How to Build a Ski Lift

Many years ago while growing up, I can remember after a big snow, I would dig my way up a steep hill at my childhood home in the Appalachian Mountains in my ski boots and with my ski's and poles on my back. I would stand at the top and take in the scenery, only to wisp down the hill and be at the bottom again, wishing I was back at the top. I would repeat this process about 3-4 times, then give up because of fatigue. A few years later my brother and I would take turns driving each other to the top of the hill and picking each other up at the bottom once the run was finished.  Recently, I developed a crude, yet productive way of getting back to the top of the hill without A myself. It was cheap, it was a little dangerous, but it worked.  I built a ski lift using a lawn mower, an old bicycle, and a rope. 

My ski lift is powered at the top of the hill by a lawnmower. Yes, a lawnmower. I have had a few problems lately with this mower starting in cold weather, but that has mostly been a battery issue.

To get the rope moving, I raised the back of the mower with wood blocks, wrapped the rope around the wheel, and used 2 steel stakes to act as guides to keep the rope from slipping off to the side of the tire. Without the guides, the rope will not stay on the tire.

I secured the front of the mower to a tree with a come-along crank.  This helps me crank the mower up the hill, and cranking it tightens the rope.  The rope is a simple 3/8 yellow rope I bought at Tractor Supply.  I spliced it together and it has lasted for 4 years.

To send the rope in the right direction back up the hill, I used an old bicycle. I welded the handlebars to keep them from turning, and tied the bicycle to a steel stake that was driven into the ground.