Cannon Snowmaking

obienick

I’m confused, why are they paying some third party with no snowmaking experience for pumps and guns?  Is someone connected politically?

timberleaf

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“riverc0il”>Oh man, you got me on that one. You wrote that you “saw the plan” so I didn’t even think it was a joke! I knew your last paragraph was a joke but I assumed the joke was after the “plan”.</blockquote>

I figured the first line with the 5% dedicated to the “do you know who I am?” run from the door at Ernie’s to Zoomer lift line would be a dead giveaway! 

riverc0il

The problem with that dead giveaway is that it is too realistic, I could actually see that happening. Or at least, it wouldn’t surprise me even it sounds really dumb. That is just the state of things at Cannon right now…

TomWhite

In a quick look this appears to give a couple other details.

ropeways.net | Home | 2016-08-05

Energy Efficiency Initiative at Cannon Mountain Expected to Cut Consumption 30 Percent

Projects are expected to be implemented for this coming winter

Franconia, NH – A series of energy efficiency initiatives now underway at Cannon Mountain is expected to reduce energy consumption at the ski area by about 30 percent, while significantly increasing snowmaking capabilities.

The State of New Hampshire signed a $5.1 million contract with the energy service firm Ameresco for the project.

“This is part of the state’s effort to reduce its energy consumption 50 percent by 2030,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Rose of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, which oversees operation of Cannon Mountain. “Even as this important project is anticipated to cut energy consumption, it will provide critical upgrades to important infrastructure at the ski area.”

The conservation measures include replacement of Cannon’s main-trunk powerline and upgrading the transformer; construction of a mid-mountain snowmaking booster pump house; installation of 388 high efficiency tower snowmaking guns, and lighting and weatherization upgrades.

The ski area’s aging primary power line will be replaced and select primary and secondary transformers will be upgraded, increasing power reliability and energy efficiency.

The pump house will move 50 percent more water to reach snowmaking trails on the upper mountain, increasing snowmaking capabilities on the upper slopes. The snowmaking tower guns replace older, less efficient equipment, which provides the greatest energy savings and improves operational efficiency on the mountain.

The project is funded through the state’s energy performance contract. Savings from the reduction in energy will be used to pay off the bond within 16 years. Work on the project is expected to begin in late July.

Cannon Mountain, located in Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH is owned and operated by the State of New Hampshire, Division of Parks and Recreation. The ski area has 95 trails and glades including the Mittersill slopes plus 11 lifts, including the new Valar T-bar. SKI Magazine readers have recently ranked Cannon one of the 20 best ski resorts in the East.

www.cannonmt.com

Cannonball

This week Cannon brought in the first 60 of its 388 new high efficiency HKD tower guns.  I hope HKD provides some extensive training for the Cannon snowmaking crew.  They are the hardest working team in the industry, but they don’t always get it right. (or maybe they just haven’t had the right equipment to work with).  If they can get these new guns dialed in it could be a game-changer for Cannon conditions.

newpylong

If you are used to adjusting air/water mixture at the hydrants, like for most older guns, moving to the HKD system is a learning curve but it is very small and easier once you get the hang of it. On the option that most customers buy the different stages can be adjusted simultaneously (air and water flows/mixtures accordingly.)  You leave the air and water hydrants wide open. Another benefit is its often far easier to get at the base of the gun vs the hydrants for adjustments. 

timberleaf

Did they drop all 60 of them off right at the Taft training slope?  Or perhaps they’re being stored in Ernie’s awaiting location assignment by FSC?  

I’m kidding.  Well, not really…

Cannonball

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“timberleaf”>Did they drop all 60 of them off right at the Taft training slope?  Or perhaps they’re being stored in Ernie’s awaiting location assignment by FSC?

I’m kidding.  Well, not really…

</blockquote>

My thoughts exactly.  But they claim these 60 are destined for the Front 5. 

obienick

Won’t Taft get SnowLogics via FSC like Barons?

