Today in History - 1934

The first ski tow in the US was introduced at Woodstock, Vermont by Bob and Betty Royce, proprietors of the White Cupboard Inn. (Some say it was as early as the 18th.) Their tow was driven by the rear wheel of a Ford Model A. Wallace "Bunny" Bertram took it over for the second season, improved operations and renamed it from Ski-Way to Ski Tow.

Their relative simplicity—a car engine, some rope and a few pulleys were all that was needed—made ski tows widespread and contributed to an explosion of the sport in the United States and Europe. Before tows, only people willing to walk uphill could ski. Within five years, more than 100 tow ropes were operating in North America.