MarzNC
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2020
Since general questions came up in a Conditions thread . . .
One place to start reading about snowmaking is on the SMI website. That company is based in Michigan. Their original snowmaker patent was sold to SMI by Everett Kircher, the founder of Boyne Resorts.
Having 100% snowmaking coverage is how many ski resorts in the midwest, mid-Atlantic, and southeast have survived into the 21st century as viable businesses. Installing snowmaking infrastructure started relatively late in the northeast and big mountains in the Rockies and along the Pacific coast.
Fair to say that once there is a base 24-36 inches deep on core trails, they are more likely to be decent relatively soon after a rain event. Or a thaw in Jan or Feb where daytime temps get into the 50s for 3-5 days in a row. My home mountain, Massanutten, in northern VA has enough water and snowmaking power to build the base for 3-4 core trails (green, blue, black) that is over 4 feet deep.
For a west-centric explanation of snowmaking, check out the article on OpenSnow. Note that snowmaking at destination resorts in the Rockies usually is from late October thru mid-December. The goal is to have enough groomed trails open for some early season turns and the holiday season. Portable guns get put away. Experienced members of the snowmaking teams transition to other jobs, just as running a groomer. Those who come from New Zealand or Australia for a few months may simply go home.
November 2014
opensnow.com
One place to start reading about snowmaking is on the SMI website. That company is based in Michigan. Their original snowmaker patent was sold to SMI by Everett Kircher, the founder of Boyne Resorts.
Having 100% snowmaking coverage is how many ski resorts in the midwest, mid-Atlantic, and southeast have survived into the 21st century as viable businesses. Installing snowmaking infrastructure started relatively late in the northeast and big mountains in the Rockies and along the Pacific coast.
Fair to say that once there is a base 24-36 inches deep on core trails, they are more likely to be decent relatively soon after a rain event. Or a thaw in Jan or Feb where daytime temps get into the 50s for 3-5 days in a row. My home mountain, Massanutten, in northern VA has enough water and snowmaking power to build the base for 3-4 core trails (green, blue, black) that is over 4 feet deep.
For a west-centric explanation of snowmaking, check out the article on OpenSnow. Note that snowmaking at destination resorts in the Rockies usually is from late October thru mid-December. The goal is to have enough groomed trails open for some early season turns and the holiday season. Portable guns get put away. Experienced members of the snowmaking teams transition to other jobs, just as running a groomer. Those who come from New Zealand or Australia for a few months may simply go home.
November 2014
Snowmaking, Explained | OpenSnow
Natural snow is the best kind of snow, but when it comes to preparing most ski resorts for the upcoming winter season,...
