When is Opening Day?!?!?!

Posted 12.28.11 (10:00 am)  This is not the update I wanted to give you today.  Yesterday we had high hopes.  The temperatures dropped throughout the day and IT SNOWED!  The night looked promising. By mid-afternoon, we had all of our portable snowmaking guns moved to different spots on the hill to hopefully help our snowmaking efforts.  We even brought out these little guys.  They are called Omichrons, or air guns.  The last time they were brought out for this purpose was about 20 years ago.

When I say we have been doing everything in our power to get this hill open, I wasn't exaggerating.  Last night was going to be another night of our full efforts.  I say "was", because the temps that looked so promising earlier that day were not materializing.  In fact, they were increasing!  By 6pm, the temps had risen to 39 degrees from 34.  All in All, I was hoping I could tell you today we we were going to be able to open tomorrow - not fully operational, but open nonetheless.  Instead, I have to tell you what I have been telling you for a few weeks now.... we are still waiting on the weather. Our projected opening day is as soon as its possible.  The temperatures are getting colder, just not cold enough.  We will continue to do EVERYTHING we can to open as soon as possible, you can certainly count on that.  More updates will follow.....

Posted 12.25.11 (11:55 pm)  Merry Christmas!  Many of us at Paoli Peaks were hoping Santa would bring a full day of great snow making conditions...perhaps we weren't good enough this year for that?!?!?  We tried making snow both Friday and Saturday night, but the temps never got cold enough. So, our snow makers are up late again tonight, ready to make snow if the opportunity presents itself.  Until we are able to make snow, Paoli Peaks is unable to opens its doors. We will continue to post updates, even if it means we are saying the same thing in a different way.  Stay tuned....

Posted 12.19.11 -  It's been six days since our last update.  Six days ago the weather held a hint of hope for some colder temps.  Now, that hope is diminishing.  As far as Paoli Peaks is concerned, we are ready to go.  Our employees are hired & trained, our building is clean, our lifts are oiled, and are snow guns are ready blow some snow...  the only thing that is keeping our slopes green and our doors closed is Mother Nature.  We need her to cooperate.  Our excellent snow making staff is ready (and waiting) for the next chance to make some snow.  Currently, the next seven days is not looking good. Instead of hoping for an opening day of the 22nd or 23rd, we are now hoping for a couple of cold nights around Christmas that will allow us to put our snow making equipment to good use.  Be assured that we are doing everything in our power to have Paoli Peaks open as soon as humanly possible. Even if that means we're skiing on "fast grass".  Keep checking the website and our face book page for updates, as they will be coming more often.  Thank you for your patience and understanding! Oh ya, and think really COLD!

Posted 12.13.11  -  When I was originally making my Christmas list for Santa, I asked for the typical things a mother and wife would ask for: A maid to clean my house -including doing the laundry and washing windows; a husband that did the dishes and picked up his own socks; and children who kept their rooms clean!  While I realize not even Santa may be able to grant these simple wishes, a woman can certainly try!  However, after seeing the future forecast for Paoli, IN, I have decided to retract my original request and simply ask for perfect snowmaking conditions.  If, by chance, you haven't seen this week's forecast, allow me to cast some light...or should I say rain.  Yes Folks, I said it - RAIN!  Tonight the weathermen are calling for 30% showers and a low of 43 degrees. Wednesday is calling for a high of 62 degrees (WHAT!) and and Low of 55 degrees WITH rain throughout the day ending with a 90% chance overnight.  Thursday - dare i say it - is another day of 59 degrees and a chance of rain.   It doesn't take a skier/boarder to realize that these conditions aren't the greatest when it comes to keeping snow in the solid form rather than liquid. 

Last Friday, the 9th, was the first real snowmaking we have had for the 2011/2012 Season.  Due to warms temperatures and uncooperative humidity, we were unable to make snow anytime before Friday.  We continued to make snow over the weekend and both Saturday & Sunday night provided great progress.  Our snow makers did a great job changing our brownish-green hills to a glistening white!

Today, the decision was made that Paoli Peaks will NOT be opening on December 17th - This Saturday.  We know all of you are anxious to get back out on the slopes - believe me, we are anxious to get out there too!  Our number one priority at the moment is getting that snow ready for you! We just need some cooperation from Mother Nature. That glistening white, wonderful, fluff is going to have to hang in there over these next few days of rain.  Its going to be tough, but we've helped the snow out a bit by keeping it in piles.  In a situation like this, keeping snow in piles helps the snow stay insulated, thus fending off warmer temps.  With the warmer weather, the mounds will solidify a bit and any rain that does fall will drain off to the sides - keeping the snow in the middle protected. Once the rain is done, and colder temps return, we will fire those snow guns back up to produce more of that snowy goodness. 

At this point, we are aiming for a December 22nd or 23rd opening.  This, of course, all depends on the weather. Keep following us on facebook and checking-in on our website.  As soon as we know something, we will post it! Keep thinking cold, really cold and hopefully all of our Christmas wishes will come true!

Posted 12.11.11

As am employee of Paoli Peaks during the off season, you always know when snow is on the mind by the amount of phone calls that are received each day.  Since last week, the phones have rung off of the hook. Can anyone guess what question we are getting the most of now???  "When are you going to Open?"  That's the million dollar question!!  We have many faithful customers anxious to get out on our slopes.....And rightfully so!  Summer, you've had your time to shine, keeping us tan and warm, but now it is time to move over and make room for the colder temps and chilling wind.  Everyone here at Paoli Peaks LOVES WINTER and WE ARE READY FOR IT!!!

Unfortunately, Mother Nature hasn't been as kind to us as she has been the past two seasons. To make snow, we need more than temperatures below 32 degrees.  We need the humidity in the air to also cooperate.

Here's a Bit of Snowmaking 101:

Some of the basic requirements for the manufacturing of snow are compressed air and water.  Additionally, Paoli Peaks’ system requires electricity for the operation of the blowers and compressors. The air and water are both independently piped up the hill in large pipes, which are networked onto each of the slopes.  At the snowmaking station, or towers, both water and air are pumped into the snowmaking machine under high pressure and the two elements are combined in the nucleator, where it forms the nucleus, a tiny snow crystal.  With water near freezing temperature and air expanding at 110 psi to normal atmospheric pressure, we create a refrigeration effect whereby each water deposit will instantly become a tiny snow crystal.  Now, depending on the temperature, we add anywhere from 16 to 50 gallons of water per minute per snowmaking tower. This water is sprayed so finely that it clings to the snow crystal and forms a snowflake.  At this point, an electric fan within the machine blows the whole mass of snow crystals onto the slopes. The most efficient snowmaking occurs in the upper teens with low humidity.  At these temperatures, an optimum amount of water can be added to the nucleus without causing any freezing problems.  As temperatures and humidity rise, the amount of water needs to be decreased in order to create a dry, fluffy quality of snow.  Snow can be efficiently made at a temperature and humidity factor not exceeding 100, and a temperatures up to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bottom line is, we need certain things to come together to make the ideal snow.  Excellent snow conditions consist of 16 degree temps and 50% humidity.  It hasn't been until lately, that the temperatures have gotten anywhere close to these conditions. 

To make a short answer long, our projected Opening day is December 17th. The snow guns turned on for the first time this season on December 8th, but it wasn't until Friday, December 9th that we were truly able to make snow.  Since then, we have made snow on Saturday night, and plan to make some more tonight (Sunday 12.11.11). So far, we have made some great progress. We will continue to make snow every chance Mother Natures allows. Keep checking our website and face book for all of the latest news on opening day. Continue thinking cold, really cold, and we will do the rest!!