Mountain Department
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is one of the most critical aspects of mountain operations. The Snowmaking Department covers systems, automation, air and water management, crew training, and operational best practices that help resorts maximize production and snow quality.
Cover Story
No System, No Season
Why ski areas need to rethink snowmaking infrastructure, workforce development, and capital planning for the next 20 years.
By Doug Fichera · September 2026
Snowmaking Articles
The Cool Sh*t Compendium
From fan guns and hydrants to filtration systems and all-weather tech, the snowmaking world is loaded with neat…
Making the Case
What’s the best snowmaking system a ski area can deploy? Depends on who you ask. So we asked…
System Upgrades
A collection of unique case studies about ski areas that are making transformational investments in their snowmaking systems.
Snow Plan
A guide to understanding the various elements of the snowmaking master plan, your roadmap to long-term flake-making success.
Maximizing Every Flake
When winter doesn’t deliver on schedule, ski areas adapt surface management strategies to get open and stay open.
Latest News
2027 I AM a Snowmaker Contest Nominations Now Open
Smugglers’ Notch Undergoing Major Snowmaking Improvements
Pats Peak Snowmaking Expansion Includes Multifold Increases to Pumping Capacity, Water Storage
The 2026 I Am a Snowmaker Contest Winner
2026 “I AM a Snowmaker” Voting is Now Open
Six Snowmaking Teams Selected for 2026 “I AM a Snowmaker”
Early Turns and Snow Guns Signal Start of the 2025-26 Season
Gold Medal Snowmaking Effort Helps Killington Pull Off 8th World Cup
Through the Decades
1960sSnowmaking– H2o, Air, P.S.I., 32f. MinusMarch 1965
1970sHow To Measure Your System’s EfficiencyOctober 1971
1980sNews Tools for Snowmaking MeasurementsMarch 1989
1990sPump Control SystemsMay 19922000sCrans-Montana Adds Snowmaking, LiftJuly 2007
2010sTim Whorl – Ski Roundtop, PAFebruary 2014
2020sI AM a Snowmaker Contest 2023 Nominations Now OpenOctober 2022Cards show digitized stories tagged to this department. Decades without tagged articles are omitted; the chips below still search every decade from the 1960s on.
Dig into 60+ years of Snowmaking coverage
Community
On the calendar
- Oct5Pipeline Project Ski Career Exploration, Mountain Ops FocusSnowbird, Utah
- Oct6Mountain Technology SymposiumHood River Inn, OR
- Oct6CWSAA Fall Lift Safety BootcampSun Peaks, BC
- Oct6CWSAA Bike Park ForumSun Peaks, BC
- Oct6NSAA Fall Education SeminarsShowdown, MT
- Oct12MT2030 Pre-Summit ForumSun Valley Resort, ID
Parts & Resource Board
Lifts
Urgent
Preview
Holiday Week—Part Needed ASAP
Looking for a replacement part to get equipment back up and running before the busy weekend.
Technical Help
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Looking for Maintenance Advice
Has anyone run into a similar issue? Looking for ideas from other mountain ops teams.
Other
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Help Tracking Down a Part
Looking for leads on a hard-to-find part.
Supplier Guide
G.W. Tatro Construction, Inc.G.W. Tatro Construction’s roots run deep in the ski industry. More than 70 years ago, our work began at Smugglers’ Notch, launching a legacy that has supported the construction needs of over 60 ski resorts. With extensive expertise in snowmaking systems and trail construction, we combine proven field experience with our specialized Zap-Lok technology to deliver faster installations, improved efficiency, and reliable performance on every project.
Fall Line ConstructionFall Line Construction, based in North Conway, N.H., provides excavation and mountain construction services for ski areas. The team supports lift and mountain infrastructure projects with lift foundations, on-mountain sitework, utility trenching, pipe fusion and installation, access road construction, trail grading, and slope stabilization.
aBÆRE SnowmakingBuilt on 30 years of experience in snowmaking, mountain operations, heavy civil construction, and pipeline infrastructure, aBÆRE Snowmaking helps alpine and nordic venues improve performance from planning through implementation. Services include systems assessments, infrastructure planning, construction management, and snow surface consulting. Better Plan. Better Snow.
Hestra ProHestra Pro builds winter work gloves designed to perform in harsh, cold-weather conditions. Combining warmth, durability, and dexterity, the line supports hands-on work such as mountain operations, snowmaking, plowing, and shoveling—anywhere reliable hand protection is essential for getting the job done outdoors. 
HKD SnowmakersHKD Snowmakers is a North American designer and manufacturer of energy-efficient snowmaking technology, including air/water snowguns, fan guns, hydrants, and automation controls. The company emphasizes performance, reliability, and operational ease to help resorts optimize snow production and system efficiency.
Ratnik IndustriesRatnik Industries, Inc. is a leading designer and supplier for snowmaking systems worldwide, since 1965. We are your complete source for snow systems-water pumping systems, automatic cooling systems, snow guns, water/air hydrants & accessories, consulting & system engineering-we do it all! 
SMI SnowmakersFounded in 1974, SMI Snow Makers designs, builds, and supports snowmaking systems worldwide for resorts large and small. From rugged guns and fans to SmartSnow7 automation, SMI delivers high performance with hands-on engineering, construction, and service. The result is reliable snowmaking built for efficiency and long-term durability.
SnomaxSnomax is a natural snow inducer made from proteins derived from a naturally occurring microbe. Mixed into snowmaking water, it provides a nucleation site for nearly every water droplet—enabling more efficient crystallization, effective at temperatures as warm as 31°F. The result: up to 40% more snow, better quality, and reduced water and energy use.
Summit ResourcesSummit Resources LLC provides comprehensive snowmaking services and infrastructure support across New England, drawing on over 20 years of operational experience. Services include snowmaking system design, installation, maintenance, and upgrades—from valve stations and pump houses to pipeline construction and snow gun support. Point of Contact: Doug Fichera, [email protected]
TechnoAlpinTechnoAlpin is a global leader in snowmaking systems, engineering high-performance snow guns and turnkey snow production solutions for ski resorts worldwide. Known for energy-efficient technology and advanced control systems, the company supports reliable snow coverage and custom system integration for diverse mountain environments.
Torrent Engineering & EquipmentTorrent Engineering & Equipment designs and delivers high-pressure water systems and prefabricated pump stations for snowmaking infrastructure at ski resorts. With deep experience in pumping, automation and control integration, Torrent helps operators build efficient, reliable water delivery and pressure systems that support snow guns and cooling systems while integrating with existing snowmaking controls for smoother, more effective snow production.Department Sponsorship
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