SNOWMAKING
adheres to the ground as it freezes. This allows equipment
like snowcats to hit the snow and begin grooming trails
quicker, without having to worry about damaging the
turf underneath.
“The fact that the flakes are so cold, uncompacted and use
100 percent of the water that goes into the system makes
SnöFlake an attractive snowmaking solution,” said Sawin.
“With traditional snowmaking, you’re always looking for that
favorable weather and temperature to make snow. But with
SnöFlake’s patent-pending distribution system, you can put
snow down exactly where and when you need it. There is no
evaporative loss whatsoever, and no drifting of the snow you
make off into the trees where you aren’t able to use it.”
A SnöFlake system means versatility for operations. Since
the 60-ton unit is really two separate 30-ton units, side-by-side,
working in concert, there is the option to run just one
of the single units. This feature comes in handy if a tubing
hill needs touch-ups, or an operation’s electrical supplier
charges more during higher demand periods, for example.
Additionally, if one of the single units needs to go down for
maintenance, snowmakers can be assured that they can
continue to make snow with the other unit.
However, in spite of its many benefits, SnöFlake should
be seen as the perfect cost-effective option for those high-density
areas where traditional snowmaking is difficult, such
as tubing hills, learn-to-ski/board areas and terrain parks;
not as a complete snowmaking solution. For larger areas that
require coverage, traditional snowmaking remains the more
economical option and will continue to play an important
role in snowmaking at ski resorts and ski areas.
That being said, the investment of millions of dollars into
traditional snowmaking, grooming equipment, lifts and
lodges means very little if there is no snow due to elevation,
season or climate change. This is why having a SnöFlake
system on hand is like taking out an insurance policy on
remaining operational.
“If your business is based in snow, the SnöFlake is your
guarantee that you’ll always have enough quality snow
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available for people to enjoy,” said Sawin. “You want to be
able to open your doors every single day for as many months
as you can, and that’s the peace of mind that the SnöFlake
system will bring.”
SnöFlake is immensely proud of its commitment to
customer service. Company president, Raphael Pelchat,
makes sure to be in attendance at each SnöFlake unit’s
commissioning and remains in touch with the customer long
past the point of purchase to ensure there are no issues with
the unit. As far as service and support goes, it doesn’t get
much better than the SnöFlake system.
“I’m regularly talking with the employees in charge of
maintaining the unit and am always happy to answer any
questions they might have,” said Pelchat. “If needed, I can
also completely control their SnöFlake unit remotely from my
office in Lévis, Quebec, and help the customer troubleshoot
problems with the system.”
The response to SnöFlake from those who have
experienced it has been extremely positive. The Scaly
Mountain Outdoor Center in Scaly Mountain, N.C., credits
SnöFlake for being able to open as early in the season as it
does. At Oregon’s Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, the use of the SnöFlake
system helped to ensure they could install valuable key
attractions along the lower half of the mountain over the
holidays last year.
“Mt. Hood Ski Bowl told us that a single SnöFlake unit
was able to save their Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons,”
said Sawin. “They were looking at having no snow at all
and instead had a great tubing hill and teaching area, and
everyone had a great time. And that’s why we are in business.
We enjoy snow and we want to bring that enjoyment to
areas that may not be able to experience it otherwise.”
Learn more about the SnöFlake system at
www.CHSsnowmakers.com or by visiting www.snoflake.ca.
18 January 2021 | snowopsmag.com
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/www.CHSsnowmakers.com
/www.snoflake.ca
/snowopsmag.com
