Looking back, planning ahead
The 1971-72 ski season was an unusual one for nearly all North American ski areas. Lack of natural snow early in the season plagued most areas, while others encountered operational problems due to excessive snows and high winds. By late January the weather had stabilized, but the wind continued to be a problem almost everywhere.
Hopefully the vagaries of the past season have at least impressed area operators with the need to anticipate and make provisions for certain critical problems, even though they may occur only once in a decade.
Snowmaking at high temperatures
Many areas, for example, found that when prolonged high temperatures existed without natural snow, their snowmaking systems could not supply sufficient air, and snow production was crippled. One effective solution was to supplement the permanent air supply with rented diesel-driven air compressors. Often, however, the hook-up was crude and led to operational poblems that could be eliminated in the future if provisions are made now.
Having reviewed the past season’s snowmaking records, several areas concluded that a substantial increase in the ratio between air and water supplies was warranted as a permanent feature. They feel they must be able to utilize the system fully at temperatures in the high 20’s.
The recent snowmaking tests conducted in conjunction with the NSAA Mid-winter Meeting at Waterville Valley have provided some specific data on the performance of snowmaking equipment. While there remains a wide range of actual operating conditions yet to be studied, these tests nevertheless demonstrated the pronounced effects of temperature. The effects of performance at 0°F. and the low 20’s were expected, but the specific measurements have shown the drastic change that occurs. These tests have provided some manufacturers with the incentive to continue similar tests and obtain similar data at even higher temperatures. Hedco, for example, has launched an extensive evaluation program of snowmaking capabilities at the 28°-30° temperature range.
Lift accidents
The accident rate on lifts for the past season has again revealed that lift reversals are the primary cause of serious accidents. In terms of total number of lifts in operation, the accidents resulting from lifts running backwards are extremely small, but even one reversal is too many for the industry. It is essential to have a method whereby all area operators can review such accidents.
The problems with possible litigation make the obtaining and distributing of even the basic accident information nearly impossible. European authorities have adopted a system where the previous year’s accidents are reviewed by jurisdictional personnel in a purely hypothetical manner. No ski area is specifically mentioned, nor is the lift manufacturer identified, but the facts, as known, are revealed from a strict sense of what did occur and what were the probable causes.—R.E.K.
