I think that an automated system is only as good as the person running it. I am sure the automated guns need to be calibrated and that could make a big difference, also I am sure you can override the system which is where a good snowmaker could see a change that needs to be made. I would think that change can be made on a computer and change many guns all at once.
My impression was that the more recent sophisticated automated snowguns have individual weather sensors. Seems to be the case looking at these videos.
Having automated snowguns doesn't mean the snowmaking crew isn't still out on the slopes all the time checking each gun. But they can monitor what's happening on multiple snowguns at once before heading out. Plus there are always manual snowguns in addition to whatever trails have automated fixed installations.
The final choice between the 4-5 finalists is based on online voting. I doubt few people who don't work in the ski industry bother or are even aware of the contest. Voting is only open for a relatively short period. It's nothing like the Favorite Ski Town or other marketing contests. The selection of the finalists is not a free-for-all. Not exactly sure how teams get nominated. Those who are finalists have to produce a 3-min video, plus a statement that's about paragraph.
Since the snowmaking discussion was moved into this own thread . . .
www.sunvalley.com
