newpylong;c-60886 wroteRunning water exists for sure but seldom is it in close enough proximity to widespread snowmaking terrain. Then you need to install pumps on the hill to create the desired pressures. This may save some coin if someone happens to have a couple of high traffic areas close enough to an on hill water source (exactly like Green Weaver) but once you begin to scale it up the ROI balance will favor using the centralized water distribution system.
^^^^ This exactly. I'm surprised they made it to the prototype point.
Not to mention that the placement of each and every station requires custom analysis, has different placement challenges, and may often be situated in areas where electricity and heavy equipment can't easily reach.
Slap a "green" label on it and maybe it'll be a loss leader for organizations looking to raise their ESG scores.
Of course like most anything in the ski business, the easiest way to make a million is to start with two.
