7 replies to this topic

[WBSKI]

I saw this on Alpenglow.org

Quote

In May 1935 the Pacific Northwest Ski Association held its first slalom tournament at Panorama Dome. In December 1935 the Mt Baker Development Company began operating a cable-drawn sled called a "ski escalator" that carried skiers from Terminal Lake up Panorama Dome. Early in 1936, after the sled had been in operation less than a month, Arthur Brandlund, the developer of the lift, was killed in an avalanche that came off Panorama Dome.

Did they have those elsewhere? It would be cool to find a picture of one.

[SkiBachelor]

Jack at Hyak.net has a picture of those. There was one installed at one of the Snoqualmie areas. The sleds I believe are still there stashed in the woods.

[liftmech]

Crested Butte, I believe, had one as well. The one at Baker ran, for those not familiar with where Terminal Lake is, to the west (looker's right) of chair 1 on Austin Face.

[Lift Dinosaur]

During my travels, I have seem a pictue of one of these "sleds". I believe its on the wall of historic pictures in the lodge at either Mt. Snow or Killington. Anyone in the East seem these pics?

[hyak.net]

SkiBachelor, on Sep 1 2005, 03:49 PM, said:

Jack at Hyak.net has a picture of those. There was one installed at one of the Snoqualmie areas. The sleds I believe are still there stashed in the woods.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish there were pictures available of the ski escalator, it would be cool to see. The lift at the Milwaukee Ski Bowl was called the Tally-Ho Skiboggan. There are still 5 sleds up on the mtn along with the remains of the upper shack, ski jumps, etc.. Considering they have been up there for over 50 years their condition is not too bad. If you hike up along the Dinosaur chair to chair 64 I think it is, cut south through the opening in the trees (small trail near the tower) and it will come out just below the uppper skiboggan terminal.

The lift at Mt Baker installed in 1935 would make it one of the first lifts in NA, though you never see it mentioned in any national ski history info for some reason when they discuss the first ski lifts in america.

[Bill]

There is a book on the history of Mount Baker and it mentions the first lift being Pan Dome built by Riblet. Unless a "mutt" was used before then (IE Rope Tow, T-Bar Etc). I just remember seeing this picture of the sign that mention the cost, and stats of the first Riblet lift to be built at Baker.

[Screwloose]

There were many of these home-made sleds in the 30's and 40's at many of the Colorado ski areas/hills. They started by being horsedrawn, and then moved up to a jigback configuration with truck engines. At the time they were called "Boat Tows" and everyone sat on long wooden benches set in vertically. This enabled the rider to be jerked along sideways and with each jarring start and stop be propelled along the bench. To add to the fun, the old wood embedded many splinters in backsides. An old friend of mine said she remembered coming home from Loveland and having to be "desplintered" after each ski adventure. And to think how our guests whine now! I'll try to find a photo.

[spunkyskier01]

if you go to aspens website, you can request and order for information, which gives you a trail map, and a free dvd, and on it their is an actual video of one of these sleds in use, its free, and you will get it in a week, gotta love aspen