The better snowmaking approach?

[Greg]

A.) Expand as much terrain as possible with just adequate coverage.
B.) Concentrate on a few key runs and build very deep bases.

 

[riverc0il]

depends on traffic levels. high traffic i would prefer an area build deep bases. low traffic, go ahead and expand. also if an area expects a lot of natural snow fall, might as well open trails as the base depth will be there eventually. probably a few other variables too such as terrain, number of lodges, lift configuration, acres per trail, and other such individual mountain variables. i think it really depends mountain to mountain. it would also matter if a ski areas MO is to blow on one trail and never return to it again or keep freshening it up. the former would suggest option B while the latter would suggest option A.

 

[bvibert]

I think that getting a good solid base on key trails is the way to go...

My answer is B

 

[from_the_NEK]

This year I'd rather see a little more effort to expand more terrain. Running the same few trails over and over just hasn't appealed to me. That is why I have only been out once this year. As long as the rock are covered and I can slide downhill that is cool with me.

 

[snoseek]

blow deep on a couple of core trails, then blow thin and expand fast.

 

[hammer]

blow deep on a couple of core trails, then blow thin and expand fast.

Agree...

 

[from_the_NEK]

blow deep on a couple of core trails, then blow thin and expand fast.

Best of both worlds 8)

 

[ajl50]

I pay 60+ a lift ticket. Do both.

 

[dmc]

blow deep on a couple of core trails, then blow thin and expand fast.

yup... thats the answer

 

[KingM]

The way it's been up here lately, and with the heavy rains predicted this weekend, opening a lot of trails with thin cover is the same as flushing money down the toilet. I was thinking today that the resorts should just build one single pile of snow about fifty feet deep, then cover it with a tarp until the rains depart, then spread it onto the trails only when it's clear that there will be a good stretch of either cold or dry weather.

 

[Grassi21]

I was thinking today that the resorts should just build one single pile of snow about fifty feet deep, then cover it with a tarp until the rains depart, then spread it onto the trails only when it's clear that there will be a good stretch of either cold or dry weather.

Now this sounds reasonable. How many ski areas do you think would consider taking this approach?

 

[Greg]

Now this sounds reasonable. How many ski areas do you think would consider taking this approach?

Nowhere near 50' and they don't ever use a tarp, but Sundown has been known to blow a pretty impressive stockpile at the summit that can be used later in the season to do some patchwork.

 

[bvibert]

Nowhere near 50' and they don't ever use a tarp, but Sundown has been known to blow a pretty impressive stockpile at the summit that can be used later in the season to do some patchwork.

Yup, they usually do. The problem is that this year they haven't had a chance to get open all the trails let alone stock-pile snow...

 

[threecy]

Building stockpiles doesn't quite matter as much with the type of snow we've seen so far, as once you start pushing it around in this mild weather, you have a mess.

 

[kingslug]

This is a great question to ask Hunter. I'm sure they have a pretty good formula for how they blow and open terrain. What might seem like a great idea to us might not work. I believe it can cost upwards of 50K a day to blow. Those few core trails they build up allow us to at least keep skiing through dry spells like this. The thin cover just gets thinner every day. Hunter blew 6 inches back over the top to bottom runs and didn't try to open any new trials. It worked out well as they held up and prolly will for some time. I've worked with pumps and compressors this size and it's unbelievable how much they cost to run. It's a money game.

 

[Newpylong]

Or you could just build a manmade glaciar like Superstar in the 90's, lol. 30' + !!