TomWhite

By Paula Tracy<div class=“authorPageLink” style=“margin: 0px; padding: 0px;”>BIO

Major improvements at Cannon and Mittersill for this winterNew Valar T-bar honors legendary ski instructors

UPDATED 4:46 PM EDT Sep 26, 2016Text Size:   WMUR

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FRANCONIA, N.H. —The Valar T-Bar on Mittersill slopes at Cannon Mountain is bright red and the cherry on top for a summer of major improvements to this state-owned and operated ski area.<aside></aside>It could also be a game changer for ski racing in the region, particularly benefitting the University of New Hampshire ski team, Franconia Ski Club and the Holderness School which plan to host events here, including the NCAA’s in March, 2017.The $600,000 surface lift tips its hat to other surface lifts at Mittersill since the 1950s and is preferred by ski racers and their coaches.It gives the maximum number of runs in the least amount of time and a valued training space.It is a coach’s dream come true.No state money was used to build this t-Bar.It is a gift to the state from donors in honor of the late ski instructorsPaul and Paula Kann Valar.John DeVivo, general manager of Franconia State Park, said Monday that the T-bar is an “homage…to their service not only to the skiers of New Hampshire but to the ski industry at large.”The T-bar is the finishing touch to a massive summer of improvements for the state’s ski area.Huge gains in snowmaking should be expected this winter.DeVivo noted thanks for the fundraising efforts spearheaded by the friends of Franconia Ski Club, Holderness School and several other organizations.Here’s what DeVivo said has been going on this summer:• The Mitersill Trail Improvement project, at $4 million fundraising effort nearing completion. This includes improvements on Baron’s Run a widening of a main trail and t-bar, along with snowmaking.• About $5 million in snowmaking, energy efficiency and infrastructure, not yet complete.• About 420 new, state-of-the-art HKD snowmaking guns and three new HKD fan guns on the Cannon side.- About 60 SnowLogic snowmaking guns on the Mittersill side, in addition to 60 last year.• A new booster pumphouse at mid-mountain to add 50 percent more snowmaking capacity up top.• Overall snowmaking capacity will increase by  50 percent.• Energy efficiency. There will be a drop expected in overall snowmaking energy consumption, by about 60 percent due to new equipment.• Snow grooming. A new $350K t Prinoth Bison-X groomer.• A new, $130,000 warming hut and restroom facility at Mittersill.DeVivo notes the timing is good as the University of New Hampshire plans to host its Division 1 Winter Carnival in January and the NCAA Alpine Championships in March 2017.For more on helping the fundraising efforts still underway, visit http://www.franconiaskiclub.com/

newpylong

Test

Remski

looking at the webcam at the summit of Cannon I noticed that the Taft trail now. has snowmaking pipes and tower guns. Something new to me.

Cannonball

Well no matter your opinion on Cannon’s ownership, funding, or management…it’s undeniable that their recent snowmaking upgrades are proving to be a complete game-changer. They lit up the Front 5, plus Lower Cannon, and Gremlin to open with more options than I can ever remember.  They even had a respectable park in operation for opening weekend.  At the same time, they also focused their firepower on the upper mountain with  Profile, Upper Cannon, Ravine, Spookie, Upper Gremlin, and others all getting blasted.  And all this with barely a whisper of sound.  You could stand under the guns and have a normal conversation. This may not seem like magic to people from other mountains, but at Cannon it has always been an ear-splitting blast in the face with man-made sleet. 

We’ll see how it all plays out over the season. But for right now this is one heck of an impressive start.   

riverc0il

I agree. I was there Sunday and it was stunning what they did with like, what, a week or less of snowmaking? And then to already be pushing for middle mountain and the summit with more than two complete unique runs top to bottom by the second weekend of operation plus the existing terrain… absolutely great! Lots of ungroomed snow to ski on the Front Five. If anything, I gotta question the decision to not finish the job on the front five… while I was loving the ungroomed…. the grooming left a bit to be desired for intermediates. Especially Gary’s which had only two passes of grooming including a few “ridges”. Minor issue, not one that I care about, but I think some intermediates might have been disappointed with the offerings this past weekend. Also, amazingly, they had the newbie lift open with beginner terrain on Brookside. While grooming conditions were not ideal for intermediates, they truly opened with some terrain for everyone from beginner to expert.

newman

This year is the first one I can remember 3 runs on the front five on opening weekend.

obienick

It’s strange. One of Rocket’s complaints about Cannon and state ownership is the expense of operating their old A/W system and the sluggishness at opening terrain. And yet he b*****ed on his anti-Cannon site that they invested heavily in snowmaking infrastructure despite ignoring the well-documented cost savings in the medium-term and the immediate return of quicker terrain expansions.

