A Real Twister
From Forward Motion comes the Tornado, a rotating snowboard binding that allows 360 degrees of foot positions in six-degree increments. According to designers, positions can be easily changed in three seconds and securely locked in place. The binding is flush mounted so there is no additional boot elevation and is adaptable to step-in technology.
For more information, contact Forward Motion, P.O. Box 1066, Pittsburg, Calif., 94565 or call (925) 427-1840; or e-mail [email protected].
Meteorology at Your Fingertips
Nielsen-Kellerman has introduced the Kestrel 3000, a handheld digital anemometer and more. Not only does it measure wind speed, but relative humidity, heat stress index, dew point temperature, wind chill and temperature. Temperatures can be displayed in degrees Fahrenheit as well as Centigrade and wind speed can be displayed in U.S., metric and Beaufort scales. Additional features are a fiberglass housing for the impeller, adjustable neck lanyard and protective brick-red slip-on case. The unit, which operates on a common watch battery, is waterproof to one meter and floats. Suggested retail price is $159.
For more information, contact Michael Naughton, Nielsen-Kellerman at (800) 784-4221 x208 or check out the Website at: www.kestrel-instruments.com.
The Substitute
Engineered Components Inc. is offering a special cablecraft replacement ski lift cable to reduce lift-operation downtime and maintenance. This new cable was designed with a replaceable seal system, uses stainless steel and brass fittings and, according to manufacturers, has increased load capacity.
For more information, contact Engineered Components Inc. at (908) 788-8393.
Keeping Dry
Long Johns with drop seats may be the favorite for some old woodsmen, but the modern way to keep warm in cold weather is to transport moisture (sweat) away from the skin. A new underwear, called Tek-1, has been introduced by Performance Sports Apparel and claims to have a treatment that wicks moisture from the skin and is permanently bonded to the fiber so it won’t wash out. This bonded material, called Intera, attracts water and spreads it over a broad area so it evaporates faster, allowing heat to be maintained on the skin’s surface. Packaged as “Underwear of Champions,” Tek-1 retails for $40 and up; volume discounts are available.
For more information, contact Performance Sports Apparel. Inc., 1047 MacArthur Rd., Reading, Pa., 19605 or call (610) 373-5300.
Scan This
Asset Management Technologies, the U.S. distributor of the Datalogic hand-held device line, introduces Datalogic’s new DLC9030 hand-held 2D reader. With the DLC9030 2D reader, it is possible to read any bar code symbology. All 1D and 2D codes can be decoded and OCR marks and signatures can be captured. With a new CMOS optic sensor, manufacturers claim that the unit is able to capture the whole image of the object to be identified, no matter how it is oriented, avoiding the need for alignment between the reader and the symbol. Dual triangular LED pointers with optimum focus indicators act as a viewfinder and the reader is suitable for most applications and environments.
For more information, contact Jay H. Stemmler at (203) 250-7226 x14 or check out the Website at www.amtsystems.com.
A Software Time-Saver
> A Software Time-Saver Sport Select has come out with a new version of its software. The Windows GUI Interface version allows a rental customer to register only once, including height, weight and age and, after the DIN settings are automatically computed, the customer can then exchange equipment and check in quickly with the use of bar code or RFID scanners. Also included in the program are a full reservation system, point-of-sale for retail items, general equipment rentals, the ability to print lift tickets, full inventory control and equipment tracking along with repair shop management. Sport Select offers and supports versions for UNIX, XENIX and DOS. Most network platforms are supported, including Windows NT and NOVELL.
For more information, contact Andrew Emde at (208) 325-3700 or check out the Website at www.sport-select.com/ski.
