snow making conditions

[julz m]

i do not know to much about the ski resort business, but would there be any reason for BB or any ski resort to not make as much snow as possible when they can? it seems like the more the better?

[method9455]

This doesn't apply right now because we are basically getting to the time when all the resorts pull the trigger and make snow at every oppurtunity but often times there are reason.

 

Early Season

- If it is too early and they don't have the staff, the budget, or have some special arrangement with the power company concerning dates or times of snowmaking, often times cold weather windows pass without them making snow

- Water temperature is too high early in the fall makes it more difficult in marginal temperatures

- Generally early season, there will always be a warm spell and if you can't make enough to get through that period it is a waste. Even if you can, you have to weight out if the money spent to make snow is worth the number of people who will show up in November. Generally the marketing alone seems to be worth it for smaller places that want to make a mark (JFBB, Shawnee for a time all are small PA mountains. Mount Snow is smaller than most VT mountains, A-basin and Loveland are always making prior to the bigger places in CO, Danbury CT is pretty much smaller than my backyard). Killington seems to be the biggest place that makes snow early, but that is a whole different can of worms

 

Late Season

-Budget is spent

-They close due to lack of business

 

Right now though, there is a big temperature window, water should be cold, and the season is upon us. You should see the mountains making snow for 100% of their capacity during 100% of the time during which temperature, wind, and power considerations make it possible.

[Saurus]

julz, can you stop making new topics with the same idea incorporated in each...