Snowmaking has only grown in importance at resorts across the globe as weather patterns vary and capacity needs change. Here in the Snowmaking Mountain Department, you'll find articles about efficiency, mountain ops management, software, team-building, pumps and compressors, snow planning, and much more. Plus, find job openings and opportunities to further your career.
SNOWMAKING ARTICLES
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November 2024Making Snow The Cross-Country Way
Low-snow winters have convinced some operators to embrace small snowmaking systems. When it comes to natural snow, the climate these days isn’t always forthcoming. It was especially stingy last winter in the Midwest, where states like Minnesota and Wisconsin saw almost no snow. This kind of di Low-snow winters have convinced some operators to embrace small snowmaking systems.
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July 2024The Future of All-Weather Snowmaking
The market is growing for all-weather “snowmaking boxes” as the technology continues to become more refined. When Ski Ward in central Massachusetts fired up its Latitude 90 all-weather snowmaking machine in earnest for the first time in October 2023, it was like Christmas in July. White flakes The market is growing for all-weather “snowmaking boxes” as the technology continues to become...
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May 2024Snowmaking's Secret Sauce
Prioritize your people to perfec the snowmaking process and product. Imagine this: You’re a snowmaker on a snowmaking gun run. It’s 2 a.m., and the wind is howling with snow swirling about. Visibility is 10 feet, and every step fights you. Sled guns are poking through the snow like miniature v Prioritize your people to perfec the snowmaking process and product.
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November 2023New HQs for Mountain Ops
Mountain operations have expanded greatly over the decades, and so must the notion of “maintenance shops.” Maintenance shops are one of those capital expense items that are often difficult to fund. The guest doesn’t see them, and they can put a large dent in an area’s budget, knocking the Mountain operations have expanded greatly over the decades, and so must the notion of “maintenance...
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November 2023Construction Site : November 2023
It was a big summer for capital improvements at North American ski areas. CRANMORE, NH When Cranmore tore down its main base lodge in April 2022, it planned to complete the first floor of a new mixed-use building in time for the 2022-23 ski season. Covid supply chain and labor challenges It was a big summer for capital improvements at North American ski areas.
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September 2023Construction Site :: September 2023
Lift and facility upgrades for the 2023-24 season aim to enhance the guest experience. BRUNDAGE MOUNTAIN, ID The summer of 2023 has seen the largest capital investment ever at Brundage, with construction underway on a new detachable quad lift and a 17,000-square-foot skier services building Lift and facility upgrades for the 2023-24 season aim to enhance the guest experience.
View all snowmaking-related articles.
The I AM a Snowmaker contest highlights the hard work, determination and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognizes their critical contributions to the alpine, Nordic, snowboard, and winter tubing industry. Five teams were chosen for this season's I AM a Snowmaker contest. This year’s competing teams were challenged to produce a “day in the life" video that captures the heart and soul of their snowmaking team. They showcase how snowmakers' contributions result in personal development and the overall success of the mountain.
Congratulations to Bolton Valley, the 2025 winners of the I AM a Snowmaker contest! Learn more.
NEWS
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SAM Headline News
The 2025 I Am a Snowmaker Contest Winner
SAM Magazine—Mount Snow, Vt., Feb. 4, 2025—Nearly 12,000 total votes were cast for the five competing snowmaking teams during the 14-day voting period of the 2025 I AM a Snowmaker contest. Contest sponsor HKD Snowmakers president Charles Santry revealed this year’s winner in the video below: SAM Magazine—Mount Snow, Vt., Feb. 4, 2025—Nearly 12,000 total votes were cast for the five competing snowmaking teams during the 14-day voting...
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SAM Headline News
2025 “I AM a Snowmaker” Voting is Now Open
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Jan. 15, 2025—Online voting for the videos produced by five chosen resorts competing in the 2025 “I AM a Snowmaker” contest, sponsored by HKD Snowmakers, is now open. Voting ends Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Since it debuted in winter 2013-14, the a SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Jan. 15, 2025—Online voting for the videos produced by five chosen resorts competing in the 2025 “I AM a Snowmaker”...
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SAM Headline News
Demaclenko North America Appoints Diego Facchinetti as GM
SAM Magazine—Tooele, Utah, Nov. 8, 2024—Italy-based snowmaking equipment manufacturer Demaclenko named Diego Facchinetti as the new general manager for Demaclenko North America, which serves the Canadian and U.S. markets.Andreas Lambacher and Diego Facchinetti He is responsible for leading the SAM Magazine—Tooele, Utah, Nov. 8, 2024—Italy-based snowmaking equipment manufacturer Demaclenko named Diego Facchinetti as the new general manager...
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SAM Headline News
2025 I AM a Snowmaker Contest Nominations Now Open
SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Sept. 30, 2024—Ski areas across North America are invited to nominate their snowmaking teams to participate in the 10th annual “I AM a Snowmaker” contest, presented by HKD Snowmakers. The “I AM” contest offers the opportunity for a handful of resorts to showca SAM Magazine—Natick, Mass., Sept. 30, 2024—Ski areas across North America are invited to nominate their snowmaking teams to participate in the 10th...
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SAM Headline News
MND Opens New Production Site in Savoie, France
SAM Magazine—Savoie, France, July 2, 2024—French industrial group MND opened a new cable transport production and assembly facility in Savoie, France. The facility cost 10 million euros (roughly $10.5 million) and is dedicated specifically to production of the group’s new Orizon range of gondo SAM Magazine—Savoie, France, July 2, 2024—French industrial group MND opened a new cable transport production and assembly facility in Savoie,...
PODSAM
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Struggling with staffing, motivating your team, or maintaining a positive outlook? Listen to our "Moving Mountain Operations Forward" Huddle on PodSAM, where we discuss burnout, staffing, and so much more. Organizational development expert Paul Thallner also chimes in with tips for managers to help keep their staff (and themselves) focused, happy, and productive. Check out all of our Huddle podcasts at saminfo.com/podSAM.
JOBS
- Look for jobs in snowmaking and mountain ops with resorts, suppliers, and other related businesses around the world. saminfo.com/classifieds
