Snowmaking Rush Starts In Colorado

Lower than usual temperatures and early snowfalls this year enables one of the world’s highest ski resorts Loveland Ski Area, located in Colorado, USA, to already start snowmaking process for the coming 2009-2010 ski season which usually opens there in the first half of October. Ski guns have been launched on the Catwalk, Mambo, and Homerun slopes.

Eric Johnstone, Snowmaking and Trail Maintenance Manager of Loveland Ski Area, commented: “Our Trail Maintenance department has been busy preparing the hill, and have started beautifully with all the necessary conditions to start blowing snow. The weather forecast for the next few days looks very favorable for snowmaking.” Bob Magrino, Director of Mountain Operations, added that the crew looks forward to the opening and everyone will do the best.

The rival Colorado ski resort Arapahoe Basin has already proceeded to snowmaking too. Its official website informs that although the opening day is still no set and will depend on weather conditions sixteen snowguns were launched at full blast on the resort’s slopes last week. It should be said, that the annual snowmaking race between Loveland and Arapahoe ski areas become some kind of local tradition.

Other ski areas located in Colorado usually open significantly later than Loveland Ski Area – nearer to the middle or even end of November. But this year, for instance, Steamboat Ski Area reported fresh snow that fell just below the top of Christie Peak, which is about 8,000 feet high.

Photo: Loveland Ridge, by DebateLord (wikimedia.org)