Snowmaking at Powderhorn Resort
Powderhorn Mountain Resort is excited to announce the groundbreaking of its new snowmaking project. This project will greatly expand Powderhorn’s snowmaking infrastructure for the Winter 2020/21 Season. Due to the unique nature of the gravity-fed snowmaking system, this will be one of the most energy-efficient snowmaking operations in North America.
This project will enhance the mountain’s snowmaking water supply reliability and create a more consistent skiing surface for better guest experience. The water for the snowmaking project is sourced from Anderson Reservoir #2 and will be connected to the top of the resort then distributed to the ski runs. A key benefit of Powderhorn’s snowmaking project will be top-to-bottom snowmaking for improved snow quality in early and late ski seasons. The system will also tie into existing pipe infrastructure on Peacemaker, E-Z, and Lower Dude.
The snowmaking system will be fully automated using brand new Demac-Lenko Titan fan guns and Snow Visual system. Automation allows for better efficiency and gains the ability to utilize shorter windows of snowmaking temperature in the fall. Automation also allows for increased snow quality control and utilizes weather sensors strategically placed along the run.
The new snowmaking pipeline from the reservoir to the resort will be a combination of above-ground and subterranean construction and will parallel the new Rim View Connector bike trail, slated for completion in 2021. The Rim View Connector trail is a 1.4-mile long trail that will connect the existing Powderhorn Bike Park trails to the existing hiking and biking trails on top of the Grand Mesa, including the upcoming Palisade Plunge.
The pipeline assembly construction zone is in Lot 3 (see map below) which restricts camping to only Lot 4 for Summer 2020.
Powderhorn is committed to being more environmentally conscious and is continuing to do as much as they can to reduce their Carbon Footprint. With the new snowmaking project, Powderhorn will be able to make more snow for their trails while having one of the most energy-efficient snowmaking operations in North America
