SAM Magazine-Flagstaff, Ariz., June 8, 2009-The United States Supreme Court has decided not to review the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of the Untied States Forest Service and Arizona Snowbowl, clearing the way for Snowbowl to develop snowmaking using reclaimed water.

Snowbowl GM J.R. Murray told SAM that the area will now begin to work with the Forest Service to obtain approvals and schedule work on its plan. The area hopes to cut trails and install two conveyor lifts this summer, then begin work on the snowmaking system next spring. Full buildout will be a multi-year project.

The system will eventually cover about 200 acres, or 75 percent of the area's terrain. Murray said Snowbowl plans to install a state-of-the-art automated system with a mix of fan and stick guns, with a pumping capacity of 3,000 gpm. "You have to have that product, that type of coverage, to handle the visitor volume," Murray said. "It's going to be mind-boggling for people to see."

Snowbowl has a market of four million within a two-hour drive. Murray estimated that with more reliable snow conditions, this will translate into 3,000 to 4,000 visits during peak times. "Over time, snowmaking will revolutionize the perception of the Snowbowl. There has been a lack of confidence in the past. Skiers and riders need to know that we're open and are reliable," Murray said.

Reclaimed water is used widely in Arizona and is promoted by the state. In Flagstaff and Phoenix, reclaimed water is used widely for irrigation of golf courses, public parks and ballfields. It's also a relatively plentiful resource: Flagstaff produces seven million gallons of reclaimed water a day. To fill the snowmaking ponds it plans to build, Snowbowl has contracted to purchase 1.5 million gallons a day for 120 days each year. \

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