Winter enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the arrival of the snowy season, dreaming of freshly powdered slopes and exhilarating descents. However, behind the scenes, there’s a dedicated team working tirelessly to ensure those dreams become a reality. Meet the unsung heroes of Buck Hill – the Outdoor Ops Crew – the Snowfarmers who make it their mission to turn the slopes into a winter wonderland, no matter what challenges Mother Nature throws their way.
Warming Worries: Battling El Niño’s Wrath
In recent months, our Outdoor Ops crew, along with Snowfarmers across the region, have encountered a formidable challenge posed by the warming weather, primarily attributed to the effects of El Niño. As temperatures escalate, the crew must adapt their snowmaking strategies, showcasing a profound understanding of the delicate interplay with nature. They’ve proactively adjusted schedules and incorporated new technologies to counter the unpredictable shifts in weather patterns, in order to yield ideal snow for guests. However, not all snow is equal, varying from wet and heavy to light and fluffy. Despite the hurdles presented by warmer temperatures, our dedicated Snowfarmers confront them head-on, strategically prioritizing snow quality over volume. This commitment ensures that our guests enjoy optimal riding conditions, demonstrating the resilience and passion our Snowfarmers bring to their craft, even in the face of challenging weather conditions.
Photo: Weather.gov (NWS)
On-Call Thanksgiving: Sacrifices for the Love of Snow
The commitment of our Outdoor Ops crew knows no bounds. They put Thanksgiving dinners on hold, remaining on call and prepared to respond to the capricious nature of winter weather. Whether sacrificing or adjusting their personal celebrations, these Snowfarmers ensure that the slopes are ready for eager skiers and snowboarders, embodying the true spirit of passion and dedication. This year (2023), the perfect and consistent temperatures manifested on Thanksgiving evening, November 23rd. With around-the-clock support and relentless effort, our Outdoor Ops crew can transform these green rolling hills into a winter wonderland in just a week! Nearly 100% of the terrain is open, offering skiers and snowboarders a complete and thrilling experience.
Pumping Up the Effort: The New Pump House
Recognizing the urgent need to boost our snowmaking capabilities, we have recently invested significantly in a cutting-edge pump house. In past years, the constraints of our outdated pump house, coupled with older snow gun models, hindered our efficiency in distributing water to all available guns. The imbalance between the number of guns and available water prolonged the snowmaking process across the entire hill. With our recent infrastructure upgrade, our team can now channel a much larger volume of water to our extensive array of snow guns, effectively doubling our water pumping capacity from 2,500 to an impressive 5,000 gallons per minute.
In simpler terms, when the guns are activated and geared up to work their winter magic, and under optimal weather conditions, we now have the ability to produce snow more rapidly, covering nearly the entire resort. This means that when we’re open, we’re truly open! Our commitment to continuous innovation ensures that visitors can enjoy superior snow conditions, even in the face of challenges posed by a warming climate.
TechnoAlpin Triumph: Unleashing the Power of New Snow Guns
A game-changer for our Outdoor Ops crew arrived in the form of brand new TechnoAlpin snow guns. Over the past two years, we have incorporated 11 of these cutting-edge machines into our arsenal. These state-of-the-art devices not only boost efficiency but also enable the creation of higher quality snow. Paired with the increased water pumping capacity of the new pump house, and under ideal weather conditions, the crew can now produce an impressive 6-10 inches of snow within a 24-hour period! With these advanced tools at their disposal, the crew gains better control over snow production, guaranteeing a superior experience for winter sports enthusiasts.
Nature’s Dance: Finding Balance in Snowmaking
Mother Nature is a fickle partner in the snowmaking business. Our Outdoor Ops crew is engaged in a constant dance with her, striving to find the delicate balance between temperature and snow quality. With thermometers in one hand and snow guns in the other, they meticulously calculate the ideal conditions for optimal snow production.
In the face of warming trends and ever-changing weather patterns, our Outdoor Ops crew stands resilient. Their unwavering dedication, combined with technological advancements, allows them to overcome the challenges posed by El Niño and create a winter paradise for thrill-seekers. So, the next time you carve down a freshly powdered slope, take a moment to appreciate the hard work, sacrifices, and ingenuity of the unsung Snowfarmers who make it all possible. Thank a Snowfarmer.