Snow factories firing up to guarantee good times

Winter is coming - and the snow factories are ready...

The clock is ticking down to the opening of the snow season and the snowmaking crew are testing and preparing the snowmaking systems, including Mt Buller’s fleet of 5 Snow Factories.

In just over two months skiers and snowboarders will make their first turns on Bourke Street for the King’s Birthday long weekend celebrations and the snowmaking team are already working to make that happen.

Head snowmaker Paul Richmond and his crew have begun commissioning the state-of-the-art Snow Factories and sharp-eyed snow fans have spotted the test piles of snow popping up on Bourke Street at the Celia’s Toboggan park in recent days.

Will snowmaking start soon?

“We’re getting the mobile factories into position and putting them through a series of tests so we’ll soon be ready to build stockpiles of snow for our guests,” said Paul. The snowmaking plan is expected to kick in after Easter as the temperatures drop, striking a balance with enough time to build stockpiles using the factories and being efficient with the use of resources by making snow during a cooler weather window and to coincide with early natural snowfalls.

“Two of Mt Buller’s mobile Snow Factories have been replaced with upgraded models this season and we’ve been working with the team at TechnoAlpin to make improvements and efficiencies so we can make more snow, as efficiently as possible.”

Testing, testing. The new factories have successfully been tested. The test piles are wrapped to protect and save the snow.

“The all-weather Snow Factories are an important piece of the snowmaking puzzle and give Mt Buller a head-start on the season while we wait for Mother Nature to deliver and for the sub-zero temperatures needed to run our extensive network of over 290 snowmaking guns across the ski area.” Paul explains.

When did Mt Buller start using these factories?

Mt Buller led the way in 2017 as the first ski resort in Australia to invest in a Snow Factory at the top of the Bourke Street run. Snow Factories make snow using refrigeration technology and each one can produce 100-200 cubic metres of snow daily in any weather. Mt Buller resort has progressively invested in two large SF220 snow factories and three mobile units over the past 7 years. These units can be deployed to boost the snow cover where it’s needed including Chamois run, the toboggan parks and Northside beginner area at the top of Burnt Hut.

Is it real snow?

The Snow Factories make a resilient product that looks and feels quite different to delicate snowflakes and is ideal for building a durable base. The super-chilled icy particles from the Snow Factories bond strongly to one another and can be stockpiled and groomed out across the runs when needed.

“I get asked all the time about how we make snow – there’s no secret recipe. It’s frozen water. But our Snow Factories make it possible to produce these unique icy particles, build up huge piles and groom them out across the runs when we’re ready to welcome guests for a ski.”

Buller Ski Lifts General Manager Noel Landry adds,

“It’s great to see the Snow Factories in position along the Bourke Street run ready to go. As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop it’s a sign for skiers and snowboarders to book their winter plans. I look forward to seeing the snow piles building as we get closer to the opening weekend and joining our guests and the local community for those first special turns in June.”

• See the newest snow factory being installed and tested >
  
  

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