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How does closing a resort conserve snow

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weastcoat
Posts: 6419 - Karma: 74,058
You’ll see resorts close during warm periods, perhaps during the week, in efforts to “conserve snow”. How does keeping everyone off the snow conserve it? I never understood that.
Nov 20 2020 5:35PM
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3578 - Karma: 28,901
From my understanding when you have a bunch of skiers pushing snow around it makes some spots thinner than others, plus when you groom the slopes it takes off a layer and if your snow base is pretty thin you kinda have to choose your battles
Nov 20 2020 5:45PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5235 - Karma: 20,715
When you drive a snowcat over snow in above freezing temps the weight of the cat squeezes all the water up to the surface. In addition, the tiller processes the snow, increasing it's surface area and making it melt faster.
Nov 20 2020 5:49PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,751
Skiers moving snow around makes it melt faster.
Nov 20 2020 6:00PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5034 - Karma: 51,144
a_burgerWhen you drive a snowcat over snow in above freezing temps the weight of the cat squeezes all the water up to the surface. In addition, the tiller processes the snow, increasing it's surface area and making it melt faster.


this is some high level snow science right here
Nov 20 2020 6:18PM
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jps2.0
Posts: 475 - Karma: 2,391
did ski resorts after last seasons early shutdown have snow last longer
Nov 20 2020 9:09PM
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vibecheck
Posts: 3112 - Karma: 15,185
Blow up the sun
Nov 21 2020 12:56AM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12507 - Karma: 116,131
salt
Nov 21 2020 2:37AM
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sullivano*b
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 8,127
jps2.0did ski resorts after last seasons early shutdown have snow last longer


definitely there was snow on superstar at killington until after july 4th, only a small patch but still
Nov 21 2020 11:59AM
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eheath
Posts: 61604 - Karma: 123,122
Snow melts when you ski on it, weird eh?

Nov 21 2020 12:05PM
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abar.
Posts: 1062 - Karma: 6,889
jps2.0did ski resorts after last seasons early shutdown have snow last longer


My home resort reopened for a week in late May and there was more snow than there was in mid April the year before, it was insane. Also was a better snow year but there was definitely an effect from not being skied, especially on the steep zones where stuff gets sluffed down
Nov 21 2020 3:08PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
Salt actually melts snow.
TRVP_ANGELsalt




In general, only mid west/east coast resorts will close or not groom to “conserve” snow. Skier numbers and grooming don’t have a huge impact on snow melt. Temps do. And spreading snow to cover thin spots and dirt doesn’t do it any good when warm.
Nov 21 2020 5:55PM
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ScaryDumpTruck
Posts: 584 - Karma: 3,392
SkiBum.Salt actually melts snow.

Hood brings in palettes of snow to help preserve it
Nov 21 2020 6:20PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
So salt melts snow. What do you think putting salt on a road or side walk does?

Ski areas use salt to firm up their race lane or park lips in spring or summer not to preserve snow. It’s melting the surface which then freezes due to temp of snow around it. Creating a firm layer. But it’s melting the snow over time.
ScaryDumpTruckHood brings in palettes of snow to help preserve it


**This post was edited on Nov 21st 2020 at 6:46:30pm
Nov 21 2020 6:45PM
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ScaryDumpTruck
Posts: 584 - Karma: 3,392
SkiBum.So salt melts snow. What do you think putting salt on a road or side walk does?

Ski areas use salt to firm up their race lane or park lips in spring or summer not to preserve snow. It’s melting the surface which then freezes due to temp of snow around it. Creating a firm layer. But it’s melting the snow over time.


**This post was edited on Nov 21st 2020 at 6:46:30pm


It creates a firm layer so it preserves snow, thanks for proving my point
Nov 21 2020 7:10PM
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6395 - Karma: 69,441
pinkcamo1000this is some high level snow science right here


Pretty basic physics i think. When something is in solid form (thousands of tiny ice crystals) it will melt to liquid under incresed heat or increased pressure. The weight of the cat is enough to melt some of the snow and, like a giant french press, it pushes the solid stuff down and the liquid comes to the top. Leaving behind a compact, firm layer of packed snow that is then groomed up to produce the groomers we all love, whether you admit it or not
Nov 21 2020 7:13PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4805 - Karma: -651
Meh they can't exactly not groom in the fall like they could in the spring.
Nov 21 2020 7:37PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5034 - Karma: 51,144
ConesForBreakfastPretty basic physics i think. When something is in solid form (thousands of tiny ice crystals) it will melt to liquid under incresed heat or increased pressure. The weight of the cat is enough to melt some of the snow and, like a giant french press, it pushes the solid stuff down and the liquid comes to the top. Leaving behind a compact, firm layer of packed snow that is then groomed up to produce the groomers we all love, whether you admit it or not


ok nerd
Nov 22 2020 6:56AM
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6395 - Karma: 69,441
pinkcamo1000ok nerd

Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk
Nov 22 2020 10:00AM
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