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New Technology Could Make Snow at Any Temperature!

ski diva

Administrator
Staff member
Wouldn't this be great? Although I think sustaining the snow could be the real challenge.......

From Unofficial Networks:

Revolutionary Snowmaking Tech That Can Make Snow At Any Temperature​

by unofficialnetw​

unofficialnetw12 hours ago
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In the ever-evolving world of skiing, the constant quest for perfect snow conditions is a challenge that all ski resorts face. With climate change altering traditional snowfall patterns, the skiing industry has been eagerly searching for innovative solutions. That’s where Latitude 90’s All-Weather Snowmaking Technology comes in; this tech could be a game-changer in the realm of ski resort operations.

Understanding the Limitations of Traditional Snowmaking

Traditionally, snowmaking has been a temperature-dependent affair, confined to the freezing point or below. This limitation has posed significant challenges, particularly in milder climates or during warmer winters, leading to inconsistent snow coverage on the slopes. The skiing experience, as well as resort operations and revenues, heavily relies on the whims of weather, necessitating a more reliable solution.

Enter Latitude 90’s All-Weather Snowmaking Technology

Latitude 90 has stepped up to this challenge with its cutting-edge All-Weather Snowmaking Technology. What sets this system apart is its ability to produce high-quality snow even at temperatures up to 10°C (50°F). Through advanced refrigeration and water atomization techniques, this technology ensures that ski resorts can maintain optimal snow conditions throughout the season, irrespective of natural snowfall.

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The Multifaceted Benefits of All-Weather Snowmaking
  1. Extended Ski Seasons: Resorts can now dream of longer seasons, opening earlier and closing later, thanks to the ability to create snow in warmer temperatures.
  2. Enhanced Snow Quality: The technology produces snow that closely resembles the texture and quality of natural snow, elevating the overall skiing and snowboarding experience.
  3. Eco-Friendly Approach: Latitude 90 prioritizes energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, reducing the ecological footprint of snowmaking.
  4. Operational Consistency: With more control over snow conditions, resorts can better plan and manage their resources, ensuring a more reliable skiing experience for guests.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Snowmaking in Skiing

As the impacts of climate change continue to challenge traditional skiing seasons, technologies like Latitude 90’s are becoming increasingly crucial. Future enhancements are expected to focus on energy conservation and water efficiency, with the potential for automated integration with resort management systems.

A New Era for Ski Resorts?

Latitude 90’s All-Weather Snowmaking Technology is not just an advancement; it holds the promise of a snowmaking revolution. If the technology is adopted and expanded to ski areas across the country we could see a more predictable future for ski enthusiasts and resort operators alike. As this technology gains traction, it is set to redefine the standards of skiing, ensuring that the slopes remain an enticing destination for winter sports, regardless of the weather whims.
 

snoWYmonkey

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have a hard time with man made snow in the first place. About half of the resorts that have hosted Olympics will not have reliable snow cover by 2050. Machines like this will accelerate our climate scene.

It takes 3 to 4 thousand cubic meters to cover 2.5 acres of a run. The biggest of these devices makes only 3 hundred per 24 hr period. If it is 50 degrees and sunny I bet at least half would melt in that time. Many resorts have hundreds or thousands of acres of runs.

The average US snow making electrical costs are half a million dollars per season per resort and that's before freezing the water.

This energy hogging beast would be great for a single small rope tow or chair lift zone or a play zone. Not sure I want to ski past a container sized machine every few hundred feet.

It is not my intention to be hurtful by feeling discouraged with these inventions. I just wish we could find ways to reduce not increase our footprints while still pursuing activities that we love.
 

marzNC

Angel Diva
I have a hard time with man made snow in the first place. About half of the resorts that have hosted Olympics will not have reliable snow cover by 2050. Machines like this will accelerate our climate scene.
Without snowmaking, there would not have been any ski areas open after about 1980 in many of the mountains along the Atlantic coast. Same for the midwest. Boyne Mountain in Michigan was created by Everett Kircher in the 1950s because he was able to invent snowmaking machinery. There are close to 500 ski areas/resorts in the USA. Fair to say that many would not be viable businesses without at least some snowmaking during the early season. A large percentage of the profits come during the 2-3 weeks around winter breaks.

The ski industry is well aware of their carbon footprint. The number of ski resorts that have shifted to low-e snowguns and/or are shifting to renewable sources of electric energy is growing every year. It's a major topic for SAM, the magazine aimed at people who work in the industry.

From what I've read in the last decade about snowmaking "boxes" that can produce snow in warm conditions that more typical snowguns cannot operate effectively, they are used mainly during early season in order to allow a few trails to open by early December.

Mount Van Hoevenberg invested in a system in order to get XC trails open for team training. They leased for a couple winters before buying a Snow Factory box.

Beech Mountain in NC used a Latitude 90 to get snow on their tubing hill at the start of the 2022-23 season. That can be a major money maker over Thanksgiving weekend and the winter break period, even if Mother Nature hasn't allowed enough hours for snowmaking on the slopes.

December 2022
 
Last edited:

marzNC

Angel Diva
The snowmaking box that Mount VanHo got is the Snow Factory from TechnoAlpine. The list on their website includes ski resorts in the USA, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Pretty sure that Mount Buller in Australia has more than one Snow Factory.

 

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