TECHNOLOGY
from these GPS-based systems is accurate
to several centimeters.
The snow-depth measurement
technology from SnowGage uses
ultra-wideband radar, which pulsates
through the snow to the ground to
measure snow depth. The snow-depth
measurements coincide with submeter
GPS location data. Data from
this system is accurate to around five
inches and costs around $20,000.
Some snow-depth measurement systems
utilize ground-penetrating radar,
a technology paired with GPS location
data. This technology can vary in accuracy
and cost, though it is pricier than
ultra-wideband radar. It is accurate to
around two inches.
Each system has unique shortfalls.
The GPS-based technology can struggle
in deep canyons and heavy canopy,
and it is reliant on a static lidar scan
– despite the changing mountain.
However, it can measure any depth of
snow. Ultra-wideband radar technology
is currently limited to measuring
Three or four data points to
represent hundreds, sometimes
thousands, of acres of snow will
not always cut it.
no more than six feet of snow and can
flounder in wet spring snow. The other
radar technology, ground penetrating
radar, requires constant recalibration.
Resorts should take each of these
limitations into account when considering
a snow-depth measurement
system. Resort operators might ask,
“What level of snow-depth accuracy do
we really need?” and “What price do we
need to pay to accomplish our goals?”
Their conclusion might surprise them.
Beaver Mountain Ski Area, a familyowned
operation in northern Utah that
does not own a snow-depth system,
sometimes probes trails with low snow
coverage by hand. The ski area’s Mountain
Operations Control Manager Travis
Seeholzer said he sees the benefit of
snow-depth management systems.
Snow-depth mapping is “really valuable
to get a snapshot of your snowpack,”
Seeholzer said. “We have groomer
meetings talking about depths on a
trail and moving it around. You can see
the benefit of streamlining that process
– the alternative is going around with
a probe without a map component.”
He added, “Skiers and snowboarders
don’t appreciate the amount of snow
we push around and move.”
One thing resort operators should
consider when purchasing a snowdepth
management system, Seeholzer
says, is the simplicity of the platform.
Whichever system a resort chooses,
one thing is certain: The trend is undeniably
toward more data – especially
snow-depth data – in the ski industry.
Snow management “is becoming
more challenging as our winters are
changing and that makes data more
valuable,” Seeholzer said. “It’s information,
which is key.”
Paul Kelley is the product manager
for SnowGage, a snow-depth measurement
system by Juniper Systems. Juniper
Systems is a leading rugged datacollection
device manufacturer based
in Logan, Utah.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIRK EARL
28 Jan/Feb 2019 | snowopsmag.com
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