Building your own rope tow

**whipski** · 12-20-2021, 08:18 AM

Been watching you tubes. Want to build a rope tow at my off grid ski hut. Lots of options but ciphering on what rope, where to get it and methods of splicing. Think I''ll need 6-800 feet. Used to work along side rescue groups who had big spools of gold line. Reached out and crickets. Any info would be appreciated

**Bunion 2020** · 12-20-2021, 08:20 AM

https://rightrope.com/product/arctic...0aAjqREALw_wcB

**NBABUCKS1** · 12-20-2021, 08:28 AM

Here to offer no help but interested. I have about a 100 foot drop over 300 horizontal feet at my soon to be finished cabin in Wyoming. Caltopo has it at about a 20-28 degree pitch.

There is a spine that would provide a less steep route up that you could ski to at the bottom of the drop. Wondering if it'd be worth it to invest the time/money into a tow rope. think it would me more of a tinkering project. A project you can do not because it's needed

**whipski** · 12-20-2021, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Bunion 2020

https://rightrope.com/product/arctic...0aAjqREALw_wcB

Thanks man, they were very helpful on the phone. Come on over if you want to check out the hut. I seem to recall you have a sled?

**m2711c** · 12-20-2021, 09:08 AM

an upstate tow….

Name: 096D62C6-81C6-4416-95B2-7B0E2CF37C8E.jpeg
Views: 981
Size: 183.6 KB

Name: F1EE8D07-48ED-409E-AACD-27F4F96B63A7.jpeg
Views: 982
Size: 124.4 KB

Name: 386F69F8-BEE9-4496-8F6F-5A5E23C81C0E.jpeg
Views: 994
Size: 116.0 KB

Name: 687EA8A8-DF9E-4ACF-A17A-BE69A659C57A.jpeg
Views: 994
Size: 141.7 KB

Name: 6350B424-EE09-427D-A1B9-A439E1E17EB2.jpeg
Views: 986
Size: 155.0 KB

Name: 9316AFFD-A1CB-4F4B-B4BF-E7146F0329F7.jpeg
Views: 993
Size: 117.0 KB

fact.

**I Skied Bandini Mountain** · 12-20-2021, 09:11 AM

It took me a couple of passes to see the beer.

**NBABUCKS1** · 12-20-2021, 09:26 AM

m271 - did you fab that motor and drive assembly? from scratch or plans?

**m2711c** · 12-20-2021, 09:36 AM

neighbors kids with much more energy than i and with ample time on their hands lately… built from scratch using the old “try first, plan second” method. harbor freight motor.

seems to have worked out for them.

**snoqpass** · 12-21-2021, 11:04 PM

I’ve built a rope tow at Sahalie Ski Club, Snoqualmie Pass. We had to weld some old lift towers together since some got bent when they were removed because they were dropped like trees I did full penetration welds with 7018 rod and salvaged parts from old tows such as the drive motors and Model A wheels and other sheaves some parts were fabricated from scratch like the ladders, the wing like things are for mounting lights, we also poured reinforced concrete footings for the towers , a total of 3 tows were built but they are still running after 20+ years

Click image for larger version.

Name: FAAD9B39-21C7-4F76-9E7D-30B79AD04FD4.jpg
Views: 107
Size: 807.1 KB
ID: 397760

Click image for larger version.

Name: DAB7F40B-A6A2-4488-B2A0-A3B3E06FE15E.jpg
Views: 110
Size: 797.6 KB
ID: 397761

**John_B** · 12-21-2021, 11:58 PM

Those are some awesome photos. Thanks for sharing them snoq!

**Core Shot** · 12-22-2021, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by m2711c

an upstate tow….

[

fact.

And yet again. We find upstate is upstate as fuck

**SumJongGuy** · 12-22-2021, 07:19 AM

If I lived on property with enough pitch and natural snow I'd for sure figure out how to build DIY rope tow. I've seen dozens back in the day. Looks like an anchored motorcycle engine and wheel could provide sufficient energy.. add some poles and additional wheels to guide the rope loop.

**Cruiser** · 12-22-2021, 07:54 AM

I have nothing helpful to add but will gladly make some laps at your ski area when it's up and running, assuming we eventually get some snow in the sawatch. You gonna be down that way on NYE? I've gotta work that day but will run down for the festivities that night.

Sent from my SM-F926U1 using TGR Forums mobile app

**whipski** · 12-22-2021, 08:34 AM

Hancock got a foot out of the last dump. Haven't been up to the hut since Nov. been up to Elmo cutting firewood and visiting corruption kids. New Years is unclear have Peter Estin invite but the old pup has the cancer and can't leave him. He was breaking trail a month ago.

**Cruiser** · 12-22-2021, 09:26 AM

We rode up to Hancock lake the other day as the road finally has pretty continuous snow. It didn't look like anyone had taken snow machines up Pomeroy yet as of Monday.

So sorry to hear about the hound. Pets and treats...

Holler if you're around on 1.1 as Z&E are just about done with the sauna and we'll have it cranked up that evening for sure.

Sent from my SM-F926U1 using TGR Forums mobile app

**wolfelot** · 12-22-2021, 09:49 AM

This is great. We are building a house in Park County CO and it would be cool to build a little slope in the yard.

**LegoSkier** · 12-22-2021, 10:44 AM

So this popped up on my FB feed yesterday and seems germane to the discussion: https://www.zoaeng.com/
Seems like it uses paracord but if the thing works you could string a bunch of lengths and hopscotch up a mountain.

**m68744** · 12-22-2021, 11:57 AM

cool)))

**snoqpass** · 12-22-2021, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Core Shot

And yet again. We find upstate is upstate as fuck

These kids should get some credits for shop class or something

**Brownski** · 12-22-2021, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by m2711c

an upstate tow….

fact.

I know a guy in Oneonta that built something like that. Looks like yours has a bit more vert though

**Danno** · 12-23-2021, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by whipski

Hancock got a foot out of the last dump. Haven't been up to the hut since Nov. been up to Elmo cutting firewood and visiting corruption kids. New Years is unclear have Peter Estin invite but the old pup has the cancer and can't leave him. He was breaking trail a month ago.

Aw, fuck, Whip, so sorry to hear that. Wishing the best for Luke.

I would love to come down some weekend and help out. If you think I can be of some use, I can let you know my schedule. I might be able to drag a snowbeard down with me.