32
. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | WWW.MiGCSA.ORG
Off Course
Snowmaking in the Mid-West BY MIKE ROSEN
T
he ski industry is a big part of Michigan’s recreational offering and economy, especially at northern Michigan resorts. As we cannot rely solely on natural snowfall for adequate coverage of the ski slopes, we are required to produce artificial snow. Like anything else, there are many factors that play into producing a quality product. Snowmaking combines science and art to deliver essential “man-made” snow. The snowgun is what most people are familiar with, as they are the most visible component on the slopes and come in various configurations. From tower mounts, portable units, stick, etc., the basic concept is to combine air and water to begin the snowmaking process. Many facilities’ water pressures start at 250 psi, and use 480v electrical to power the fans and compressors. Sometimes cooling towers are used for the water before it hits the pump station, depending on how it’s temperature is affected by friction in the water lines. As water and air are delivered, the snowgun breaks the water into small particles, cools to 32°F, removes the heat of fusion, and nucleates. Nuclei are the natural particles in the water, tiny ice crystals formed by the expanding compressed air and sometimes additives that facilities inject into the irrigation system. Each snowgun has a nucleator that is adjustable by human hands or automation, according to the environmental condition at that particular machine. Nucleation is essential to make snow efficiently at reasonable temperatures. Reasonable temperatures are determined by the wet bulb. Wet bulb condition factors on both ambient temperature and relative humidity to help define the coldest condition a water droplet can obtain. So, although 32°F is the actual freezing point of water, the humidity may not allow snowmaking to commence. This is commonly the most misunderstood factor by those itching to hit the slopes. “Why aren’t you making snow?”