Snow Farming in California and Utah: A Missed Opportunity?

Consistent snowfall year after year, especially in the early season, can be unpredictable, as many of us unfortunately know. For myself and all of the Lake Tahoe region, we experienced record-breaking snow during the 2022-23 season that started strong in early November and did not let up until May. Last season (2023-24), as resorts around the area pushed back opening days due to warmer temps and lack of natural snowfall, I couldn’t help but ponder the thought and possibility of snow farming.

• Related: Navigating the Chaos – The White Ribbon of Death

Would storing enough snow to ski later into the spring or even perhaps opening earlier in the fall be practical or logical at destination resorts or larger ski areas around the West Coast and the Rockies? Was that season a perfect opportunity to test the waters?

Just plant some snow, then water and watch it grow?

First, let’s take a look at the various methods of snow farming used around the world. Timberline Lodge, Oregon, makes giant “snow spines” on the Palmer Snowfield, which create low spots where blowing snow heavily accumulates. Doing so helps build an enormous base of snow that sticks around well into the summer months for skiing and riding. Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, sets up temporary fencing perpendicular to prevailing winds, which helps drop the blowing snow on the other side of the fence. With early season, higher elevation storms, they can collect and spread the piles down the runs accordingly. Lastly, resorts from Wisconsin to Finland use hay, reflective tarps or white felt, and insulated panels to help preserve snow. This can help ski areas get a head start on the season in a much more cost-effective way than blowing man-made snow.

Pros

• Substantially more cost-effective than snowmaking.
• Less water usage for snowmaking and less energy running snow guns.
• Earlier/later possibility of opening/closing and hosting events during the off-season.

Cons

• Possible waste of effort/money/energy if less successful than anticipated or poorly executed.

Could snow farming turn into a reliable practice?

Some variables and factors contribute to successful snow farming and help explain why destination resorts in California and Utah would or would not attempt doing so. Most notable is consistent revenue in the early and late seasons. While some diehards chase turns all year, would enough people buy day passes and take advantage of extra amenities in the off-season? Next, and equally relevant, many ski resorts in Utah and California operate under U.S. Forest Service lease agreements. This means that these resorts cannot open or close much before or after their designated dates without extending their land-use permit. This alone could be enough of a deterrent for resorts to avoid investing in or attempting to farm snow. In addition, weather and climate, elevation, and slope direction all play a significant role in the ability to snow farm.

Resorts all over the United States face a similar challenge: an upward trend of skier visits paired up against an ongoing battle with climate change. Seasons like 2022-23 for Utah and California bring anomalies of record-breaking snowfall and skier visits. However, this will not always be the case with snowfall. Also, as studies show the harmful effects of snowmaking, alternative practices and methods will become necessary to reach environmental impact goals.

In Europe, a handful of ski areas rely on snow farming over snowmaking to host early-season events or commence the season.

• Ruka, Finland: Ruka started snow farming in 2016, using white gauze to keep the snow at a low temperature and sawdust to keep the sun from beating down on it. In 2023, Ruka successfully stored over 37 acres of snow using these methods.
• Levi, Finland: It started in 2016, using sawdust; however, the fall winds were an issue. Now, the snow is saved using fleece-style geotextile blankets and a new preservation technology developed by Snow Secure that utilizes Finnfoam insulation material.
• Diavolezza, Switzerland: It started in 2007, using similar practices such as sawdust that have continually advanced. Large snow piles are formed before being covered with a durable polypropylene fleece that insulates and reflects the sun’s rays.
• Livigno, Italy: It started in 2016 to accommodate a cross-country ski race in August and training for professional teams in October. They use sawdust and geotextile sheets similar to Levi’s.

One of the biggest questions and concerns regarding snow farming concerns the loss of snow during the hot, sunny summer months. Surprisingly, the sun’s solar rays contribute only 20-30% of melting, while wind and temperature are the largest factors in a melting snow farm. These techniques aim to minimize the effects of Mother Nature as much as possible.

Ski resorts worldwide share a similar goal: aiming towards more sustainable, eco-friendly operations so we can all enjoy this activity and the beauty and joy it brings for generations to come. As the pressure increases, snow farming may be considered a viable option for California, Utah, and more resorts across the United States.