Magic Conditions

[Brownski]

Oof

 

[saratogahalfday]

WATER UPS AND DOWNS

December 8 Update:

The weather has been pretty poor, but the new snowmaking pond is 100% full with all the rain of late, including this week, with temps in the high 40s and 50s. We also now have the lower Brook pump working up to the pond for refill, so as we make snow we can be refilling the pond at the same time.

But, we have run into a major obstacle with the snowmaking system. In running some tests once the pond was full, water pressure was not significant enough from the pond up to the main pumphouse for water to then get up the mountain. There may be issues with the intake pipe--possibly a partial obstruction. This is a tough situation to deal with after spending so much time and money building the new dam at the pond and getting it filled this week. But, we have to play the hand we've been dealt as best we can. And, we have an experienced Operations Director in Paul Maitland systematically dealing with this new obstacle.

It does look by mid/late month that we will get some sustained cold weather, so we will do our best to get the pond problem fixed so we can begin to make snow. Given all this, a more realistic time frame for opening is 12/22 unless we get a major snowstorm before then. There's signals for one out there but it best not to look at it until we are much closer.

There are no updates on the Quad front as Pfister Mountain Services has not returned herey and has been radio-silent, much to our dismay to put it lightly. We will keep you posted.

The team is ready for you once snowmaking operations can begin. Sharon will again have Magic Merchants open this Saturday for shopping with the Tavern serving food, drinks and fun Thursday/Friday 4-10p and Saturday from 11a-11p. Good progress is being made on the new super deck for the 12/17 opening weekend as well. There are still great pre-season deals on day tickets when you purchase in advance, and season passes can be picked up at the mountain 10-4p during weekday office business hours.

Here's to positive vibes on the pond front so we can get water up the hill!

Magic = Charlie Brown.

 

[x10003q]

Of course the new snowmaking intake is effed up at Magic - the real question is why would anybody expect anything to work right at magic?

 

[snoloco]

So their snowmaking system is inoperative, and their lift contractor is AWOL. Not a good sign.

 

[Ripitz]

So their snowmaking system is inoperative, and their lift contractor is AWOL. Not a good sign.

My pumpkin beers are saying, MYOB and ski Alta.

 

[Tjf1967]

So their snowmaking system is inoperative, and their lift contractor is AWOL. Not a good sign.

Lol... step right up and buy some discounted lift tickets.

 

[Benny Profane]

But, but.....the trees! The....terrain!

 

[NYSkiBlog]

Greetings from Londonderry,

As you know, the weather has been less than wintry, with several big rain events. While helping fill the pond, if those had been snow, we'd skiing the deep. The outlook is improving with consistent below average temperatures coming mid month through Christmas with some snow chances on the horizon.

Snowmaking windows are now opening finally after the pond has been refilled, but unfortunately, we have run into a major obstacle with the snowmaking system. In running some tests once the pond was full, water volume from the pond under pressure up to the main pumphouse has not been enough for our booster pumps to get it up the mountain. This is a tough situation to deal with after spending so much time and money building the new dam at the pond and getting it filled this last week. But, we have to play the hand we've been dealt as best we can. And, we have an experienced Operations Director in Paul Maitland (plus our lead snowmaker Andrew Starr) systematically dealing with this new obstacle (nothing like an immediate snowmaking problem to welcome Paul to Magic, right?).

We have confirmed that all motors and drives at both the pond and main pumphouse are all performing properly. Today, we performed pressure gauge tests to rule out any underground pipe leaks from the pond to the main pumphouse as well as bringing in a pump expert for the in-water pump and stack to determine if that will need it to be pulled and repaired. As of this email, the underground pipe from the pond pumphouse to main booster pumps has no leak. We are also scoping a full "work around" if the pond pump has to be sent out for repair so we can withdraw water from the pond on a temporary basis by other means than using the current in-water pump stack. This would require renting another pump motor and would be a short-term solution to get us up and running much sooner, rather than much later. "Whatever it takes" has been our Mountain Operation's team mantra here--and it is being lived up to right now as the crew deals with this unexpected problem on the snowmaking front.

It does look like December is finally turning colder, so we will do everything humanly possible to get the pond pumphouse problem fixed so we can begin to make snow. Given all this, a more realistic time frame for opening is 12/23 unless we get a major snowstorm before then. There is a signal for one out there late next week but it's best not to look at it until we are much closer.

There are no updates on the Quad Lift front as Pfister Mountain Services has not returned to Magic yet and has gone "radio-silent" to our many calls over the last two weeks, much to our dismay to put it lightly. We will keep you posted as soon as we know anything. But we will have Red and Green Lifts spinning as well as the Terrain Park handle tow and beginner area Sunkids carpet lift ready-to-go.

So here's to positive vibes on the snowmaking pond front and us all getting back together soon for the holidays with mother-nature bringing the snow!

Keeping the soul in skiing,

Geoff

Geoff Hatheway
Magic Mountain Ski Area
Where Skiing Still Has Its Soul

 

[tirolski]

...As of this email, the underground pipe from the pond pumphouse to main booster pumps has no leak. We are also scoping a full "work around" if the pond pump has to be sent out for repair so we can withdraw water from the pond on a temporary basis by other means than using the current in-water pump stack. This would require renting another pump motor and would be a short-term solution to get us up and running much sooner, rather than much later. "Whatever it takes" has been our Mountain Operation's team mantra here--and it is being lived up to right now as the crew deals with this unexpected problem on the snowmaking front.

Ain’t there any unused fire trucks around?
Or big ass portable pumps on wheels?
Farmers use them to push manure for miles in The Upstate.
It ain’t rocket surgery.
manure dragline pump miles

 

[saratogahalfday]

As of 12/14, we expect to be testing and, if all goes well, running the snowmaking system late Wednesday with a new rental pond pumping unit. If the major snowstorm hits in full-force late this week, there is a possibility of opening at this weekend, but it would take approximately 15″ plus to open some upper mountain terrain. There is basically no base, but we did receive 2-3″ of light snow on 12/11 that is still there. If we open this Saturday at 9am, it would be recommended for advanced skiers/riders and “rock” skis would also be recommended, not the new pair of sticks, as obstacles will exist under the snow. Do not expect groomed trails on Saturday although we may have one off the Green Lift. The denser/wetter the snow, the better for getting a decent protective base. East Side terrain could be open from the top and depending on what we see fall on Friday, perhaps some select West Side trails get in play as the day goes on Saturday. Final call on opening for this weekend will be midday Friday. Just have to see how the storm plays out. NWS Albany has us in the 8-16″ range. If it’s 16″, it will be fun.

Cold weather seems to be looking pretty good through the Christmas holiday, so winter is looking real finally and it’s time to plan to be at Magic over the holidays.