While taking Son #2 and a friend to a local ski hill to go snowboarding yesterday, I was struck by two brilliant (well, I thought so!) marketing ideas that I hope someone will turn into reality:
1. Wi fi at ski hills.
Normally I would be skiing while the boys were snowboarding, but I had writing to do and a conference call to sit in on at 3 p.m. So instead of being out there, I was inside the restaurant at the chalet with my laptop. Not wanting to run down the battery (and unsure how long it would last anyway), I searched out an electrical outlet and plugged in. Beside me, another mom had a book and a DVD player, on which she later watched a movie. Scattered at other outlets at various times during the day were other people, clearly working or passing the time while their offspring were out on the slopes. It struck me that there is a market here that would welcome wireless access to the Internet. Why not a wi fi cafe at every ski hill?
2. Gas station finder
On the way to the ski hill, which was about a two-hour drive from home, I kept my eye on the gas tank, as I had not had a chance to fill up the day before. With highway driving, we were running on fumes by the time I dropped off the boys. I asked several people in the parking lot if they knew where to find a nearby gas station, but they were all visitors, like me. The parking lot attendant thought maybe I could find one north off the next highway exit or maybe I would have to drive 10 minutes south; he wasn’t sure. So I set off trying to think positive thoughts (I will have enough gas to get me there) vs. panicky what-to-do thoughts (There’s a lot of traffic, if I run out someone will help, or I’ll call CAA). I did eventually find a gas station, but what I would have liked was a phone number to call that would tell me where to find the nearest one. Does CAA or AAA offer this service? If so, they don’t market it! If not, they should!