There’s a storm heading to where I live this weekend, and it’s expected to dump a lot of snow on us, which means that everything will likely shut down, grocery stores will be stripped bare of milk and bread, because when you’re stuck in your house who would want anything but milk and bread, and civilization will begin to degrade and collapse under the weight of a few inches of beautiful, pristine alabaster snow. This got me thinking about getting around in the snow, which got me thinking about skiing, which got me thinking about how the oldest operating rope tow ski slope in America is powered by the remains of a ’73 Dodge Dart. Oh, and there’s a tie-in to the movie Beetlejuice.
Are you familiar with rope tows? For skiing? I’ll admit, I’m really not. Do I look like someone who skis regularly? There’s duct tape on one of my socks! I’m no skier, but I am a fan of old cars doing things, even if those things aren’t strictly driving, and I think this 1973 Dart absolutely qualifies for that. You see, a rope tow is a sort of cheap alternative to a ski lift; because of the cruel nature of gravity, you can really only ski by going downhill. That means, barring a terribly opportune and beneficial act of plate tectonics, after each downhill run, you need to get back up a mountain, which is difficult.
So, many ski slopes use ski lifts, but that’s a lot of hardware, and the tickets are expensive. The cheaper and easier way is the rope tow, which is just a big loop of rope, driven by a motorized pulley system that you hold onto and let it drag you up the slope on your skis. See? Like I said, cheap and easy! It seems that the oldest one of these, which has been operating continuously since 1936, is Northeast Slopes, in East Corinth, Vermont.
And it is powered by a 1973 Dodge Dart:
Well, most of a Dart; looking at these pictures from Northeast Slope’s Facebook page, it looks like most of the interior of the Dart has been removed, replaced with a series of pulleys that transfer the power from the Dart’s Leaning Tower of Power Slant 6 to that rope yanking yankees up the slope. I think those white wires going up are for the starter/emergency cutoff switch, and the black hoses below, I suspect, lead to the large fuel tank outside of the barn.
The radiator appears to be housed in there as well; I’m not sure why, exactly, as it doesn’t seem like there’s any better airflow in there than under the hood, but there must be some reason. The location of those pulleys also suggests that the engine is still sending power rearward via the driveshaft, which may be what is turning that rearmost pulley?
It’s hard to tell. Here’s a little video of the Dart in action, if that helps:
From what I’ve read, those wheels acting as rope pulleys are from a Ford Model A, and have been part of the setup since the very beginning, as you can see in this picture here:
This picture, which is likely from the 1930s, shows what I think – based on the shape of that radiator shell there – is a Model T being used to power the early rope tow setup. Those early powerplants for the rope tow system were just out there in the open, but, as you can see from the pictures above, the Dart lives a fairly luxurious life inside what appears to be an old, red barn.
Well, that’s not really a barn; it’s a movie prop. Specifically, it was a covered bridge built for the 1988 movie Beetlejuice, where it played a role as the place where Geena Davis drove a yellow 1977 Volvo 245 wagon through the side of the bridge, and then, with the help of a dog, into the water and death:
After the movie was shot, that whole red covered bridge was relocated to Northeast Slopes, where it became the home for the Dart:
Look at that! Amazing, right?
It’s very likely this is not just the oldest operating tow rope in America, but also the oldest continually (or near enough) operating Dodge Dart in America, too, even if it may not have the mileage numbers to corroborate that. That old Slant 6 must still be running pretty well, too; it seems that tow rope can reach speeds up to 27 mph, which is why they sell leather gloves at the slopes, because that rope burn would be no joke.
A hardworking Dart doing a job it was never designed for for decades, housed in a prop from a well-known comedy-horror movie. It doesn’t get any better than that, does it?
Top image: Northeast Slopes Facebook, Warner Bros
Skier: Got my lift tickets! How do I hit the slopes?
Manager: Use our Direct Ascent Rapid Transit system.
Skier: You mean that old Dart?
Manager: I mean the D.A.R.T.! It’s got the slant to slide you up the slope surreptitiously!
Skier: I guess it’s better than walking.
Had a high school buddy who used to run the rope tow at a local hill. He got caught in the mechanism and nearly ripped in half. He lived, but it was touch and go for a long time, a real uphill battle.
Corinth is famous for its leather!
Which the Dart most certainly did not have.
