A lifelong downhill skier and industrial mechanic/millwright, Jim Maidment was frustrated by the fact that he could pursue his favorite pastime only near a chair lift. “When you’re on a slope, all that energy is free—as long as you’re going in that one direction,” he says. So Maidment hacked together a 6.5-hp generator engine (bought from Costco for $125) with a small, off-the-shelf snowmobile track from Bombardier, inventing a machine he calls the Skizee. He then headed for the mountains to refine his creation, moving from Ontario to Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada’s second-loftiest city. So far, he’s decreased the size and added a variable torque converter to change the power ratio and climb hills. His latest Skizee can go 12 mph uphill and can reach 25 mph in flat powder. Maidment continues to test his invention in the snowy woods around his home, and he’s making final tweaks to the design now. One day he hopes to see the Skizee in pro shops everywhere
ChrisWo, I think it's rather amusing that one of these http://www.kitewing.com/ can actually go faster than the Skizee.
That would be a handy way to get up a snowy mountain. Then just pack it up and ski down. Or forget the kitewing and use a skizee then just leave it at the top.....
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I just looked at the video.
Obviously I would buy one except for one thing: it looks like you end up skiing it in the back seat, and I can't have that.
In all seriousness it looks like it could be a fun thing to try for a half hour or so.....but after that?
Looks great, but hope he's built in a kill-switch.
Don't fancy the idea of falling then being promptly run over by what looks like a floor-sander in snowchains.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hi... sry guys had to remove this post untill all the legal stuff is completed,
Cheers
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Fri 15-01-10 7:13; edited 1 time in total
After all it is free
After all it is free
Buddpig, I like folks that appear on the scene to defend their inventions, I think it shows personal belief in their product despite the possibility of derision. Good on you for posting and welcome to SH's
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
mmm Put a flat ski shaped plate on the top, then to come downhill you just turn it over and tow it like a pulk
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
and wouldnt it make more sense to have it in front pulling you, safer too
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
forgot I posted this!
had an idea for it but may be impossible to do. If you wanted to have uplift and then freeski down you could have a lightweight spool of thin rope that anchors at the bottom and spools out as you go up hill.
then ski back down and "reel it in"
Although it may be easier to put a plate on it as mole said and "lower" it down the path you made on the way up
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Hello,
I'm a producer with Daily Planet on Discovery Channel Canada.
I am trying to track down Jim Maidment -- the inventor of the Skizee.
Does anyone have contact info for him?
cheers,
Jeff Blundell
jeff.blundell@ctv.ca
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Hi guys, We have finished testing the 2009 prototype, and are now making a few improvements. The model going into production will have a few modifications, more power, and electric start ect. Our website skizee.ca is still under construction and will be up and running soon.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
