The "Sugarbush Thread"

[tumbler]

Can we use the box of spare parts from Slidey B and NRX that is in the corner of the lift maintenance building to fix the cooling system on the compressors?

They were already used to fix a groomer

 

[doublediamond]

How reliable is GMP there? Both trips I took to SB had power issues. They’re at the end of the lines with no redundancy (e.g., down 100 to the South).

Even if SB wanted a decent fleet of fan guns to supplement air water usage like a lot of areas do, they may just not be able to with GMP.

 

[cdskier]

How reliable is GMP there? Both trips I took to SB had power issues. They’re at the end of the lines with no redundancy (e.g., down 100 to the South).

Even if SB wanted a decent fleet of fan guns to supplement air water usage like a lot of areas do, they may just not be able to with GMP.

Not that I want to jinx it, but I rarely lose power at my condo. Even if it goes out when I'm not there, I'd still be notified via an automated e-mail so I'd know about it. A major power issue is typically only caused by a major storm that has either a lot of heavy snow, ice, or wind to take down trees and power lines.

 

[djd66]

maybe they can use some of the parts from the old Superstar lift they truck up this past summer?

 

[doublediamond]

This is the issue I was pointing out. If the Impulses are stepping down to 20 CFM already on 3/4, that is why you guys are making spooge and taking a week to open a trail. The air compression calculations I provided are or equipment built to what is typically shipped to customers. If you want to be able to convert any meaningful amount of water, they need to be valved higher, especially given the wide hydrant density.

I have attached my Impulse flow chart for comparison. These are R5s, but as you can tell, there is more air utilization, and more water conversion in the middle of the curve. We were able to move 31 GPM using 66 CFM at a 20 degree WB per gun.

You can't size your air compression on an ideal wet bulb in late December, and you can't be nozzled/valved for that either. Have to be able to burst in marginal. It is mindboggling that 4100 CFM seems to be acceptable to management for a hill with as much snowmaking acreage as Lincoln. The perceived snowmaking complaints (speed and quality) make far more sense now.

Is it possible to order larger nucs to get more water flow at marginal temps? (If SB had the air)

I’ve seen areas put in temporary Y’s on snowmaking hydrants to get effectively more hydrants. Killington was the master of this with WC snow production especially at the bottom in the arena. I’ve also seen areas daisy chain two ground HKDs to get more production. Yes these last two options are more labor intensive, but that might be what they need to open quicker.

 

[fulgoreXC]

Wow I really kicked a nest. Lots of good q’s. And comments. To add some context… right now SB is running pushover slow poke and coffee run. Along with first time and other guns in the base. According to the IKON app it’s 22 in the base area. The water is maxed but there’s still air cap remaining. For sure it should be a priority to bring the cooling system back online but at times like now it’s easy reprioritize. It’s my understanding those two 6000’s haven’t been fired up since the 2016-17 season.

Fan guns are sweet tools but when you look at the $ to gallons it’s a 7:1 cost difference when compared to HKD tower guns. That being said anywhere there’s power like transformers near lifts a receptacle should be available to plug in a portable.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Wow I really kicked a nest. Lots of good q’s. And comments. To add some context… right now SB is running pushover slow poke and coffee run. Along with first time and other guns in the base. According to the IKON app it’s 22 in the base area. The water is maxed but there’s still air cap remaining. For sure it should be a priority to bring the cooling system back online but at times like now it’s easy reprioritize. It’s my understanding those two 6000’s haven’t been fired up since the 2016-17 season.

Fan guns are sweet tools but when you look at the $ to gallons it’s a 7:1 cost difference when compared to HKD tower guns. That being said anywhere there’s power like transformers near lifts a receptacle should be available to plug in a portable.

Liking the new Yes Tomorrow on the new mid mountain snow stake. The snow clinging to the mountain shapes looks like a ski trail. 5” now and still snowing. Look closely for that copy change, good sense of humor there!

 

[Hawk]

Wow I really kicked a nest. Lots of good q’s. And comments. To add some context… right now SB is running pushover slow poke and coffee run. Along with first time and other guns in the base. According to the IKON app it’s 22 in the base area. The water is maxed but there’s still air cap remaining. For sure it should be a priority to bring the cooling system back online but at times like now it’s easy reprioritize. It’s my understanding those two 6000’s haven’t been fired up since the 2016-17 season.

Fan guns are sweet tools but when you look at the $ to gallons it’s a 7:1 cost difference when compared to HKD tower guns. That being said anywhere there’s power like transformers near lifts a receptacle should be available to plug in a portable.

Would you care to share where you are getting this information? Or are you guessing or making this up.

 

[jonnyco14]

I really don't understand this: First Time is now open for Ski and Ride Lessons, currently hike only.

