SKI-TOW INSTALLED

Lake County Mail, Issue 7, 9 July 1947, Page 4

SKI-TOW INSTALLED

The longest and most elaborate Ski-Tow yet planned and erected in New Zealand has now been installed at the Wakatipu Ski Grounds on the slopes of Coronet Peak, by the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Co., Ltd.

Situated about eight miles from Queenstown this Winter Sports Area is becoming more popular each season and to provide new fields which have been practically inaccessible in the past the company has installed this tow at an altitude of approximately 3,400 feet on a part of the Coronet slopes. To use the tow it is necessary to walk about three-quarters of a mile from the hut along a specially constructed wide track with an easy grade. The final part of the track to tow is of a steeper grade but easily negotiable by anybody.

The tow which exceeds 500 yards in length provides an easy, effortless vertical ascent of 350 feet and consists of main motor unit and drums for turning the rope cable (total length of over 1000 yards of endless rope). This unit alone weighs over one ton and is anchored at the foot of the tow. It is driven by a heavy duty automobile motor, suitably governed and the speed of the rope is 8 to 10 miles per hour. It is carried on pylons spaced at intervals up the slope and the upgoing rope is at a fairly low level. Each skier wears a belt to which is attached a short rope and special hook, and the hook is attached to the main cable very easily and no difficulty is found in Jiolding on. If skiers should fall they merely' release grip on hook handle and the hook detaches itself from the

Company’s Enterprise Rewarded

main cable. It is foolproof and there is no dangerous element. As a precautionary measure a safety device is installed at the top of the tow and if the skier should be pulled into this precaution or allows himself to touch same, motive power is electrically and automatically cut off and the t'ow rope stops. The down 'coming rope runs at a higher level on the same pylons as the up-going rope. Tests show that skiers can be pulled to the top of tow from the foot in 1 minute 40seeonds compared with 25 minutes climbing. .Power is sufficient to tow about eight persons continuously at one time and each person is so suitably spaced so that any person falling down or releasing hook cannot readily foul progress of another behind.

The tow rope is automatically controlled and there is a hand winch to take up excess stretch} so that the main rope always remains at a constant tautness. ,

During the season the company runs a regular bus service to the ski equipment hut which is situated near the Skippers Saddle and those in need of equipment may hire it at this hut ‘and the company has almost completed an additional hut at foot of tow which houses the motor unit and provides heat and shelter for skiers. Provision is also made for tea and refreshment at this point rather than enforce people to return to the main , huts at lunch ti»«.

This Lake County Mail congratulates the company concerned for obtaining this additional facility to one of the main winter sports attractions of this district.