Guns n’ Hoses: Mount Snow Gets $3.5 Million Upgrade in Snowmaking Technology for 2007-08

Mount Snow announced it is upgrading its snowmaking capabilities for the 2007-08 skiing and snowboard season by investing approximately $3.5 million in fan gun technology.

Senior management and the ski area’s new owners, Peak Resorts, are working with Snow Machines, Inc. (SMIÒ) to plan the most effective use of existing resources with an array of products from SMI’s Polecat product line.

“This is going to have a significant effect on the experience for skiers and snowboarders at our resort,” says Mount Snow General Manager, Kelly Pawlak. “We will be able to open with more terrain earlier in the season and sustain it longer through stretches with marginal temperatures.”

By way of example Pawlak cites the Snowdance trail, a popular trail that current snowmaking capability can only cover from skier’s left to center. After the upgrade, Pawlak says this extremely wide trail could be covered side-to-side with greater base depth, allowing it to open earlier than previous seasons.

Placement of all guns and hydrants are currently undergoing a similar review, according to Pawlak, with snowmaking goals ranging from recovering depths on trails quickly after temperature fluctuations to adding a layer of powder on top of recent snowfall.

“We don’t want snowmakers spending time re-positioning guns and hoses when they could be pumping out snow,” says Pawlak.

Polecat fan guns require 20-25% less compressed air than other technologies, while putting out more snow in marginal temperature conditions. Pawlak says Mount Snow expects to see a substantial savings in energy costs, and adds this investment also aids Mount Snow’s long-term project for increasing their snowmaking water supply.

"Peak Resorts is really being forward-thinking by planning and building the infrastructure now,” Pawlak says. “When the water is in place, we’ll be able to start making snow on all four mountain faces right away."

Peak Resorts operates 11 ski areas and 2 golf courses in 6 states. Peak Resorts, Inc. is committed to building an enhanced resort experience at each of their properties.