Can you imagine paying for a lesson and having to hike....Is it broken or do they just not want to pay to staff it?

 

[Lotso]

I really don't understand this: First Time is now open for Ski and Ride Lessons, currently hike only.

Can you imagine paying for a lesson and having to hike....Is it broken or do they just not want to pay to staff it?

Probably the latter. I don't think J1s start until the 15th?

 

[tumbler]

Wow I really kicked a nest. Lots of good q’s. And comments. To add some context… right now SB is running pushover slow poke and coffee run. Along with first time and other guns in the base. According to the IKON app it’s 22 in the base area. The water is maxed but there’s still air cap remaining. For sure it should be a priority to bring the cooling system back online but at times like now it’s easy reprioritize. It’s my understanding those two 6000’s haven’t been fired up since the 2016-17 season.

Fan guns are sweet tools but when you look at the $ to gallons it’s a 7:1 cost difference when compared to HKD tower guns. That being said anywhere there’s power like transformers near lifts a receptacle should be available to plug in a portable.

If the two 6000's haven't been fired up since 2016-17 then they need some serious TLC from IR before thinking about turning them on. They are very precise and delicate machines.
Would the old Ratniks and SR-7's use less water per gun than the low E ones do now? With more air capacity and the same water capacity there would be many more guns running with the current temps and not maxed out on water. That used to happen in the low single digits. Is there a pump or two down?

 

[thetrailboss]

I really don't understand this: First Time is now open for Ski and Ride Lessons, currently hike only.

Can you imagine paying for a lesson and having to hike....Is it broken or do they just not want to pay to staff it?

Wait, what?

 

[Newpylong]

If the two 6000's haven't been fired up since 2016-17 then they need some serious TLC from IR before thinking about turning them on. They are very precise and delicate machines.
Would the old Ratniks and SR-7's use less water per gun than the low E ones do now? With more air capacity and the same water capacity there would be many more guns running with the current temps and not maxed out on water. That used to happen in the low single digits. Is there a pump or two down?

A Rat BSG x2 or SR7 will convert more water until you get down into the mid-teens wet bulb. Then they will taper out around the same as Low-E depending on how they are nozzled. Beyond that is when sublimination starts to occur due to how dry/cold it is.

 

[fulgoreXC]

Would you care to share where you are getting this information? Or are you guessing or making this up.

Def. not making it up. Former industry insider with firsthand knowledge of the SB system.

 

[Newpylong]

Is it possible to order larger nucs to get more water flow at marginal temps? (If SB had the air)

I’ve seen areas put in temporary Y’s on snowmaking hydrants to get effectively more hydrants. Killington was the master of this with WC snow production especially at the bottom in the arena. I’ve also seen areas daisy chain two ground HKDs to get more production. Yes these last two options are more labor intensive, but that might be what they need to open quicker.

Absolutely, the Impulses can be re-nozzled and re-valved. It's a job for the off-season. not something you would go out and lower every head and do mid-season like an older Standard or Spectrum for example.

T's are a pain because you have to shut both guns down to do anything but definitely can be helpful. They were able to get T2B open at Black so early because we put T's on many hydrants on the headwall and they ran Vipers on the ground in between every tower.

 

[fulgoreXC]

If the two 6000's haven't been fired up since 2016-17 then they need some serious TLC from IR before thinking about turning them on. They are very precise and delicate machines.
Would the old Ratniks and SR-7's use less water per gun than the low E ones do now? With more air capacity and the same water capacity there would be many more guns running with the current temps and not maxed out on water. That used to happen in the low single digits. Is there a pump or two down?

It's my understanding the machines have been maintained annually per the manufacturer's recommendations including tear down and inspections. Should be good to go once the cooling system is sealed up.

 

[fulgoreXC]

Absolutely, the Impulses can be re-nozzled and re-valved. It's a job for the off-season. not something you would go out and lower every head and do mid-season.

T's are a pain because you have to shut both guns down to do anything but definitely can be helpful. They were able to get T2B open at Black so early because we put T's on many hydrants on the headwall and they ran Vipers on the ground in between every tower.

Splitters are used frequently at SB. They call them "Gemini's". Some of the splitters have valves so the hydrant can stay on but each gun can be isolated if needed.

 

[slatham]

When hiking this summer I saw several hydrants with one stem/shaft, but two heads. Looked to be new.

 

[HowieT2]

It's my understanding the machines have been maintained annually per the manufacturer's recommendations including tear down and inspections. Should be good to go once the cooling system is sealed up.

Why haven't they been fixed in 9 years? that is borderline unbelievable.

 

[djd66]

Why haven't they been fixed in 9 years? that is borderline unbelievable.

Completely agree,... Why would they spend $500K on a magic carpet when this is much more important to the skiing public? (assuming a pump replacement is $500K)