Ski Slope for the DR

Ken · #1 09-04-2002, 10:54 AM

Will an indoor ski slope be successful in the Dominican Republic?

This morning, Sr. Rodriguez, a Dominican living in Germany, was interviewed on an English language program on a German channel. Sr. Rodriguez is a designer of amusement parks in Germany.

During his interview, Sr. Rodriguez said that he plans to "bring some of the north to the Caribbean" by designing and constructing an indoor ski slope in the Dominican Republic. He felt that the cold temperature in the ski area and the experience of skiing would make this a very popular attraction in the Dominican Republic. What do you think?

Robert · #2 09-04-2002, 11:36 AM

I often think these people fail to forget that it's all nice and good to build these facilities, but running them and keeping up with 1st world maintenance standards can often be a problem here.
Preventative maintenance and quality control are not two words that I hear often in the DR.
Of course the DR has it's exceptions but it's not the rule.

Would I like to see a ski park here? You bet!
Would I use it? You bet!

Anything that puts the DR on the map is good, anything that gives locals and tourists another entertainment outlet is good. Let's hope if they do manage to get the project off the ground and built, they also work at keeping it running and well maintained.

I can see it now, "Cool Runnings II".

Ken · #3 09-04-2002, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert
I often think these people fail to forget that it's all nice and good to build these facilities, but running them and keeping up with 1st world maintenance standards can often be a problem here.
Preventative maintenance and quality control are not two words that I hear often in the DR.
Of course the DR has it's exceptions but it's not the rule.

Giving some reason for optimism in this case is the fact that the person proposing to build the ski slope is a Dominican who hasn't completely forgotten his roots as a result of living in Germany. During the course of the interview, Mr. Rodriguez was asked about the casual attitude that Dominicans have toward time. He responded that being late to appointments was an inborn, inherited trait of Dominicans. When the interviewer asked him how he deals with this trait, now that he is living and working in Germany where punctuality is vital, he said--in all seriousness--that he keeps his clock set one hour ahead.

Fred · #4 09-04-2002, 02:33 PM

Just tell any Dominican that you would like to lend them $1000 pesos and to meet you at a set destination.

You bet they will show up on time.

"Its a hard life for stupid people"

Fred

love da DR · #5 09-04-2002, 03:03 PM

Ken,

Of course positive things that attract attention to the DR are quite good but who would benefit from this proposed new attraction? I am sure for those that can afford to indulge their passion for the slopes and powder, they would welcome whole heartedly this proposal but other than the revenue that is generated and the Gov'ts cut which is debatable whether the people would see the benefits of at all. I suppose the argument could also go that there are certain employment pluses that could be reaped. I just wonder with all of the economic problems in the DR would the average Dominican be able to afford this new diversion?

Also would this not be a first for the entire caribbean region?

Isaac

lhtown · #6 09-04-2002, 08:54 PM

Are we talking about "air conditioning" an entire mountain? As I recall there was trouble just keeping the ice frozen on the hockey rink which certainly was a miniscule project in comparison. I suppose I would go once or twice, but I really can't see the Colorado tourism industry shaking in its fur-lined boots.

Hlywud · #7 09-04-2002, 11:20 PM

Hmm the Dominican Bob sled team or was that Jamaican, now a ski team from the DR, good idea but it will never wash.

Criss Colon · #8 09-05-2002, 03:22 PM

It is not going to be "air-conditioned",or skiing on snow.The guy plans to buy all the hair that is being swept up in all the Dominican barber shops.He is going to "glue" the hair to the side of a big hill in Puerto Plata.You will "ski" down the hill on the hair! "Really"! It's going to be called,"Afro-Turf"!!!CRISCO

Hillbilly · #9 09-09-2002, 10:46 AM

"they" didn't think that bowling would fly either.

HB

You don't have to have snow to ski, do you?

Ken · #10 09-09-2002, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hillbilly
[BYou don't have to have snow to ski, do you? [/B]

No, you don't have to have snow. The Olympic board skiers at their camp in Colorado during the summer prior to last winter Olympics practiced on a ramp with some sort of composition surface, then landed in a swimming pool after doing their aerials.

The piece on TV regarding the proposed ski slope didn't mention what they would be skiing on. Like you, I think a surface more maintenance free than snow is likely.