If you’ve driven up IH 35 just north of New Braunfels, Texas in the last few weeks, you’ve probably wondered what was going on at East Watson Lane. Bulldozers are moving massive amounts of dirt from one big hole, only to create another. Then towers were erected around the new hole. Then a cable was strung around those towers. While all of this was going on, massive concrete slabs were poured and a huge building is being erected over one of them. All of this behind the tiny little MasterCraft dealership called the Texas Ski Ranch. Just what is all the commotion about?
It’s TSR! Believe it or not! Finally, after 2 years of planning the Texas Ski Ranch will be opening the highly anticipated cable ski lake and skate park this summer. The skate park at TSR consists of 3 phases, phase one will contain several street elements, several small to mid size ramps and quarter pipes, ledges and rails for grinding and a 12 foot vert ramp. 4 focus groups were held with local skaters to help plan the park, so you get what you asked for. This first phase should be skateable by mid June and complete by early July. Check the TSR web site for updates.
This will be the second summer for the team at the Texas Ski Ranch as a MasterCraft retailer featuring the industries finest ski and wakeboard boats, including the sought after X-series. The TSR service department keeps busy servicing all makes of inboard ski boats, and also inventories most commonly used parts, including props, for last minute repairs so that you can be back on the water before the week-end. Service manager, Todd Wittig, has added technicians and assistants and is looking forward to working in the state of the art facilities in the new building. Stop by and let him show you around.
TSR will also have a large extreme sports shop with everything from skateboards, inline skates, bikes, wakeboards, wakeskates, skis, bindings, ropes, gloves, towables, clothing, shoes and accessories. With brands like Liquid Force and Hyperlite, HO, Rave, Reef, Fox, Quicksilver, Billabong, Dragon, Smith, Spy, Globe, Blind, World Industries, Element, Alien Workshop, Habitat, and more. The shop will be owned and operated by the Texas Ski Ranch although some space is still available to lease to the right retailers. Check back often as inventory increases over the summer.
Summer camp at the ranch will be in full swing by late June. Camp TSR includes special weeks for beginners with extra fun and games with director Holly Hess, as well as intense wakeboard training weeks. Details are on the web site. Coaches and Pro’s have been busy all spring with private lessons and clinics, and will continue on a space available basis throughout the summer. You can even book a lesson with former MasterCraft pro rider, Jacob Koncak! The ranch also offers awesome birthday party packages for your little extreme athlete. For information on parties, private lessons or camp availability call Rebecca at 830-609-4754, dates are filling fast.
The biggest news at TSR however, will be the cable lake. The TSR cable lake will be the only operating cable in the western United States. There are currently 4 cable lakes in the US, with 3 in Florida and one in North Carolina, although cable skiing has been popular around the world for years. There are almost 150 cable lakes around the world with over 40 in Germany alone. Cable skiing is safe, clean, quiet, and environmentally friendly. The system is controlled by a computer and actually takes very little power. The cable system has proven to be especially good for wakeboard training and because of that the popularity of the sport is expected to increase dramatically in the US over the next few years. New lakes are already in the works in Florida, California and the Midwest.
Wakeboarders and wakeskaters like the extra challenge that obstacles and elements add so once the lake is up and running, TSR will be adding ramps and sliders to the lake. The drought may delay the opening a little but developer Paul Bialick is working closely with TNRCC and the Corp of Engineers to overcome this obstacle and avoid any long term issues that may arise. For the immediate lack of water, wells will be drilled to fill the lake.
One of the big events at the ranch this year will be the 4th and final stop of the Cable Wakeboard Tour on September 14th and 15th. For more info on how you can be involved as a rider or sponsor contact Blake at texasskiranch.com or at www.cablewakeboardtour.com, and make sure to mark your calendars for this special event. There will be stuff happening at the ranch that whole week-end!
Memberships go on sale June 1, which will enable members to reduced admissions, as well as a number of free and discounted admissions, goodies, shop and party discounts and other benefits. Memberships purchased this year will actually be for the remainder of the year and 2003 as well. Monthly and yearly “all you can ride” passes are also available for those who take their sports seriously. For information on memberships, and ticket prices check out the web site, or visit the ranch shop at TSR in June.
Make sure to watch the web site for future developments. Plans include rock climbing, BMX dirt tracks, two competition ski/wakeboard lakes and a full service restaurant. Special events like concerts, college nights, member days, girl’s days, tournaments, and more are planned at TSR. Information for these events will be on the web site as they are confirmed.
To inquire about special opportunities for your school, club or corporate group call Christine at 830-609-4754 or justchrisb@aol.com. She is also your contact at the ranch for information on becoming an official sponsor of the Texas Ski Ranch and for promotional opportunities. It’s going to be a wild summer, and a great year!