A captive audience

So much for hitting the slopes to get away from it all. One of the last bastions of solitude – the lonely chairlift ride – could be a thing of the past.

According to Businessden.com, Denver startup Alpine Media Technology wants to embed digital screens on safety bars – meaning the chatty Texan next to you won’t be the only unwanted intrusion on your chair ride. That’s right, soon you could be flying through the snowy trees 50 feet of the ground listening to a pitch about the latest time-share or apre?s cocktail opportunity. The panels are juiced with each pass of the bullwheel, which stores enough energy to power the displays for 20 minutes.

So far, the company has raised $150,000 to get off the ground, so to speak. Already, it has penned agreements with Winter Park and Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts and hopes to install 4,000 - 6,000 displays at 10 resorts next year.

But rest assured – the panels aren’t all bad. Each will come equipped with wi-fi and wireless cell phone charging. And when your chatty lift mate’s banter becomes too much, you can just tune out and pretend to be watching the TV.