We saw this exact turn of events with Loon.  They were able to make a lot more snow early season with their low-E HKD push and were even fighting for 1st in NH honors. We’ve seen this exact same thing with Stowe recently as well.  And Wildcat, too.  Okemo, Stratton, and Bretton Woods have used this strategy for 15+ years now.  

The good news is that Cannon isn’t [as] air-limited now. 

tedede

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“obienick”>It’s strange. One of Rocket’s complaints about Cannon and state ownership is the expense of operating their old A/W system and the sluggishness at opening terrain. And yet he b*****ed on his anti-Cannon site that they invested heavily in snowmaking infrastructure despite ignoring the well-documented cost savings in the medium-term and the immediate return of quicker terrain expansions</blockquote>Because the investment and debt service are guaranteed by taxpayers, they have no incentive whatsoever to increase efficiency or provide a better product.

Rivercoil stated: ' Gary’s which had only two passes of grooming including a few “ridges”' 

Are they grooming limited now, or do they just not think anyone would care about a 150 foot wide trail with 25 feet of it groomed poorly?

Cannonball

"they have no incentive whatsoever to increase efficiency or provide a better product. "

Well then more power to them, because even with no apparent incentive they are being much more efficient and providing a MUCH better product. 

timberleaf

It’s hard to find much/any fault with the new snowmaking at Cannon.  Sure, maybe you could say only spend half of the $5M on snowmaking and the other half on lift improvements, but that just means Mittersill would get ALL of the new guns.  And a new lift.

As for grooming, I don’t fault the groomers for rolling on warm wet snow.  Honestly, rather than being upset about the grooming on Gary’s I think everyone was flat out shocked that FSC hadn’t annexed the groomed ribbon the way they usually do.

Too busy holding court in the Zoomer chair unload area I suppose.  I’m being kind, some might say they were standing right in the way all day oblivious to the huddled masses trying to exit the chair.

Some might say…

The ridges (trenches, foxholes, crevices) on Rocket made Gary’s look like butter.  I half expected to see smaller kids get swallowed up like you see in earthquake movies.  All in good fun, of course… it’s Cannon after all, maimed kids are just part of the “living legend”.

You have to ask why they’d focus on the front 5 for opening in lieu of top to bottom.  Is it more important to have an expert trail (Zoomer) or to have the HSQ open and access to the top?  Other areas focus early season on north facing terrain at elevation with a single route down near the bottom.  Cannon chose to do the opposite.  Interesting, isn’t it?

Given the way things went last year - All Gremlin all the time well into December - you have to wonder whether Cannon management was influenced by the fact that it’s WAY more convenient for FSC to have the front 5 (3) opened.

(Thurston Howell III voice) “Lovey, we were getting dressed in that dreadful Peabody lodge for over 3 weeks last year!  The indignity of it all!”

Fast forward to present day, bury the front 3 for opening day and Ernie’s is in business from day 1.

Just sayin…

Cannonball

It’s hard to find much/any fault with the new snowmaking at Cannon.

YES! this^

As for grooming, I don’t fault the groomers for rolling on warm wet snow.

And this^

Honestly, rather than being upset about the grooming on Gary’s I think everyone was flat out shocked that FSC hadn’t annexed the groomed ribbon the way they usually do.

Ha! Absolutely this^

Too busy holding court in the Zoomer chair unload area I suppose.  I’m being kind, some might say they were standing right in the way all day oblivious to the huddled masses trying to exit the chair.  

Some might say…

Some might say it was Cannon Ski Patrol clogging up even more of the unload area than FSC.  What exactly were 6-8 patrollers doing standing there literally ALL day Saturday??  Maybe they are all FSC grads.

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