How long do the snow cannons need to be running in order to cover the piste enough for it to be skiable? Is overnight long enough or do they need 3 or 4 really cold days/nights to achieve this?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Snow making can actually happen above zero if the humidity is really really low, its just not economical because of the power requirements. As the humidity increases however the colder the temperature required. So normally it needs to be around or below zero, for conditions to work. It's just then a case of economics I suppose - does a resort spend more on creating snow if the temperature is forecast to go about zero tomorrow? Or do they wait for a forecast spell of a few weeks to give them chance to cool the ground, etc? Power requirements for snowmaking are pretty huge because you're forcing a state change in the water used from liquid to solid.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Two or three days I'd say, based on what I saw in Val Thorens last week.
The water costs when running canons are also huge and as mentioned, when to run can be a tricky call.
'How long' is a 'piece of string' question, but a lot longer than 24hrs.
When starting from scratch, the cannons are usually run for 12hrs+, huge piles of cannoned snow are created, the piste bashers then shove it about to the required areas, compact and repeat.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 16-12-14 11:03; edited 2 times in total
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
macgyver wrote:
Power requirements for snowmaking are pretty huge because you're forcing a state change in the water used from liquid to solid.
Input of latent energy is needed for melting, not freezing. That's why snow stays around in spring.
When you talk about temperatures does that mean actual temperature, or the temperature including the wind chill factor?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
gary wrote:
When you talk about temperatures does that mean actual temperature, or the temperature including the wind chill factor?
Ground and air not factoring in wind chill, because of the high cost of making, it's a poor call to pour 1000s of Euro into producing snow only for it to turn back into water on the ground.
After all it is free
After all it is free
As a live example watch this webcam. It's warm and raining at the moment and the resort opens for skiing this Saturday (20th)
http://laplagne.livecam360.net/montalbert
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Boredsurfing wrote:
As a live example watch this webcam. It's warm and raining at the moment and the resort opens for skiing this Saturday (20th)
http://laplagne.livecam360.net/montalbert
Doesn't mean to say that they'll have much open though - PDS is 'open' but have buggar all to ski.
Re the original questions, I doing know but I read on a different thread that if temp was right they could cover it in 72 hours, but it also depends on water levels and what pistes they see as priority.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Quote:
The water costs when running canons are also huge
Do priests drink a lot then?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Lizzard wrote:
Quote:
The water costs when running canons are also huge
Do priests drink a lot then?
My spellcheck is set to 'Pious'.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
rob@rar wrote:
Two or three days I'd say, based on what I saw in Val Thorens last week.
2500 uni students in VT this week. Our Son is one of them, even he is saying that it's 'manic'. Queuing at bars.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Most resorts won't run snow cannons if the temperature is above -4c. To answer your original question it's a bit of a how long is a piece of string. Key is what's underneath. Some resorts where it's meadow underneath can be up and running with little snow. If you have a rocky surface to cover then you need a hell of a lot more.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Quote:
When you talk about temperatures does that mean actual temperature, or the temperature including the wind chill factor?
When it comes to freezing water wind chill is irrelevant.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
In Lesotho we have a resort that relies almost entirely snow cannons, for us to ski. Luckily the humidity is usually very low which means they can make quite dry powdery snow. This youtube is pretty interesting explaining the process.
I guess a pertinent / related question: How long will the reserves of water in most resorts last?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
The snow making team have done an article for a magazine in Tignes this year. It is temperature and humidity dependant, but the temperature must be below minus 3. Also they need light winds so it doesn't blow away. The wind chill makes no difference to snowmaking as its only warm blooded creatures that feel wind chill. Wind chill figures are published (although I note the BBC now calls it a more user friendly 'feels like') to give you an idea of the equivalent temperature on a windy day and therefore how much more of a survival situation you are in. A dry bulb thermometer will read the same temperature whether there is no wind or a howling gale.
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Poster: A snowHead
Our Son is one of them, even he is saying that it's 'manic'. Queuing at bars.
