Snowmaking began again on December 17 when temperatures dropped consistently low enough \u2013 HVHSA’s snow guns can operate at temperatures as warm as -2.5\u2070C. Even though their snowmakers have been able to cover at least one slope with a significant amount of snow and Mother Nature has added a small amount more, above zero temperatures and rain dominate the forecast from December 21 through Christmas Day meaning they need to protect what they have until temperatures drop again.<\/p>\n
“The delay is based on the available snow that we could make and the potential natural snowfall, and trying to utilize that snow during the busy Christmas season rather than losing it in the rain this week,” said HVHSA’s Interim General Manager, Bruce Howell. “We do have enough snow to get through Christmas break (with limited terrain) but it\u2019s a finite amount of snow and we want to preserve it to create a good winter experience for locals, tourists and our members next week.”<\/p>\n
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The lifts will stand still at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area until December 26.<\/p><\/div>\n
The outdoor operations team at HVHSA will be turning on the snow guns at every opportunity, added Howell. “The current long-range forecast has some cold night-time weather so we will be making snow at every opportunity.”<\/p>\n
With uncooperative winter weather, the the ski area is the only place in Muskoka that, given the opportunity, can subvert Mother Nature and cover its slopes with white while the rest of the region remains brown or lightly covered. While the last two seasons saw above average snowfall that began early, this year’s late start highlights the unreliability of natural snowfall. Snowmaking means skiing and snowboarding can begin earlier, last longer, and remain more consistent than natural conditions would allow.<\/p>\n
Clear cold nights provide the best conditions for snowmaking \u2013 colder temperatures are more efficient, requiring less power and less water. Here’s a brief primer on how snowmaking works at Hidden Valley Highlands:<\/p>\n
HVHSA’s two types of snow guns, permanent tower-mounted stick guns and movable propeller-driven fan guns, use a combination of pressure and cooling to produce droplets of cold water or ice. Hang time \u2013 the time it takes for these droplets to reach the ground after being released from the guns \u2013 further cools the droplets. The piles produced are usually left to sit for a least a few hours before grooming to give the droplets even more time to thoroughly freeze. A smartphone-accessible control system in the pump house monitors air pressure and water flow.<\/p>\n\n\t\t