Manmade -vs- Natural

[catherine]

Did some research... value your opinions. I have had the opinion that you can't tell the difference but don't trust my abilities to be a fair judge.

 

[Not Sure]

Probably a combination. Been skiing in New England for over 30 years now. I've skied almost every area here over 1000 vert and been a season pass holder at about 15 different areas. The fan gun snow they crank out at Crotched is incredible. Appreciably better than the fan gun snow I've skied at Attitash, so maybe that's the skill component.

Some mineral in the water? Helps with Neucleation?

Addatives used? page 2

http://www.uvm.edu/~wbowden/Teachin...012/Final_Reports/Group7_Ski_Resorts_Snow.pdf

.

 

[catsup948]

Manmade- what I ski during the week
Natural- what I search for on the weekends

 

[Bumpsis]

Man made snow sucks! Period!

OK, it is possible to make really good man made snow that feels as good as freshly fallen (natural) snow but most ski areas won't make it because they want their product to last. They want that white sticky stuff to coat and adhere to the previously made layer that will accumulate and last through a good few thaws and rain showers - the bullet proof white slick that passes skiable snow cover around here.

We've all experienced it: you start off in the morning on that freshly made corduroy but with enough ski/snowboard traffic (I'm talking weekend traffic), it's all ice by noon. White, hard pounded slick that you can hardly get your edges into and what passes for the standard eastern ski surface called "packed powder" in ski reports. It's just really NOT FUN.

Unless there has been a healthy layer of natural snow deposited on the slopes, I have a really hard time convincing myself to come out and pay big money to ski icy crap.

In natural snow droughts like we have now, I really don't even start skiing until a few good snowfalls. I'm glad they make snow now for it makes a good base, but to ski on that? Not me.

I may make an exception for some mid week ski outings, but if it's a prospect of skiing on man made during a weekend - I'd rather hike.
Of course, once spring skiing time comes, then it's go time. Man made or natural cover is really all the same once it's metamorphosed by freeze - thaw cycles.

 

[ss20]

Man made snow sucks! Period!

OK, it is possible to make really good man made snow that feels as good as freshly fallen (natural) snow but most ski areas won't make it because they want their product to last. They want that white sticky stuff to coat and adhere to the previously made layer that will accumulate and last through a good few thaws and rain showers - the bullet proof white slick that passes skiable snow cover around here.

We've all experienced it: you start off in the morning on that freshly made corduroy but with enough ski/snowboard traffic (I'm talking weekend traffic), it's all ice by noon. White, hard pounded slick that you can hardly get your edges into and what passes for the standard eastern ski surface called "packed powder" in ski reports. It's just really NOT FUN.

Unless there has been a healthy layer of natural snow deposited on the slopes, I have a really hard time convincing myself to come out and pay big money to ski icy crap.

In natural snow droughts like we have now, I really don't even start skiing until a few good snowfalls. I'm glad they make snow now for it makes a good base, but to ski on that? Not me.

I may make an exception for some mid week ski outings, but if it's a prospect of skiing on man made during a weekend - I'd rather hike.
Of course, once spring skiing time comes, then it's go time. Man made or natural cover is really all the same once it's metamorphosed by freeze - thaw cycles.

Careful. You're flirting with Snowlover territory.

 

[marcski]

Did some research... value your opinions. I have had the opinion that you can't tell the difference but don't trust my abilities to be a fair judge.

I have the opposite opinion.

 

[yeggous]

I agree that Crotched has some of the best man made snow I've ever had the pleasure of skiing. Illusion at Attitash was close to that level today. The difference is at Crotched won't hesitate to resurface and has the capacity to carpet the mountain in short order.

There is skiiable natural snow right now at Wildcat. It is true that after several days there is no difference. Either form morphs itself into spheres due to sublimation and fusion.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[deadheadskier]

Too bad Wildcat doesn't have the energy capacity to run Fans like Crotch does. Can you imagine?

 

[steamboat1]

Anyone get any man made face shots lately?

How about ever?

Hip deep anyone?

I rest my case.

 

[Cornhead]

Anyone get any man made face shots lately?

How about ever?

Hip deep anyone?

I rest my case.

If getting your goggles iced over as you ski by a gun is a "man made face shot", yes. Hip deep? I think I usually just ski over the top of any hip deep whales, that shit is DENSE. I'll be taking advantage of Hunter's snow making prowess tomorrow, should be good, I hope all the partiers sleep in tomorrow.

Snow Ridge could get up to two feet by Thursday, and may reopen Friday, but I've got to take my Son to the airport in SYR on Friday. Too bad he doesn't have an early flight, SYR is half way to Snow Ridge for me.

Sorry, just noticed the topic, had a very interesting experience with man made snow at Elk last year. They blew snow on top of a bump run. Somehow it was evenly distributed. It was like nothing I've ever skied before. They were the easiest bumps I've ever skied. The " snow" was supremely edgeable, it felt like styro foam. You could edge anywhere you wanted, making it extremely easy to ski. Skiing the bumps was sheerly a matter of shock absorption, it was bizarre. The bump equivalent of a freshly groomed trail.

 

[MadMadWorld]

Dammit where is Snowlover when you need him!

 

[MadMadWorld]

Anyone get any man made face shots lately?

How about ever?

Hip deep anyone?

I rest my case.

I don't usually agree with you but these are all sound points Steamboat1!

 

[VTKilarney]

Man made snow is like a partner that will always be there for you - through good and bad.

Natural snow is like a lover who comes to town unexpectedly, gives you a great time, but then leaves even though you don't want her to leave.

Both have their selling points.

 

[marcski]

Man made snow is like a partner that will always be there for you - through good and bad.

Natural snow is like a lover who comes to town unexpectedly, gives you a great time, but then leaves even though you don't want her to leave.

Both have their selling points.

Great post! :beer:

 

[Domeskier]

Unless it's powdery, I can't tell the difference. Or maybe I've been skiing domes and Sundown too much that I've forgotten what natural snow skis like...

 

[Hawkshot99]

Anyone get any man made face shots lately?

How about ever?


I rest my case.

Recieved? No, giv......nevermind....

 

[AdironRider]

Man made skis better in the spring, corns up real nice.

All other timeframes - natural all the way.

 

[steamboat1]

Man made skis better in the spring, corns up real nice.

All other timeframes - natural all the way.

Manmade may last longer in the spring but I wouldn't say it corns up any better, quite the opposite actually. I guess you've never skied the all natural trails at Stowe, MRG, etc. in the spring.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Natural is usually superior snow. Most good points have already been made in this thread, only thing I could add that I dont think has been stated is the natural way that natural snow falls as opposed to being blown.

 

[AdironRider]

Manmade may last longer in the spring but I wouldn't say it corns up any better, quite the opposite actually. I guess you've never skied the all natural trails at Stowe, MRG, etc. in the spring.

To each their own, but out West the natural stuff gets all suncupped while corning up, which just sucks to ride.