Snowmaking at Sugarbush – 2011/2012
Back in August of 2011 at the Sugarbush Golf Course, I was drafted from my regular cart duty to become part of the greens crew, due to lack of help. This “double duty” lasted through the end of the season in mid October. My winter plan was to move to snowmaking, but instead decided to stay on a 4th year with lift operations. Then in mid December, another opportunity arose. After I talked with those in charge, I got 2 day shifts a week on the snowmaking crew, starting the week after Christmas. Again, a shortage of hands was the reason. I have snowmaking experience, having made snow at two other ski areas in the past, but nothing on this scale.
So on December 29, I reported to work at7am, was issued my jacket and hardhat, and an hour or so later, began my first gun run on Valley House Traverse, Snowball, and Spring Fling. While my first day wasn’t much more than moving hoses and shoveling out Snow Logics, my second and third days (January 4 & 5) were much more productive, including moving guns, setting hoses, and firing up and adjusting guns. We made a lot of great snow on Hot Shot, Waterfall, and Lower Hot Shot on January 4, and lit up Birdland for the first time on January 5. Watching the trail go from thin cover/natural snow to piles of manmade snow in a matter of hours was really cool to see, and knowing I had a part of it.
The shift is pretty intense, running 12+ hours, starting at7am. Usually the end-time is around 7, but can be later, depending on the task at hand. Our mode of transportation up hill in the morning can be either via snowmobile, groomer, or chairlift. And it’s a lot of walking, not just downhill, but also back up. It’s one heck of a workout, and all the hiking I’ve done in the past year or so has trained me well.
Dec 29, first gun run. Snow logics in the sunlight on Spring Fling
Jan 4 morning gun run on Hot Shot, -10 at 7:30am
Jan 12, view from Jester
I’m going to continue snowmaking 2 days a week as long as I am needed, while still performing my regular lift operation duties the rest of the week. Now that I have a taste of snowmaking at a real mountain, I know what I’m up against and will most likely do it full time next season.