Since Darts didn’t exist in 1930 I can only assume it is not continulessly operating as need to shut down for “The changing of the Cars” also not Year round. But wouldn’t a car with cruise control work better?
Why does that T still have a steering wheel?
Probably because that’s where the throttle is on a T. Right behind the wheel. Across from that is the ignition advance.
I guess they put in as little effort as possible.
I really want to know the efficiency for this thing. Like, how much fuel to get one skier up the mountain? I’m guessing it wood be measured in tablespoons
Was this for traction? Maybe a repair? Did you happen to step in some?
Or I suppose it could be decorative / cosmetic
…I’m not sure if Tom Magliozzi would have been thrilled or despondent at this. Probably both. Sure, it’s not on the road, but that Dart’s still earning its keep.
One of the ski resorts my brother was a lift mechanic at in upstate NY told me that those lifts all used 300/6 Fords for back up duty with a carb.
I’m originally from Vermont. Up there, we have our own version of rednecks called woodchucks and that tow bar setup is the most woodchuck thing I have ever seen.
the music in that video makes me wish I never had eardrums
The wife and I dressed up as Adam and Barbara Maitland for Halloween this year. I’m glad to hear that old bridge is still assembled and in-use.
Chrysler engines, including the Slant 6, have a long history as industrial engines. Farm machinery, forklifts, and irrigation pumps have all used the \6. In the north country, plenty of Darts and Valiants died of rust while the engines were still going strong. This is the perfect application for a rusty Slant Six Dodge.
I learned to ski at the now closed Mont Shefford in Quebec. Their T-bars were running on a diesel engine with a 3 speed transmission. Hand lever clutch. Yes, the operator would shift gears when starting from a stop.
The emergency stop actually cut the fuel. After, you would hear the engine get started and feel the gear shifts.
I’m surprised by this. I’d have figured it would be easier to disengage the rope than have to constantly be killing and restarting the engine.
Especially since there’s a clutch.
“Well, actually…”
-Cross country skiers
You are more cardo fit than I, God bless.
I haven’t done it since I was a kid because, despite living in the upper Midwest my whole life, we don’t actually have enough snow most winters for it to be fun. The last two have been especially brutal. I know the enthusiasts ski laps on manmade snow, but there are other winter sports I’d rather do.
My brother in law has done coaching at the national biathlon centre in Canmore. The actually save snow over the summer to get an early start on the season if mother nature doesn’t cooperate. In addition to all the wheel skis they use in the summer.
Currently he is doing some coaching with the national team in the world cup series.
The nordic center in canmore is a real gem. The floodlight night skiing is also a treat.
We have a city park here with lit XC ski trails (which I assume is pretty uncommon). Night XC skiing is super cool, but also pretty spooky. Especially because there’s a few hills in there that I tend to eat shit on (going down hills on XC skis is tough, for me at least).
I just looked up Canmore and goddamn is it beautiful out there.
I haven’t been out in almost two years because it’s been pretty mild, though this winter seems to be bringing the cold, it hasn’t really brought a ton of snow.
That might be changing this weekend though.
And ski mountaineers using skins to help them climb up snowy slopes.
The backcountry ski tourers sure do. Ski mountaineering I’m probably spending more time in crampons with my skis on my back.
And its pretty hard to water ski downhill…
Ridden many tow ropes for tubing. I genuflect to the old Dart slant 6 in this service.
Wow, I’ve never seen a rope-tow that didn’t have t-handles on it (of some kind; clicking the link shows that they do have one of those as well…pylons and everything!)
I have to think this Dart is less efficient than a purpose-built motor and gearbox of some kind, but you know….run what ya brung!
Side note: I’m visiting Charlotte at the moment and the forecast has gone from “A foot of snow Saturday everyone panic!” to “maybe an inch of slush” in just the past several hours. People further north are going to have a lot more chaos, depending on where the rain/snow cutoff is.
Also, do we always name storms now? Like, all of them? Seems like a disservice to anyone with a baby at home. I mean, if Fern ends up killing hundreds of people, anyone with that name is going to have a rough time for a while.
Didn’t Fern save her pig?
Pittsburgh area: a foot of snow (probably wet) is a lot.
My surname is associated with a major storm.
Sorry to hear that, Mr. Katrina.
Yes, NOAA has been naming major inland storms for a year or two now. They think it will give the public more awareness of the potential impact on lives and property on a similar level as hurricanes.
Well if you’re looking for killer names…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_serial_killers_by_number_of_victims