snowmaking

Although Mad River Glen is known primarily as a natural snow mountain, snowmaking has played an important role in supplementing our natural snow since the 1970s. Coverage on the Practice Slope area is essential for the race and youth programs, and to provide a backup for the main mountain. Snowmaking on the high-traffic arteries of the lower main mountain provides more reliable access to our natural snow terrain. Improvements to our snowmaking system have enabled us to blow snow much more quickly, open the mountain earlier, make the most of our limited water supply, and improve the efficiency of our operations. The snowmaking upgrades are now mostly complete, with a few minor upgrades planned for the summer of 2020.

Snow Guns

Since 2016, we’ve used campaign gifts to purchase five new energy-efficient fan guns, increasing the number of snow guns to seven, up from only three guns a few years ago. The additional guns reduce the time needed to move guns between locations and allow us to maximize output when the temperatures are right to make snow. The guns help make our small snowmaking system more effective and efficient, creating consistent skiing surfaces and helping us to better withstand the fluctuations in winter weather.

Electrical System

In 2016, the campaign demonstrated the ability to complete a project under budget and in an aggressive timeframe with the completion of Phase One of our snowmaking system replacement. After safety concerns with the existing snowmaking electrical system came to light, the system was replaced one year ahead of schedule, helping Mad River Glen open on December 10, the earliest opening day in many years.

In the summer of 2018, eight new additional electrical outlets and 850’ of new electrical wire were installed, further improving operational efficiency. In the summer of 2019, 12 new additional electrical outlets and 2,500 feet of electrical wire were installed.

Pump, Piping, and Hoses

In 2018, a new high-pressure pump was installed and a new pump house was built. The new pump has sped up our snowmaking operations and boosted output at higher elevations. Mad River can now operate all seven fan guns at once. The pump will also enable eventual restoration of snowmaking to the 2300' elevation, which has been out of service for many years due to inadequate pressure.

New piping and hydrants were installed in the Base Area and Birdcage area, improving operational efficiency. New larger diameter hoses, purchased in 2017, allow our fan guns to operate more effectively.

In 2019, 3,000 feet of new pipe was installed. Coverage was restored to the 2,300 foot elevation level, near Kay’s Grove, above the Birdcage. Coverage was also expanded further up the Bunny to just below the intersection with Beaver. Additional hydrants were added to Rockefellers and the Practice Slope area to enhance operational efficiency.