So, you want to know how snow gets made here at Mountain Creek? Well, below is some info that will give you a general idea about just exactly how we are able to create snow, including ideal weather conditions.
The two vital factors influencing whether or not we can make snow are TEMPARATURE and HUMIDITY. When both are factored together, we get what is called the WET BULB TEMPERATURE. Basically, the lower the wet bulb, the better the conditions for snowmaking.
Each snowgun is connected to a WATER LINE and an AIR LINE. The compressed air forces the water out of tiny holes in the guns, which turn the water into a fine mist. When this mist hits the cold air outside, it instantly freezes, creating snow!
Ideally, we would want the temps to be in the teens or low 20's, with low humidity. In that situation, we could blanket the entire mountiain in a relatively short amount of time. However, as long as the humidity is low enough, we can continue to make snow when the temperature reaches as high as 34 or 35 degrees, though the cutoff is usually freezing (32 degrees). The problem with making snow in these higher temps, though, is that the snow becomes heavier and more water-saturated, and the guns aren't able to produce as much as when the wet bulb temp is lower.
So, the next time you're lying awake in bed, dreaming of a snow-filled day on the hill, wish for both below-freezing temps and low humidity.
There you have it, the basics of creating snow. If you wanna get some more info on our snowmaking system, check out the video gallery at mountaincreek.com, where there's an exclusive video with Patrick Fournier, our Mountain Operations Manager, where he explains how the water and air are pumped across the mountain to the snowguns.
