As many of you are still digging out from the Snowtober
storm, up here at Okemo we are looking at the long range forecast and wondering
when we can begin making snow. Let’s
hope that the electricity gets back on in Southern New England. It is amazing the photos of the destruction
of trees and power poles. I would think
that in 2011 we would have systems in place to get the electricity back on
quicker. Here’s to some good luck for
all our Okemo fans without power.
This time of the year is an interesting one in Vermont. We
call it stick season here at Okemo. Kind of that time between when the leaves
are gone and we are anticipating snow.
It is so true about the change of the season. You can feel it in the air
as the days get shorter and the air feels different. A lot of time is spent preparing the slopes
for some snow. The Snow guns are put out, some of the guys are working on rails
for the terrain park, and the groomers are being prepared to do their
work. Here’s something you probably
didn’t know, we always use the groomers with the most hours first as they will
be coming off lease at the end of this season. We also try to get them to the
slopes before we begin making snow so we can move on softer terrain before the
ground freezes as the frozen ground is a lot harder on the machines.
Each morning, I and the Barry, The VP of Mountain Operations
talk on the phone about what we see for weather. We use Northwinds Weather as our weather
service. Tony is our guy and while we chide him for some of his forecasts, he
does a very good job and is pretty accurate.
Barry and I discuss what the long range looks like and what might
happen. Our philosophy is to be smart
with snowmaking. The temperature needs
to be below 26 degrees wet bulb, you remember science class that is the
temperature and humidity combined, and it is important to have that temperature
stay that way for an extended period of time.
I frequent the “Café at Delight” for early coffee and I get asked a lot
“how come you didn’t make snow last night, I had 23 degrees when I work
up”. That is probably true, but that
temperature may have only been for an hour or so. Remember this; it is “always coldest before
the dawn”. That is also when it is the
darkest. So don’t always believe that it
was the same temperature when you got up as it was earlier in the night.
The weather always gets cold and this year will be no
different. Once the snowmaking season begins, things happen quickly. Lots of water is moved in a short period of
time and lifts and trails open sometimes daily.
The snowmakers are a dedicated group of guys. The early season they spend a lot of time
walking the trails. Many times vehicles cannot be used. Okemo has a shuttle system we use were an
employee, usually a groomer who we are looking to keep busy, works the night
shift and drives a truck up Mountain Road with snowmakers and then makes his
way to the bottom of whatever trail they are working on to pick them up. It is always heartening to be able to see the
pickup lights at the base of the trail as the snowmakers know they are near the
bottom and done their run. Early season is
tough on everyone, but as trails open up, snowmobiles can begin to be run and
it becomes easier.
Well that gives you a little insight into what is going
through our minds as we prepare for the season.
The first cold snap is always an exciting time for everyone no matter
how long you have worked in the ski business.
So thanks again for being an Okemo supporter. We all appreciate our skiing and riding
guests and hope to have some early season slopes and trails opened by November
19th.
Think snow and some cold weather…….
Bruce Schmidt
