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How Does Crystal Mountain Adapt To A Changing Climate. Or Why Christmas Should Be on January 25. Snowmaking Particulars. High pressure water-- 400 psi+ at the base of the hill, not less than 100 psi at the gun Mix compressed air and finely atomized water at the gun to form ice nuclei
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How Does Crystal Mountain Adapt To A Changing Climate Or Why Christmas Should Be on January 25
Snowmaking Particulars • High pressure water-- 400 psi+ at the base of the hill, not less than 100 psi at the gun • Mix compressed air and finely atomized water at the gun to form ice nuclei • Combine w/ larger amounts of water • Use 30,000 cfm fans to blow up into the air • If temperature is 28 degrees F or less and humdity is less than 85% then snow is made • As temperature and humidity go down there is an exponential increase in the amount of snow that can be made
Snowmaking Particulars • Crystal has 87 snowguns capable of converting 4,000gpm of water to snow when temperatures fall to 20 degrees and below • The snowmaking system can make one acre foot of snow in 2 hours at 27 degrees or in 34 minutes at 20 degrees • Theoretically the snowmaking system can cover the whole ski area with one foot of snow in 4 days if the weather cooperates • Manmade snow is dense and heavy. About 30lbs/cubic ft. vs 2-3lbs for natural snow • Manmade snow compacts to 70% by volume vs natural snow which compacts to 10%
Assume a 4 degree F Increase in Minimum Temperature in Dec. • Avg. low would rise from 23 F to 27 F • Avg. number of nights w/ 28 degrees or less would decrease from 21 to 7. • Avg. number of snowmaking hours / night would fall dramatically. • Avg. number of gallons of water/ hour converted to snow would fall dramatically
