The I AM a Snowmaker contest highlights the hard work, determination and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes how critical they are to the success of the mountain resort industry. I AM was started in the winter of 2013-14, and has since had various forms, all in keeping with this mission.

CONGRATULATION BRISTOL MOUNTAIN,
2019-20 I AM A SNOWMAKER WINNER!

Each of the seven crews nominated for I AM a Snowmaker 2019-20 created a video that takes us behind the scenes as they prepare and strategize for a successful snowmaking season. The voting period ended at midnight Jan. 21, but read the bios, watch the videos. They are all great testaments to the grit and undying dedication of snowmaking crews across North America.

ASPEN SNOWMASS SKI RESORT, COLO.

We are the snowmaking team at Aspen Snowmass. There are 30 snowmakers on our team. The perfect forecast for making snow is clear, cold, calm and a full moon. We have over 100 years of combined snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see salmonella on sticky condiment bottles. The motto of our snowmaking team is, “We’ve upped our standard, up yours.” If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be "Gunrunners." The percentage of crew who ski or ride is 100%. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, wild game would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: ATD (attention to detail), extra hose, shovel, tow strap and grit. Our crews keep coming back year after year to make snow because of the community and camaraderie.

BRISTOL MOUNTAIN, N.Y.

We are the snowmaking crew at Bristol Mountain. There are 11 snowmakers and two control room operators on our team. The perfect forecast for making snow is 12 degrees wet bulb and no wind. We have a combined 92 years of snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see something that could only be described as a science experiment. The motto of our snowmaking team is "GO DO SOMETHING." If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be "The Nucleators." The percentage of people on our crew who ski or ride is 75%. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, beer, whiskey, and steak would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: Jokotherm mittens, a filter brush, Leatherman multitool, two-way radio, and cell phone for taking pictures. Our crew keeps coming back year after year to make snow because somehow we consider this fun.

EAGLECREST SKI AREA, AK

We are the snowmaking crew at Eaglecrest. There are technically zero dedicated snowmakers on our team, but we have a ragtag team of eight groomers, mechanics, and mountain ops staff carrying the load! The perfect forecast for making snow is anything below 28° wet bulb; we’ll take what the rainforest gives us! We have a combined 20 years of snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see paint rollers. The motto of our snowmaking team is "make snow, operate with less!" If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be "The Alaska Oddjobs." The percentage of people on our crew who ski or ride is 100%. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, quesadillas would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: high vis, eye/ear protection, crescent wrench, flat head screwdriver, and a mini torch. Our crew keeps coming back year after year to make snow for the fame, glory, and riches—really for the love of it!

GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT, N.H.

We are the snowmaking crew at Gunstock Mountain Resort. There are 20 snowmakers on our team. The perfect forecast for making snow is 10 degrees and no wind. We have a combined 67 years of snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see energy drinks and carbs. The motto of our snowmaking team is, “we’re gonna need a bigger hammer." If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be "Avendelle Ice Harvesters." The percentage of people on our crew who ski or ride is 80%. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, PBR and meat lover's pizza would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: torch, wrench, shovel, spare hose, and spare gaskets. Our crew keeps coming back year after year to make snow because we love it!

HUNTER MOUNTAIN, N.Y.

We are the snowmaking crew at Hunter Mountain. There are 26 snowmakers on our team. The perfect forecast for making snow is no wind, temperatures under 15 degrees, with low humidity. We have well over 150 years of snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see Rizzo’s eggnog and microwavable meals. The motto of our snowmaking team is, "Just Send It." If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be "The Misfits." The percentage of people on our crew who ski or ride is lower than you would think with only around 15%. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, Surf and Turf and a variety of beer, would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: your light, snowmaking wrench, shovel, a torch, and a 4-in-1 screwdriver. Our crew keeps coming back year after year to make snow because there is no other job quite like snowmaking in the winter.

KILLINGTON RESORT, VT

We are the snowmaking crew at Killington Resort. We have 44 snowmakers on our team. The perfect forecast for making snow is 10 degrees with light northwest wind and low humidity. We have a combined 386 years of snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see, yogurt, cold steak, mayonnaise, peanut butter, jelly & bread. The motto of our snowmaking team is, ‘if you can’t max it out, go home now.’ If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be, The Water Hogs. The percentage of people on our crew who ski or ride is, 65% ski and 35% do not ski. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, cold beer and rare steak would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: channel locks tuned right up, turbo torch, striker, hose gaskets and water to drink. Our crew keeps coming back year after year to make snow because there is no better job than making snow. Every day or night is a challenge that must be conquered, and we do it for the creativity in our souls and so our guests have the best snow and the most runs.

PATS PEAK SKI AREA, N.H.

We are the snowmaking crew at Pats Peak. We have 11-16 snowmakers on our team. The perfect forecast for making snow is "sticks at 36." We have a combined 100+ years of snowmaking experience. If you opened the break room fridge, you would see one sandwich, one coke, one spicy noodle and a bunch of science experiments. The motto of our snowmaking team is, (day) "It will come into it” and (night) “Lights out, spray and pray.” If snowmaking was a professional sport, our team name would be "Kanchō." The percentage of people on our crew who ski or ride is 87%. If we threw a snowmaker’s party, beer would be on the dinner menu. The 5 key items we always bring on a gun run are: walkie-talkie, hard hat, headlamp, golden shovel, coffee pot pocket dog (think hot dog made in a coffee pot that you keep in your pocket). Our crew keeps coming back year after year to make snow because we would feel bad leaving Johnny.