Will all snowmaking trails open this year?
This has obviously been a tough Winter in terms of weather, and Sunday River has once again shown they are the best in the business when it comes to snowmaking. No complaints here at all. That said, they are clearly behind schedule on opening terrain, and there are many expert trails that require a lot of resources that still haven't seen snowmaking. In an average year, most of the expansion/base building is done by around the end of January. Will the mountain be forced to forgo snowmaking on any major routes this year? I would hate to see a trail like Shockwave not open, but it has certainly been a tough year for snowmaking budgets, and I am guessing it would be February before they could get to all of them. Curious people's thoughts, particularly from the mountain, assuming they even know the answer at this point.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by MonkeyBrook on -
Not sure on the tough year for snowmaking, just think of how warm it was in December where they didnt even try to blow snow...thus saving $$. Still very early in the season to give up on natural snow. Half January, all February and March...meat of the season...stay +.
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Permalink Reply by bob r/vortex on -
Two sides here, they made quite a bit of snow when it was humid and 28 F and it cost a premium dollar.
I like the natural snow idea.
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Permalink Reply by Riverskier on -
Definitely haven't given up on natural snow! Remember 06-07? Similar start to this season and February through April was some of the best skiing of my life. As for the snowmaking budget, Bob is right on, and they made a TON of snow in marginal temps and saw quite a bit of it melt. No negativity intended, just curious about any insights as far as the snow plan going forward.
MonkeyBrook said:Not sure on the tough year for snowmaking, just think of how warm it was in December where they didnt even try to blow snow...thus saving $$. Still very early in the season to give up on natural snow. Half January, all February and March...meat of the season...stay +.
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Permalink Reply by jerryg on -
And let's not forget that the lack of snow and warm temps has likely cost the mountain money from cancelled books and what appeared to be a low turnout for x-mas vacation. Unless #s pick up dramatically, it would be hard to be critical of the mountain if they decided to held back on some of the snowmaking.
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Permalink Reply by johnnysmoothcat on
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i believe it was the valentine's day storm that really kicked off the season that year...and to close there was 7-9 feet of snow dropped at the loaf in APRIL that year. Plenty of winter left.
Riverskier said:Definitely haven't given up on natural snow! Remember 06-07? Similar start to this season and February through April was some of the best skiing of my life. As for the snowmaking budget, Bob is right on, and they made a TON of snow in marginal temps and saw quite a bit of it melt. No negativity intended, just curious about any insights as far as the snow plan going forward.
MonkeyBrook said:Not sure on the tough year for snowmaking, just think of how warm it was in December where they didnt even try to blow snow...thus saving $$. Still very early in the season to give up on natural snow. Half January, all February and March...meat of the season...stay +.
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Permalink Reply by ga2ski on -
ok we are talking about:
Shockwave
lower upper cut
Jerry's Trail (Aka South Paw)
Agony
halfpipe
rocking chair
top gun
sluice
downdraft
3D
upper Airglow
vortex
Eureka
excalibur
Dd I miss any?
Vortex and Rocking Chair are under way. Guns are out on black h***. Assuming upper airglow with black h***. Excalibur is a must. 3D was slated to start so it is on the radar. Too me it make sense to run Downdraft with 3D, but not sure of piping layout.
The rest who knows. I would to miss out on Agony and Shockwave.
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Permalink Reply by MachSki on -
If you look at the trails opening recently, it seems the trails with the most efficient guns are at the top of the list (except Rocking Chair which has otten guns on it). LP got tower guns this year and is open (plus the very top of it was uncorked this year. That part of the snowmaking line hasn't been used in years). Vortex is started and 3D is up next, both have tower guns. Given that progression, I would speculate that Shockwave and Excalibur are on the list to be hit as they have tower guns too. Upper downdraft, Agony, Top Gun, Eureka, Upper Airglow, Lower Uppercut/Southpaw and Black H*** could be casualties this season I suppose. But if the long range tips toward snow for February, they may cover them up too for the natural to have a base.
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Permalink Reply by MonkeyBrook on
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Quantum Lead
ga2ski said:ok we are talking about:
Shockwave
lower upper cut
Jerry's Trail (Aka South Paw)
Agony
halfpipe
rocking chair
top gun
sluice
downdraft
3D
upper Airglow
vortex
Eureka
excalibur
Dd I miss any?
Vortex and Rocking Chair are under way. Guns are out on black h***. Assuming upper airglow with black h***. Excalibur is a must. 3D was slated to start so it is on the radar. Too me it make sense to run Downdraft with 3D, but not sure of piping layout.
The rest who knows. I would to miss out on Agony and Shockwave.
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Permalink Reply by Astro910 on -
Was thinking exactly the same thing. Every snowmaking trail was open and there was NO SNOW in the trees until Valentines Day. And then...it was on!
-Astro910
johnnysmoothcat said:i believe it was the valentine's day storm that really kicked off the season that year...and to close there was 7-9 feet of snow dropped at the loaf in APRIL that year. Plenty of winter left.
Riverskier said:Definitely haven't given up on natural snow! Remember 06-07? Similar start to this season and February through April was some of the best skiing of my life. As for the snowmaking budget, Bob is right on, and they made a TON of snow in marginal temps and saw quite a bit of it melt. No negativity intended, just curious about any insights as far as the snow plan going forward.
MonkeyBrook said:Not sure on the tough year for snowmaking, just think of how warm it was in December where they didnt even try to blow snow...thus saving $$. Still very early in the season to give up on natural snow. Half January, all February and March...meat of the season...stay +.
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Permalink Reply by Hawk on -
There is plenty of time and plenty of cold comming. They will get every snowmaking trail eventually. Can any of you remember a year that they didn't blow snow on every trail at least once? I can't.
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Permalink Reply by bob r/vortex on
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I don't think snowmaking will stop, I am curious of the plan. This year has been creative.
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Permalink Reply by MonkeyBrook on
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+1. Why the panic and - vibes...we are still skiing......got rained on at Shawnee last night but still had a blast...and picked up 3 vouchers for a return trip. A few sunny turns today, happy times.
Hawk said:There is plenty of time and plenty of cold comming. They will get every snowmaking trail eventually. Can any of you remember a year that they didn't blow snow on every trail at least once? I can't.
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