Historical information

FALLS CREEK ROPE TOWS
Toni St Elmo brought back plans for a Hamilton rope tow from New Zealand. He had a rope tow built in the summer of 1950-51 and it went into operation the following winter. Skiers were charged 10/- per day to use it. Skiers held onto the rope with a locking device called a ‘nutcracker” attached to a webbing belt. This tow, known as the Nissen Tow, continued to operate until 1960. Bob Hymans installed a shorter portable rope tow for his guests at Skyline from 1954. Other tows included the Village Tow and the Nursery Tow. Eventually most of the tows were taken over by Alpine Developments. From 1960 onwards they were gradually replaced by T-bars and then later on by chairlifts.

This belt is from the original rope tow used between 1951 and 1960 in the Falls Creek ski lifts.

Significance

These items are significant because were part of the earliest rope tows constructed at Falls Creek.

Physical description

A canvas waist belt with leg hoops and metal joining and hook used to attach skier to the rope tow. The wheel is also a damaged component of the Rope Tow.