Sustainable Snowmaking: Ski Resorts' Strategy Against Climate Change
February 17, 2024The Future of Skiing: How Innovation in Snowmaking Combats Global Warming
In a world where climate change threatens the very existence of ski resorts, the industry is fighting back with innovative snowmaking technologies that not only mitigate their environmental impact but also safeguard their economic future. Bromley Mountain Ski Resort exemplifies this trend with its efficient snowmaking operations, utilizing advancements in technology to preserve the winter wonderlands that fuel their business and the local economy. These efforts, supported by organizations like Efficiency Vermont, underscore the ski industry's commitment to sustainability and resilience in the face of global warming, offering a glimmer of hope for both snow sports enthusiasts and environmentalists alike.
Read the full story here: Greener snowmaking is helping ski resorts weather climate change
Highlights
- Making snow requires significant energy, contributing to climate change.
- A warmer planet makes artificial snow essential for ski resort viability.
- Efficiency improvements in snowmaking operations can significantly reduce energy use and costs.
- Technological advancements, such as more efficient snow guns and automation, offer potential for further reductions in energy and costs.
- Energy-efficiency initiatives, like those by Efficiency Vermont, have led to substantial decreases in electricity use and carbon emissions in the ski industry.
- Consumer interest in environmental stewardship is driving resorts towards more sustainable practices.
In the face of existential threats from global warming, ski resorts are making strides in reducing the energy required for snowmaking, which traditionally consumes large amounts of electricity and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. As a concrete example, Bromley Mountain Ski Resort in Vermont, under the guidance of head snowmaker Matt Folts, is leveraging cold temperatures to optimize snow production, utilizing more efficient technology to lower the carbon footprint and costs associated with artificial snow.
Significant efficiency improvements have been achieved through technological advancements and strategic interventions by programs like Efficiency Vermont. This includes replacing outdated snowmaking equipment with newer, more energy-efficient models, which has led to an 80% reduction in air usage for snowmaking operations statewide. These changes have not only made snow production more sustainable but have also resulted in considerable cost savings for the resorts, enabling them to produce more snow at a fraction of the price.
Looking towards the future, the snowmaking industry faces the challenge of further reducing resource use while also adapting to the unpredictable conditions brought on by climate change. Initiatives such as the Snowmaking Efficiency Index (SEI) aim to provide transparency and encourage resorts to improve their energy efficiency. Meanwhile, automation presents a promising avenue for reducing manual labor and enhancing the responsiveness of snowmaking operations to optimal weather conditions, although its implementation requires significant investment.
Read the full article here.
Essential Insights
- Bromley Mountain Ski Resort: A small ski area on the southern end of Vermont’s Green Mountains, actively improving the efficiency of their snowmaking operations.
- Matt Folts: The head snowmaker at Bromley Mountain Ski Resort, actively engaged in optimizing snow production.
- Efficiency Vermont: A state-backed program encouraging resorts to adopt more efficient snowmaking devices, significantly contributing to reduced energy consumption.
- Bill Cairns: President and general manager of Bromley Mountain Ski Resort, overseeing significant reductions in snowmaking costs through efficiency improvements.
- HDK Snowmakers: One of the largest snowmaking equipment manufacturers, potentially reaching limits on minimizing water and air usage in snow guns.