|
 |
 |
|
|
The Mt. Shasta Ski Park prides
itself with an extensive snowmaking system which potentially
can cover 277 acres out of a total of 425 acres with man-made
snow. This installation helps to complement the natural snow
cover during times when mother nature does not want to cooperate.
Particularly in the beginning of the season an artificial snow
layer makes a great base because the artificial snow crystals
are denser thus making the snow last longer.
The secret to “blowing” snow from any of the Ski
Park’s 19 snowguns is the combination of water under high
pressure and cold air. The Ski Park has a water holding pond
located uphill from the Marmot lift which holds 11 million gallons.
This amount of water could cover 34 acres of slopes 1 foot deep
with snow. It takes over 4 hours of snowmaking to cover approx ¾ acre
8 inches deep and it takes about 6 to 8 days of snow making to
drain the pond. All that cold water is pumped by 4 large pumps
with 550 psi of pressure through hundreds of feet of underground
snow making pipe straight to the Ski Park’s 22 snow guns.
Twenty of the snow guns are placed alongside the trail system
served by the Marmot and Douglas chairs. Two snow guns are installed
at the Super Pipe area on Upper Revolution run. Some of the snow
guns are fixed but others are movable by snowcat.
The snow gun serves as the mixing chamber for the water and air.
The mixture creates small water droplets under pressure, which
are then forced out of the small gun nozzle into the air. When
the mist of water droplets is released into the atmosphere's
lower pressure, it expands, releasing energy in the form of heat
and "super cooling" the droplets, which then freeze
as they drift to the ground. The temperatures must be at least
28 degrees to make quality snow. Wet Bulb Temperature is a temperature
measurement that combines the ambient air temperature and the
moisture content. Water freezes at 32 degrees F, but in most
cases, it's not cold enough for snowmaking, even when the cooling
effect of the compressed air is factored in. The moisture in
the air is a key factor in successful snowmaking.
The adjustment of the air/water mixture, along with the selection
and placement of the guns, is part of the process that constitutes
the snowmaker's art. Atmospheric conditions change constantly
even between different areas of the Ski Park slopes.
Snowmaking crews are busy every minute of the night adjusting
the air/water mixture in an effort to keep all the guns operating
efficiently.
It is always a challenge to find the right temperature window.
Particularly during inversion conditions snowmaking can be hindered
because warm air is trapped on the ground prohibiting the operation
of the snow guns.
At the Ski Park the snowmaking strategy is to make snow in the
base area first before moving up the mountain. After piles of
artificial snow are made at one location, the guns are moved
to a new location and the snow cats start pushing the piles of
snow. The piles are pushed to cover each run with a snow base
of about 18". The layers are then groomed two or three times
to create a smooth, even snow surface for our guests to enjoy.
Snow making is indeed an art and a constant challenge, but when
the conditions are right and the snow accumulates in big piles
it is a rewarding experience for the Ski Park snow making crew! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