Taking Snow Reporting to Cyberspace
To bring snow reporting to the Internet, Cylogic has developed a Realaudio snow phone service. Each morning during the ski season, Cylogic calls and records the resort’s snow report and downloads it onto www.snowreport.com as well as the resort’s own Website by 10 a.m. The system’s audio server is Broadcast.com/Yahoo in order to handle thousands of listeners at a time. As part of the service, Cylogic also creates a custom Web page for each resort at www.snowreport.com that includes a direct link back to the resort’s site. Cylogic has also created a CD-ROM ski area screen saver that is sold to the public and has direct links to each subscriber’s snow phone report. The cost for the service is $450 and is available from November 15, 1999 to April 10, 2000.
For more information, contact Robert Hayes at (888) 295-6442 or e-mail at [email protected].
Is That A Pocket in Your Fence?
Plaspack USA, Inc. introduces its Pocket-Net fence to the winter sports industry. The HDPE double-ply knitted fence material is designed to be a lightweight barricade and is easy to install. The fence has vertical pockets knitted in the material every three feet to eliminate sagging and to maintain tension. The fencing comes in a standard roll of four feet by 150 feet, larger roll sizes are available by special order. The fencing is also available in a four-inch to nine-inch width barrier band with a 750-foot roll length. Pocket-Net is available in safety orange and garden green, has a six-year UV warranty and can be enhanced with a reflective material called Tinsel-Lite.
For more information, contact Plaspack USA Inc. at (715) 623-4449 or check out the Website at www.plaspackusa.com.
Going, Going, Gone
Bid 4 Vacations.com launched an online auction service to help resorts and other leisure travel providers market low-season or last-minute inventory. Consumers can search by location, amenities or vacation interest categories. With 24 hours notice, participating properties can elect to auction a vacation package specifying their own quantities, date ranges, starting bid prices and terms of payment. Auctions generally last seven to 10 days and are free to registered bidders while sellers pay Bid 4 Vacations.com a percentage of the winning price. Advertising rates for participating properties start as low as $450 per year and include photos, description, amenities, regular rack rates and links to the resort’s Website.
For more information, contact Bid 4 Vacations.com at (303) 666-8500 or check out the Website at www.Bid4Vacations.com.
No More Smelly Shoes
Ski areas, like many other hospitality facilities, have their share of not-so-wonderful-smelling spaces, including lockers, kitchens, hotel rooms, rental shops, etc. Twinstar Industries has developed Atmos-Klear odor eliminator, a heavy-duty neutralizer without perfumes, enzymes or harsh chemicals. The product, according to manufacturers, eliminates odors at their source and keeps the odor from returning. To apply, spray or wipe on the surface, add to mop or carpet shampoo, pour into washing machine or deploy in a fogger unit. For ski boots, spray inside. Atmos Klear claims to destroy most odors including smoke, mildew, cooking odors, sewage, perfumes and skunk to name a few.
For more information, contact Scott A. Androff, Twinstar Industries, 1010 W. 80th St., Bloomington, Minn., 55420 or call (800) 977-4145.
Be Pushy
> Be Pushy Pro-Tech announces the introduction of the full line of Sno Pushers specifically designed for all makes and models of tractor-loader backhoes and, according to manufacturers, can increase the tractor’s capacity by as much as 500 percent. The backhoe model (BSP) has a reduced weight and lower moldboard for ease of use and increased visibility. BSP’s are equipped with a quick-change attachment system for installation and removal via the machine’s bucket.
The Sno Pusher comes in 10-, 12- and 14-foot widths, has a 1.5 by 10-inch adjustable/reversible rubber cutting edge and has 3/4-inch by 5-inch AR514T1 abrasion-resistant, bolt-on reversible/replaceable wear shoes.
For more information, contact Pro-Tech at (888) PUSH SNO or (716) 436-9855.
Get Interactive
Painted Rain Interactive is weighing in on the new technology front with interactive CD-ROM products specifically tailored for resorts and hotels. The design company gives clients an array of choices for presenting their properties to prospective guests, such as 360-degree IPIX virtual tours with full-motion video, photos and narration. They highlight accommodations, meeting facilities, dining options and other amenities. The CD-ROMs also permit imbedding of Internet links and can be used without installing special software on the user’s computer—just a point-and-click interface.
