Space … the final frontier for Starship Enterprise. Mountain Operations may well be the final frontier for computerization at small ski areas. Although computers have increased productivity in almost every aspect of our operations, we have been reluctant to computerize many applications in the mountain operations department. My conservatism is driven by concern about the acceptance and utilization of computers by “mountain men” and, within each potential application, concerns about: (1) cost/benefit (2) reliability/serviceability (3) obsolescence.
Will They Use It?
I have a general concern about the acceptance and utilization of computer systems by the mountain staff. Our outside guys – all first round draft picks and the embodiment of the Puritan work ethic – are somewhat computerphobic. In fact, they bemoan the demise of kick starters on the Harley – Davidson. We have digital weather monitoring equipment, but they still check it against the Budweiser thermometer on the oak tree before firing up the snowmaking system. In short, they have yet to buy into the magic of computerization. It’s important to assess the degree of acceptance we would receive before introducing computers to mountain operations.
Snowmaking
The technology to heavily computerize the snowmaking process is available to small ski area operators. These systems can monitor a host of weather variables, start, stop and control multiple pumps and compressors, and automatically start, stop and adjust individual guns. All this can be done from the comfort of a control room that resembles the battle room of an Aegis class cruiser. (These are the guys who shot down an Iranian A300 Airbus, by mistake!)
The concept of computerized snowmaking is as appealing to ski area operators as the Aegis defense system is to the Navy. The Aegis cruiser, named for the mythical shield of Zeus, can individually identify and track hundreds of incoming aircraft and missiles, and automatically launch the defense resources of a whole naval carrier group in response. The variables it can process in real time are beyond human comprehension. In fact, human participation can flaw the system – witness the A300 Airbus.
Snowmaking also presents a bewildering number of variables and humans capable of maximizing the snowmaking resources in the middle of a subzero night are hard to find at ski area wages.
Still, computerization sounds very tempting. If I were starting with a clean hill and proper capitalization, I’d definitely consider a high degree of computerization for snowmaking. I think of computerization at two levels: computer monitoring, and computer control. Computers can continuously monitor weather changes and record them. They can also monitor and record system performance and energy consumption. The computer can then compare actual performance against theoretical or historical performance, given a set of weather variables. Monday morning the computer rolls the game tape and we try to identify the reasons for the variables. We might discover a mechanical failure like an undetected leak or a non-functioning or poor performing compressor or pump. Perhaps we find overworked, undermotivated snowmakers, or a management directive about the desired quality of snow.
I think any area could profit from the kind of clinical performance analysis that computer monitoring can provide. I’m moving in that direction.
If I used a computer for snowmaking, however, I would seek its advice and counsel for decisions, but would still be cautious about centralized computer control for snowmaking. “Terminator II” clearly showed us there are hazards when we let computers control machines.
First, I don’t clearly see that the benefits can justify the current cost. We are handling 13,500 cfm, 2100 gpm and 50 guns with two guys per shift. A computer simply cannot cut my labor cost. Furthermore, I cannot envision significant energy saving. Would computerized snow quality be so superior that skiers would pay for it? I doubt it. Process control electronics is common in industry, but our environment is uniquely harsh and we are far from specialized service technicians. I have no personal experience with the reliability of computer controlled systems, but if it ever failed, could my current staff find the problem and fix it? The application of computerization to snowmaking is a new technology subject to high infant mortality.
I am afraid that today’s leading edge will be tomorrow’s evolutionary dead end. Today, as a small area operator, I still can get dedicated supervisors who are able to get a grasp on the whole system, and run it as close to redline as I ask. A larger resort with a complex system spread over a much larger area may have to move more quickly to computer control and the Aegis cruiser mentality.
Lift and Vehicle Maintenance
I haven’t seen any ads for robot lift mechanics, but computers can play a role in documenting and scheduling lift and vehicle maintenance. Several companies are offering programs dedicated to ski area applications.
I see the value of computers for maintenance in two major ways. First is risk management. If a liability claim ever calls maintenance records into question, records generated by a computer present a very professional image. Certainly the airline industry, and probably your own car dealership, have a computerized record of all maintenance. Computerized record keeping can create more than illusion; it can improve maintenance by creating a schedule of routine maintenance and it can impose an electronic checklist to ensure that it gets done.
The second value of computers in lift and vehicle maintenance is computerized maintenance records that can become the basis for what the information age has labeled an “expert system.” An expert system is a cheap imitation of the Vulcan Mind Probe technique, lost with Science Officer Spock. An expert system allows the invaluable lifetime of experience, garnered by your maintenance people, to be passed on to the next generation of mechanics. The next generation can build on the experience of past maintenance histories and techniques rather than reinventing the wheel. Again, the $64,000 question is: “Will they use it?”
In the course of writing four articles on computers at small resorts for SAM, I’ve had numerous calls and letters about the experiences of other operators and computers. There are lots of good ideas and applications out there for the operator looking to do things smarter, faster and leaner. We small area operators are a resourceful bunch. I hope that computers will help us all to live long and prosper.
