Schweitzer hopes to open Friday
Schweitzer Mountain Resort rental technician Eddie Engelhardt uses a scraper to shave excess wax off the base of a rental snowboard. (Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD)
SANDPOINT — Schweitzer Mountain Resort is planning to open for the season on Friday.
The resort is crediting its new snowmaking system for the potential Nov. 27 kickoff to the 2009/2010 season.
“It’s definitely a huge help and why we’re able to open on Friday if that happens,” said resort spokeswoman Haley Sorbel.
Sorbel said Musical Chairs and the Basin Express are slated to operate, which will give skiers and snowboard riders access to Happy Trails and Midway. A reduced lift ticket price is planned because of the limited operations and terrain.
On Monday, the resort reported 18 inches at lower elevations, 24 inches at mid-mountain and as much as 36 inches at upper elevations.
The resort put the finishing touches on its new snowmaking system this year.
A newly constructed reservoir pond on the ridge above Stiles will provide enough water to create 18 inches of snow from the top of the Basin Express lift to the bottom of Midway.
Last year, the resort installed 6,000 feet of snowmaking line, 16 hydrants and two permanent towers. A well and a pump house were also installed.
The most visible elements of the new snowmaking system are the TechnoAlpin M18 fan guns. The Italian manufacturer boasts that the fan guns’ advanced atomization and nucleation technology delivers high-quality snow even in marginal conditions.
Schweitzer contends the system is the most energy efficient and low-impact snowmaking apparatus on the market. Compared to other systems, Schweitzer’s is capable of producing 25 percent more snow for the amount of energy consumed.
Schweitzer’s snowmaking system is automated, which conserves energy. When sensors detect ripe snowmaking conditions, the system activates. It toggles off when conditions are no longer ideal.
Moreover, the water/air mix can be manipulated to produce a desired density for base-building or topping the slopes off. The fan guns are also 40 percent quieter than others on the market.
The hydrants are retractable to lessen visual impacts and obstructions for skiers and riders. The reservoir pond on the Stiles Saddle is lined to prevent leeching.