For more information, contact Painted Rain at (614) 464-0675 or check out Website at www.PaintedRain.com.
Give it a Lift
> Give it a Lift McKinney Industries introduces hydraulic lift systems for use with snowmaking towers. The lift systems pump up, pump down and free fall down. Features include hydraulic oil rated for -60 degrees Celsius, a vent-free/leak-free system, a carrying handle and a protective water/dust cap for the distribution shaft. Additionally, the pumps are made from 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum and a 303 stainless steel distribution shaft. There is also a directional lever, double o-ring stainless steel piston and high-volume pump.
For more information, contact McKinney Industries, Inc. at (403) 243-6282, (403) 243-6283 fax or e-mail at [email protected].
Portable Power
To bring power to remote areas, National Solar Technologies has come up with the EN-R-PAK, a stand-alone electrical power source that converts renewable resources such as solar, wind or water energy into reliable electrical power for applications where connection to an electricity source is difficult or expensive. According to the manufacturer, the unit produces no pollution, noise or smell and requires no tools or assembly to operate. The unit provides electricity for lighting, communications, security devices, light water pumping and basic entertainment or recreational needs. Units are available in small and large sizes.
For more information, contact National Solar Technologies at (800) 310-7413 or check out the Website at www.en-r-pak.com.
The Wolf
Snow Wolf is a snow plow specifically designed for skid steer loaders. The blade meets the surface at a 45-degree angle to scoop snow rather than push it. The plow also features a spring-loaded trip-cutting edge where the blade itself is rigid, but the bottom six inches trips forward if an obstacle is hit on the pavement. The trip mechanism only on the cutting edge permits a heavier, dual-pivot, A-frame construction. In turn, the dual-pivot construction allows the blade to oscillate.
For more information, contact Snow Wolf at (800) 905-2265.
The Name Game
Digital Asset Management, Inc., announced the launch of PC411, an online service that allows small business and independent retail store owners to create customized direct marketing lists for an annual subscription fee of about $40. Using the PC411 browser, users access the data via their Internet connection. By entering a phone number into the service, users can obtain complete names, addresses (zip plus four) and standard industrial classification codes for business contacts. Up to 1,000 names can be obtained during each search with no additional search fees. PC411, version 3.0 requires a PC with Windows 95/98 or NT.
For more information, contact Digital Asset Management, Inc., 321 Main Street, Longmont, Colo., 80501, or call (303) 651-6778.
Getting Inn
inntopia.com, a real-time leisure lodging network, introduces CenRes management software free to central reservations agencies and call centers worldwide. CenRes software provides a synchronized link between the agency management system and the front desk of each member hotel, giving both access to real-time inventory. CenRes also integrates directly with an agency’s Website with a real-time online booking engine that can process reservations.
Also from inntopia.com comes innSynch front-desk management software free to hotels and inns. The software provides hotels and inns with front-desk operations, such as inventory and guest profiles. The system connects the hotel with the inntopia.com global distribution network, which connects the hotel in real-time to its own Website, the inntopia.com Website, inntopia.com’s online travel partners and other destination-based affiliate and central reservation agency Websites.
For more information, contact inntopia.com at (617) 227-2111 x362 or check out the Website at www.inntopia.com.
Staying Hooked Up
Cyberoom has come up with an in-room computer and software system designed to provide hotel guests with high-speed Internet access, customized hotel information and links to useful business, information and entertainment resources. The system is a T-1 speed connection dedicated solely to Internet use, instead of using a second telephone line in each room. Cyberoom first logs on to a customized Cyberoom home page with local information. From there, guests are able to surf the Web, send e-mails and have access to tools to create presentations or develop spreadsheets, etc.
For more information, contact 888 4CYBEROOM or check out the Website at www.cyberoom.com.
