Blow it Up
Now available in North America is the Airboard, an all-mountain body board for the snow. The board weighs in at six pounds, including the pump, and is small enough to fit into a backpack when deflated. According to designers, the fabric-reinforced I-beam technology and urethane impregnated nylon material create a firm, stable chassis. The board also comes with Profile Runners, which allow the user to steer the unit.
Airboards come in two sizes: Classic and Kids (for ages 6 to 11). The Classic model retails for $269 and the Kids model retails for $149.
For more information, contact Emo-Gear at (510) 225-7000 or e-mail [email protected]. Check out their website at www.airboard.com.
New Tools for Groomers
Hans Hall has just made available the new Titan cleat, the Titan tire-guide and 1600k belting, which was specifically designed for ultra-high horsepower groomers. The 50mm-wide cleat, the re-formulated phenolic tire-guide and the belting are all held together with 14mm fasteners and were tested over the past year and a half on 400+HP groomers at ski areas.
For more information, contact Hans Hall, Inc at (801) 474-1100 or [email protected]. Check out their website at www.hans-hall.com.
Heat on the Go
From Mosebach Manufacturing Company comes the Hotbox, a compact, portable industrial heater. Made of fire-resistant plastic, the Hotbox is 28 inches by 18 inches by 15 inches and comes with a high-velocity centrifugal blower. The heater is powered by electricity and comes with rubber wheels and a retractable handle.
Other features include a three-position thermostat with a temperature range of 40 to 150 degrees F. The Hotbox is available in 240-volt 1 and 3 phase configurations.
For more information, contact Mosebach Manufacturing Co. at 1-866-MAX-HEAT (629-4328) or e-mail [email protected]. Check out their website at www.mosebachresistors.com.
Out of Line
Q-Matic has come up with a way of dealing with long rental lines while increasing revenues in other areas with a customer flow system that allows your rental guests to wait for service in other areas such as your retail stores or restaurants. As guests enter the rental area, they are issued alphanumeric tickets either by a greeter or a kiosk. Text on the tickets, and on signs posted in the area, invite guests to head for the restaurants or shops while they wait for their number to come up on LED displays or television monitors located in those areas.
For more information on Q-Matic, please call 1-800-852-6768. Check out their website at www.q-matic.us.
Parking Lot Hop
MoonDawg introduces the element protection pad, a neoprene mat that protects the user against snow, rocks, dirt, ice and sand. The unit weighs 5 ounces and can be custom imprinted with a ski area’s logo. Guests can take the pad to the beach during the summer, too.
For more product information, contact MoonDawg Industries at (303) 660-8365. Check out their website at www.moondawg.biz.
Dining Out
To help manage restaurant operations, Digital Dining introduces a POS system that features: Icons for identifying menu groups; a choice of 24 tender types with logos for easy recognition; frequent diner programs; built-in receivables; and menu-splitting options. For speed, Digital Dining’s bar screen displays 48 top sellers, which typically account for 80 percent of sales. On-line credit card verification is available, as well. According to designers, the software can also generate hundreds of standard reports, such as sales, receipts, voids, labor, security, sales tax, time and attendance.
For more information, contact Digital Dining at (603) 610-2110 or e-mail [email protected]. Check out the company’s website at www.hdsne.com.
Winter Art
Recycling old equipment into furniture is nothing new, but Skichair and Skibench makes it easier by supplying the frame. The Adirondack chairs, with ottoman, do not need staining or finishing. The benches are made from 100 percent recycled plastics and weigh 50 pounds, which, according to designers, prevents them from being blown over.
For more information, contact Skichair.com at (508) 752-5997 or check out their website at www.skichair.com.
A Closer Look
This high resolution miniature wearable camera system called JonesCam is especially designed for outdoor sports. Users wear the hands-free unit either attached to a helmet or goggle strap, or on a headset available from the manufacturer. The camera is attached to the user’s video recorder, which is carried in a fanny pack or backpack.
The cameras can be rented out to guests who want to record their sliding or they can be used by the ski school for on-the-spot video instruction. They can also be sold and retail for between $195 to $325, depending on accessories and resolution.
For more information, contact Niche Concepts, LLC at (518) 276-2892 or e-mail [email protected].
A Lift On a Lift
From Ski-Tote comes the Lift Leash, which hooks to a snowboard like a normal leash, but for lift rides, the leash comes with a pad that can be pulled up and placed under the rider’s thigh, taking the weight of the board off of the loose leg. The leash retails for $25.99.
For more information, contact Ski-Tote at 1-866-SKI-TOTE (754-8683). Check out their website at www.ski-tote.com.
It Has Its Ups and Downs
Multi-Lifts has added another beginner lift to its line called the Multi-Vertical-Lift. The lift features a 100-percent vertical drive and bull wheel with a single rope, allowing skiers and riders to use the left or the right side, because the return line is located overhead. The wheel can also be raised or lowered as needed, making grooming easier. The new synthetic rope has rubber burls and low speed operation (150 to 200 fpm), according to manufacturers.
For more information, contact Multi Star SkiLift at (570) 473-8545 or e-mail [email protected]. Check out their website at www.geise-engineering.com.
Back to Basics
From The Vermont Sleigh Company come custom wooden signs made from solid pine planking. The old-fashioned signs are 24 inches by 5 inches and are treated with buttermilk paint and routed with lettering and symbols to fit most ski area needs. The signs come in red, green and blue and can contain up to 15 characters per line.
For more information, contact The Vermont Sleigh Company at (802) 775-7674. Check out the company’s website at www.trailsigns.net.
Coming Through
From EntreLogic comes a skier tracking recognition access control system called Skier-Trac. The system features RFID technology with a proprietary antenna configuration for increased reading range. Skier Trac uses intelligent electronics and codes embedded inside paper tickets and laminated plastic cards. The gates have no moving parts and access status can be communicated visually and audibly. Wireless interface of the SkiGate to wireless local area network for tracking is standard. The gates can be configured in 1, 2, 3 and 4 units.
For more information, contact Entrelogic Corporation at (508) 229-1790. Check out their website at www.entrelogic.com.
Keeping Track
For the accessory counter comes the EK Glove Cat, non-rusting hinged clips that attach to the coat sleeve and to the glove. The 5mm braiding is available in 45 color patterns. It is also available in 3mm braiding. Suggested retail price is $6.99.
For more information, contact EK Ekcessories at 1-800-338-2030 or check out their website at www.ekusa.com.
At-a-Glance
To better tell time on the slopes, a new concept in watches has been introduced called the Glotch. According to manufacturers, the Glotch is shock- and water-resistant. The unit comes with an adjustable, polyester-braided elastic band and functions include time, date, stopwatch, nightlight and alarm. It retails for $24.95
For more information, contact The Glotch at (614) 985-3061. Check out their website at www.theglotch.com.
