Vermont — It was another dry summer in New England, which has led to drought conditions so far this fall. Although a few days of rain did offer a reprieve last week, another dry stretch so far this week is making people realize that it could lead to trouble for snowmakers.
NBC5 caught up with two Vermont ski resorts to see how they’re feeling regarding the drought.
Sugarbush is the most notable of the two interviewed, as their opening was delayed last year due to a lack of water available for snowmaking. Sugarbush’s ponds are currently lower than normal, but snowmakers still have enough water to open a few trails when the temperatures drop. Sugarbush can take water from the Mad River starting on November 1st. However, if the water flow remains at the same level next month, there won’t be enough water to add to the pond.
Meanwhile, Jay Peak Resort isn’t panicking, but is pivoting its capital project priorities to address snowmaking. Luckily, the Jay Cloud could help the ski resort out with snow depth.
“We’re not alarmed. We’re not hitting the panic button. It’s something we’re monitoring,” said Andy Stenger, Jay Peak’s director of mountain operations. “Our future capital planning for snowmaking is paying attention to the drought. What can we do to have a better system to manage drought conditions?
This winter, we’ve invested about half a million dollars in new snowmaking guns that will make more snow with less water. That’s going to be part of the thinking moving forward. Climate change is happening and we need to react and we need to pivot and look at things a little bit different.”
In Southern Vermont, Magic Mountain’s recent investments have kept its snowmaking water in good shape. Here’s what Magic’s GM Geoff Hatheway said in a September Alpine Update email regarding its snowmaking pond:
“Even with the dry weather, the good news is the snowmaking pond is still full with some underground springs helping keep it that way. So we will be making snow early and often as we work toward our earliest snowmaking-only opening ever if cold weather sets in for November.”
For the next couple of weeks, please pray for rain so that the ponds can fill up. Then, we can pray or do random dancing for snow.
Image/Video Credits: MyNBC5-WPTZ, Jay Peak Resort, Garrett Koval
