Snowmaking is well under way across Colorado and the United States, with resorts getting closer and closer to opening day (as long as the weather continues to cooperate). With so much snow being made, requiring so much water, you might wonder what kind of effect snowmaking has on the environment. Arapahoe Basin‘s Sustainability Coordinator Helena talked about how snowmaking really isn’t as water intensive as many seem to think it is in the mountain’s most recent Sustainability Sunday.
According to the video, snowmaking is considered a non-consumptive use of water. Several studies conducted in Colorado have shown that more than 80% of the water used to make snow is returned to the local water system by the end of the season. The other 20% is lost to environmental impacts like evaporation.
Of course water consumption isn’t the only impact behind snowmaking. More significant is the energy required to actually make the snow, and that can be pretty major depending on the resort. Arapahoe Basin plans to explore that subject in next weekend’s Sustainability Sunday, so make sure to follow them on their social media if you want to learn more.
