Forget Xanadu, someone needs to build this

[ctenidae]

http://www.skitrac.com/introduction/

I want one.

 

[SkiDork]

Interesting concept

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

it's only 19 miles per hour..lame..

 

[Highway Star]

HAHAHAHA.....riiiight.

 

[Highway Star]

What happens when people fall and get sucked into the mountain/snowmaking area?

I think you'd have better luck with a straight conveyor, and a system to move the snow off at the top and back down to the bottom.

 

[SkiDork]

What happens when people fall and get sucked into the mountain/snowmaking area?

I think you'd have better luck with a straight conveyor, and a system to move the snow off at the top and back down to the bottom.

I was thinking the same thing... There's gotta be some sort of fail safe for that situation.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

next thing you know they'll be making swimming pools that people can surf in,..

 

[Glenn]

That's a really interesting concept.

 

[bvibert]

Interesting idea, but it sounds very expensive to build...

 

[tcharron]

What happens when people fall and get sucked into the mountain/snowmaking area?

I think you'd have better luck with a straight conveyor, and a system to move the snow off at the top and back down to the bottom.

Largest problem with a strait conveyer would be the size of the required electrical motors to actually move it. As far as the 'getting sucked in' problem, it could actually be salved using the same concepts that an escelator uses. Simply have them slide down and over, and provide a safety trip.

Overall, the concept isn't all that far fetched, the only limitation would really be enough power, and be economical. Electricity == Ca$h. And holy crap would a series of linear motors that big suck a WHOLE lotta juice.

 

[ctenidae]

Largest problem with a strait conveyer would be the size of the required electrical motors to actually move it. As far as the 'getting sucked in' problem, it could actually be salved using the same concepts that an escelator uses. Simply have them slide down and over, and provide a safety trip.

Overall, the concept isn't all that far fetched, the only limitation would really be enough power, and be economical. Electricity == Ca$h. And holy crap would a series of linear motors that big suck a WHOLE lotta juice.

I don't know- if the disk is on mag-lev, and weighted right, might not take all that much to keep it going. Of course, starting it up would be a bear. You could probably pick up some help by keeping most of the snow on the downhill side.

On the getting sucked under, they mention something about just riding it back up to the top. Force everone to the outside edge, and ride around on the outer rim.

It's so crazy, it just might work. I still want one.

 

[tcharron]

I don't know- if the disk is on mag-lev, and weighted right, might not take all that much to keep it going. Of course, starting it up would be a bear. You could probably pick up some help by keeping most of the snow on the downhill side.

On the getting sucked under, they mention something about just riding it back up to the top. Force everone to the outside edge, and ride around on the outer rim.

It's so crazy, it just might work. I still want one.

Meh, seems to me the weight of THAT much stuff would require a whole lot more power then a maglev train would. BUt I wouldn't even know where to start figuring out the total weight of that entire disk.

 

[OldsnowboarderME]

next thing you know they'll be making swimming pools that people can surf in,..

I believe they already exist so you must have been attempting to make a joke here. :lol:

 

[Mapnut]

I thought it was a good joke.

Maybe the SkiTrac is one too. I remember seeing a discussion of this idea maybe 5 years ago, and they still haven't built one. Under the "News" link it says projects are being planned in China, South Korea and Texas. Well, those are places where people will try any kind of recreation.

Two problems with the concept as documented in the link: slope and capacity. The drop is only 39 meters in 300, which is flat even for a novice slope. If the Trac was going full speed, you'd have to stay in a tuck. The capacity is given as 1000 skiers. That's a real joke; the area of the slope is only 3.7 acres. That's 161 square feet per skier, meaning you'd have a skier within 13 feet of you in all directions. I saw a photo of what people agreed was a ridiculously crowded novice slope in Korea, but it was at least a 10-acre slope with maybe 500 people on it. SkiTrac is talking about 6 times that density.

Nevertheless, Ctenidae, if you had one of your own it would indeed be cool.

 

[4aprice]

I believe they already exist so you must have been attempting to make a joke here. :lol:

They do exist. There is one called the Flow Rider at Camelbeach. I know a gal, who is a very good snow boarder, and she told me she rides all summer on that thing and loves it.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

They do exist. There is one called the Flow Rider at Camelbeach. I know a gal, who is a very good snow boarder, and she told me she rides all summer on that thing and loves it.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Typhoon Lagoon is a mecca for surfers...ask any pro surfer and they'll list a few places..North Shore of Oahu...Tahiti...Typhoon Lagoon and yes Camelbeach..pretty sweet..I'd rather shred the endless white wave!!!!

 

[SkiDork]

thats funny you mention that today...

http://www.wftv.com/news/20082127/detail.html

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

thats funny you mention that today...

http://www.wftv.com/news/20082127/detail.html

interesting..I may have to hit up Wildwater Kingdom..lots of shirtless unsupervised young boys..:beer:

 

[tcharron]

interesting..I may have to hit up Wildwater Kingdom..lots of shirtless unsupervised young boys..:beer:

So you can finally find some friends?

*Badabum CHING*