In the pre-computer days of radio, remote start proved to be very handy. Just imagine, an announcer could start and stop a tape deck from another room. Or turn the transmitter on and off by sometimes using an old fashioned looking dial-up rotary type telephone device. Kept you from having to go “up the hill” to turn on the power.
Snowmaking control these days is going steps well beyond such technology. At Holiday Valley, which opened on Tuesday, they have turned to a web-based application. Director of Mountain Operations Steve Crowley says the app can be accessed from a smartphone. “It’s automation, something we haven’t done before.” The application allows an operator to remotely start and stop 28 automated snow guns at Holiday Valley, and is part of the resort’s capital project for this year. “It cuts the startup time from an hour (down) to ten minutes.” The new application can currently control twenty eight automated snow guns. That number will eventually be expanded. “We operate probably eighty to 140 guns at one time.” Startup the old-fashioned way requires someone to start each gun individually.
Automated snowmaking can also control the type of snow coming out of the guns. The ratio of compressed air to water can be controlled and adjusted to the temperature and humidity. As the temperature and humidity drop, the guns can lower the amount of air being used, and vice versa. The quality of snow can be maintained.
Holiday Valley had originally planned to open on Wednesday, December 14th, but decided to open a day earlier since the weather allowed. Crowley noted that only a handful of trails would be open on Tuesday, with more lifts opening Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
