Snow-making secrets from a Calgary pro

It's a combination of art and science, says veteran Joe Cummings

Media | Art of snowmaking

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Ever wonder how venues like WinSport's Canada Olympic Park keeps ski runs open and in tip-top shape, even during iffy weather conditions that make it an uphill challenge?
Wonder. No. More.
"Snow-making is a great combination of art and science," Joe Cummings told CBC News.
Cummings is the snow-making and venues supervisor at WinSport. He's now in his 12th season making snow and he's seen its evolution.

Image | Joe Cummings

Caption: Joe Cummings has been making snow at WinSport's Canada Olympic Park for 12 years. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

"Snow-making at one time was very labour intensive. With new technology, these guns are smart enough that they will shut themselves off when it gets too warm."
"We can turn the system on at warmer temperatures than we ever could. We need about –2 C with 50 per cent humidity. The dryer it is, the more efficient it becomes, and the colder it is, the more snow we can produce in less time."
So how does it work?

Image | Snowmaking

Caption: Snow-making technology has improved a lot over the years. The guns detect when the temperature isn't right. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

"We take high-pressured water and air and shoot it out into the sky. The atomized water particles will freeze and fall as snow. We break it up as much as we can and add an inhibitor to help it freeze," Cummings said.
"The challenge is making sure we have enough to cover all the different venues here at WinSport: the ski hill, the tube park and the all-terrain park."
They usually start making snow at the northwest Calgary venue in early November. This year, it took seven days of non-stop snow-making to get the main slope open. The ski season typically lasts until early April.

Image | Snowmaking

Caption: 'Snowmaking is a great combination of art and science,' says Joe Cummings of WinSport. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

The snow they make is actually more like ice crystals.
"It is still technically snow, but it has more longevity. That allows the ski hill to stay open a little bit longer. At WinSport, we rely 98 per cent on the man-made crystals because in Calgary, it snows, it melts, it snows, it melts," Cummings said.
"Without snow-making, we wouldn't be able to stay open throughout the winter season."
The guns don't actually put the snow where it's needed.

Image | Snowmaking

Caption: Joe Cummings says WinSport relies on snow-making about 98 per cent of the time. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

"The snow lands in a pile and the snowcat comes along to create the surface. That allows the snow to dry and cure and provide for a nice experience," Cummings said.
"On the main runs, we like to have nice, powdery snow like any mountain resort would. We like to produce a quality of snow that is dry and provides for good turns."
One grooming in the morning is usually all it takes, he said.
"The snow on the surface is nice, light and fluffy. The grooming can last all day. You'll be able to carve your edge into the snow from morning until night."