calif., and Park City, Utah, Diggler is set to be in about two dozen resorts this summer, according to Peter Berridge, Diggler’s director of communications. Diggler’s buying program offers rates with a 40 percent profit margin. There are no long-dating terms and everything is COD. “We’re a start-up company,” explains Berridge, who emphasizes that a Diggler goes for about a half to one-third of what a mountain bike costs and resorts can rent them for the same rate as a full-suspension bike. “It’s definitely a money maker and it’s much easier and less intimidating than a mountain bike to ride.” Information: (707) 775-2452. www.diggler.com
Insane Toys
This well-established French company distributes its popular Snowscoot (a bike on snowboards) in several countries including Canada. Insane Toys offers two models of the Dirtmonster ($1,250 retail), described as a mountain bike with fat ATV-like wheels, for summer fun. The products are available to resorts for rental purposes at about 38 percent of retail. Information: (011) 33 450-89-2065. www.snowscoot.com
Mongoose/Hyline
Mongoose All-Terrain Boards incorporate elements of snowboards and mountain bikes in an off-road skateboard. They are a hit at more than 36 ski areas in Japan, according to Evan Lipstein, president and founder of Hyline, which licenses the name Mongoose from the bicycle manufacturer of the same name. All boards feature brakes and inflatable tires so riders can customize tire pressure: higher for faster speeds, lower for slower speeds. Seven different models range from $165 to $299 retail. Mongoose offers protective pads and helmets as well. There are two basic styles: with or without cro-moly steel frames. The new UniCamb 117 has a reverse-camber deck for freestyle riding. Framed models come in 117, 132 and 152cm lengths and feature maple decks, suspensions, high-impact hubs, leashes and anatomically shaped foot-bar binding systems. There are two junior-sized models and tool kits and instructional videos are available. Mongoose offers comprehensive resort programs and will train instructors to teach all-terrain boarding. The company will help resorts design terrain parks and track areas, but emphasizes that its boards can be used on virtually any skiresort and mountain bike terrain. Mongoose recommends a per-day rental charge of between $15 and $30, including accessories. Mongoose also offers a comprehensive “Release of Liability Waiver” to resorts to pass on to their customers to sign for indemnification against law suits. Information: (212) 688-5600. www.mongooseatb.com
MountainBoard Sports
This company, founded in 1993, manufactures high-performance, all-terrain mountain boards. All MountainBoard Sports (MBS) products are fitted with easy-in, easy-out Ergobar bindings and come in a variety of models for freestyle, freeride, boardercross, downhill, all-mountain, kite boarding and wind boarding pursuits. The boards have nine-inch off-road tires and feature spring-based suspension systems and MBS’s proprietary V brake. “Now, even beginners can start at the top and enjoy a long carve down the mountain,” says Jason Lee, co-founder.
New models include the Blade ($399 retail), a freeride unibody board relying on its glass fiber-wrapped wood core to provide strength and help absorb bumps. The new Razor ($369 retail) is designed for freestyle, freeride and trick riding. The new Spinal Tap ($349 retail) is designed for larger riders and features a tubular cro-moly frame with dual-sprung trucks. For kids, the new Cricket ($169 retail), is for riders under 100 pounds. Continuing models include the Grasshopper ($269 retail), a beginner to intermediate board and the Charger ($349 retail), designed for larger riders who like to go fast. The company will train resort employees to teach mountainboarding and will work with resorts on designing terrain parks and marketing programs for clinics, races and other events. Advertising materials are also available. Information: (719) 884-1000. www.mountainboard.com
Outback Mountainboards
These all-terrain boards use BMX-style tubular cro-moly frames with 12.5-inch off-road inflatable tires. The unique feature of Outback Mountainboards is the three-wheeled design. The boards are built of eight-ply maple decks using a shock-absorbent topsheet. Other features include a spring-damped steel tie rod connecting the two front wheels, a foot-activated rear-wheel brake with a replaceable polymer braking pad, polymer toe hook bindings and an integrated rear grab handle for pulling the mountainboard around. Snowboard strap bindings with a ratchet adjustment can be added. Various tires are available for grass, dirt or pavement.
The company has a complete rental package for resorts that includes mountainboards, banners, clothing and POP items. Credit terms are available upon approval and discount terms are built into its “value packages.” Discounts increase for larger packages and orders can also be customized to suit the specific needs of any resort. Service training, course development, and product set up and displays are also offered. Outback also organizes pro demonstrations and contests. Information: 1-888-EAT DIRT. www.outbackmountainboards.com
Tera+
France-based Tera+ recently introduced the Shisterbike BDD, an all-terrain bicycle without pedals designed for all types of terrain including rock-, grass- or snow-covered slopes. It is already being used at a number of European mountain resorts, according to the company. The five-foot-long bike weighs 57 pounds and looks similar to motorized four-wheel ATVs. It features two low-pressure, oversized, high-traction tires designed to absorb all types of terrain and has a hydraulic disc-brake system to allow aggressive riding and precise braking. The bike can be mounted on chairlifts and ropeways. The frame is made primarily of aluminum and, instead of pedals, has a foot rest adjacent to the rear axle. Pricing for Shisterbikes depends on quantities purchased. Tera+ says it will provide demonstrations. Information: (312) 222-1235. www.teraplus.com
Thrill Sleds
The Thrill Sled stands alone in this group as the only vehicle designed to be ridden lying down. It offers four-season mountain sledding for the family market. These sleds feature full suspensions and a four-wheel braking system using bicycle components with bicycle-style steering. Thrill Sleds have 10-inch pneumatic tires for responsive handling and control, hydraulic brakes designed for quick stops, lightweight fiberglass bodies and impact-resistant, aerodynamic fenders. Also available is a snow-conversion kit for winter use that incorporates a patent-pending braking system.
The manufacturer offers several resort programs including sled-service training, staff training and marketing support. Thrill Sleds will also help organize a competitive mountain sledding program, help set up a retail sales program and organize hands-on skill instruction and clinics. Information: (802) 365-4961. www.thrillsleds.com
Turfboard
Turfboard, a six-year-old company, offers all-terrain boards that can be used with snowboard bindings. “The Turfboard is designed for use on the entire ski hill from top to bottom—not just on bike paths or specially groomed trails,” says J.R. Boisclair, the company’s business manager. Boisclair says Turfboards are very easy to use and don’t require resorts to make any terrain modifications. They have unique features like independent, four-wheel suspension for balance and stability no matter the changes in terrain and a hand-activated dual-drum brake that slows two wheels at the same time. Specific models include the Turf DeVille ($699 retail), a full-suspension all-terrain cruiser. It features a carbon-fiber deck shaped like a snowboard that is mounted above the wheels. It has a hand-held brake and tubeless pneumatic natural rubber tires suitable for use on pavement, gravel, grass, tall weeds and dirt. The new Double-D ($599 retail) features a deck that is actually suspended between the front and rear wheels at a level slightly above axle height for a lower center of gravity. The design allows for a more aggressive style of riding and provides stability at higher speeds. The frameless aluminum/Plywood deck has a standard 4×4 snowboard binding pattern. It has two Z-brackets, made of anodized aircraft aluminum, so riders can change the height of the deck or the turning characteristics of the board with a simple change of accessories. As part of its resort package, Turfboard sends a rep to instruct employees on how to use and maintain the product. Prices are generally wholesale, although additional discounts may be granted depending on volume ordered. Information: (435) 940-1052 or 1-888-535-TURF www.turfboard.com
