ORDA Snowmaking Improvements

[snoloco]

I don't think enough attention has been brought to the sheer magnitude of a difference ORDA's recent snowmaking improvements have made. All 3 ORDA mountains are opening earlier than almost anyone, and in Whiteface's case, with the most terrain ever available on opening day. Killington and Sunday River will only beat Gore and Belleayre by one day, and only beat Whiteface by two days.

ORDA used to be last and least when it came to snowmaking. They were never among the first non-Killington or non-Sunday River resorts to open. They always had limited terrain, and often poor conditions. Then they had the slowest terrain rollout, often lasting into February.

Over the last several years, all 3 have put many millions of dollars into snowmaking, and now we are really seeing the difference it all made. Between pumping capacity upgrades, efficiency improvements, and hundreds upon hundreds of new guns, it all added up. Time will tell how fast their full terrain rollout is, but I have to think it will be significantly better than in previous years.

When I switched to Killington last year, I swore I'd never buy another ORDA pass again, but I am now seriously considering getting one.

 

[tirolski]

Looks like they might be using a shit-ton of the new HKD’s.

Approved resolution 443.

..."WHEREAS, ORDA desires to enter into a proposed Agreement that calls for the purchase of new snowmaking equipment from HKD Snowmakers (the "Agreement") for ORDA's Belleayre Mountain, Gore Mountain and Whiteface Mountain Venues (the "Venues"); and
WHEREAS, the Agreement includes the purchase of 770 HKD Impulse low energy, high performance snowguns, 4 HDK Volt low energy snowguns, and related equipment (the "Snowmaking Equipment"); and
WHEREAS, following a request for qualifications in the New York State Contract Reporter ("NYSCR"), HKD Snowmakers submitted the only responsive proposal that met ORDA's minimum specifications and requirements as prescribed in the NYSCR posting; and
WHEREAS, HKD Snowmakers was determined to provide the best value for ORDA;
and
WHEREAS, the purchase of the Snowmaking Equipment is part of a continuing effort to provide upgrades and improvements to ORDA facilities, which include increasing energy efficiency and snowmaking capacity at the Venues; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the total lump sum value of the Snowmaking Equipment will be $4,960,089.50; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of the Snowmaking Equipment will qualify for up to 50% utility efficiency incentives totaling $2,480,044.75, which could bring the total cost of the Snowmaking Equipment after incentives to $2,480,044.75; ..."

Emphasis added
Ya still need horsepower, air and water too.
And cold weather.

 

[Low Angle Life]

I don't think enough attention has been brought to the sheer magnitude of a difference ORDA's recent snowmaking improvements have made.

Must not have been paying attention to the Belleayre conditions or other ORDA mountains condition threads last season. Despite what I would call a shit season for natural snow in the Cats, I rode November clear through late April. But on the other hand don't get an ORDA pass, I prefer everyone thinking mega passes offer better value and go else where.

 

[Adirondack Johnny]

I was just gonna say ... ORDA was like "Surprise bitch!"

 

[Harvey]

I don't think enough attention has been brought to the sheer magnitude of a difference ORDA's recent snowmaking improvements have made. All 3 ORDA mountains are opening earlier than almost anyone, and in Whiteface's case, with the most terrain ever available on opening day. Killington and Sunday River will only beat Gore and Belleayre by one day, and only beat Whiteface by two days.

ORDA used to be last and least when it came to snowmaking. They were never among the first non-Killington or non-Sunday River resorts to open. They always had limited terrain, and often poor conditions. Then they had the slowest terrain rollout, often lasting into February.

Over the last several years, all 3 have put many millions of dollars into snowmaking, and now we are really seeing the difference it all made. Between pumping capacity upgrades, efficiency improvements, and hundreds upon hundreds of new guns, it all added up. Time will tell how fast their full terrain rollout is, but I have to think it will be significantly better than in previous years.

When I switched to Killington last year, I swore I'd never buy another ORDA pass again, but I am now seriously considering getting one.

You did it bro!

 

[Adirondack Johnny]

You did it bro!

 

[TheGreatAbyss]

Dude I've been singing ORDA's praises since early last season, and even more recently. It was shocking how much snow Belle laid down early last season with such terrible weather. Not only are those HKD guns powerful but the snow that comes out of them is skiable right from the get-go

 

[tirolski]

It’s a wonder watcha can do with a couple hundred million bucks.

"ORDA’s capital budget is separate from its operational budget — the hundreds of millions of dollars the state has invested into upgrades to ORDA’s winter sports venues over the past few years are part of ORDA’s capital budget. The state recently approved another $105 million for ORDA projects in its 2023 fiscal year budget. ORDA got $105 million in the 2021-2022 state budget, $144.5 million in the 2020-2021 budget, $80 million in 2018-2019 and $20 million in the 2017-2018 budget."

ORDA approves capital expenditures

LAKE PLACID — The state Olympic Regional Development Authority Board of Directors approved more than $91.7 million in upcoming capital projects on Monday, April 18, including the construction of a new lodge at the North Creek Ski Bowl and a new lift at Whiteface Mountain. The ORDA board passed...

www.lakeplacidnews.com

 

[tirolski]

It’s a wonder watcha can do with a couple hundred million bucks.

Over half a billion bucks over the last six years but who’s counting?

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES OPENING DATES OF THE 2022-23 ALPINE AND NORDIC SKIING SEASON AT ORDA VENUES | SANY - SKI AREAS OF NEW YORK, INC

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES OPENING DATES OF THE 2022-23 ALPINE AND NORDIC SKIING SEASON AT ORDA VENUES Gore and Belleayre Mountain Ski Areas to Open Tomorrow; Other World-Class Venues Set to Open This Month Follows New York State Investment in Upgrades, Renovations, Snowmaking to Support New...

www.iskiny.com

At least they use the words snow and snowmaking unlike Vail Resorts Inc's blurbs.

 

[snoloco]

Dude I've been singing ORDA's praises since early last season, and even more recently. It was shocking how much snow Belle laid down early last season with such terrible weather. Not only are those HKD guns powerful but the snow that comes out of them is skiable right from the get-go

The HKD guns are excellent. I remember when Hunter first got them in the early 2010s. They would resurface the entire mountain overnight after thaws.

Back to Belleayre, I initially found it odd that they were opening with Algonquin first, but it actually makes a lot of sense. With Algonquin, it requires opening connector trails like Route 9 and The Crossing. This provides a more seamless connection as they start getting terrain on the east side open. According to the snow report, they will be moving to Dot Nebel, Iroquois, and the bunny hill as they finish up what they are working on. I would expect to see those come online by next weekend. That means for Thanksgiving, they'll have 4 routes down the west side, plus Lower Deer Run, Iroquois, and the bunny hill. That's unheard of for this time of year without significant natural snow.

While Whiteface has yet to reveal where they are moving to next, top to bottom skiing off the summit, before Thanksgiving, is also unheard of.

Gore made significant improvements before the other two, so they're not quite as far ahead as they have been in previous years, but they'll still be in really good shape by next weekend.