7 Springs--Snowmaking
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johnfmh - DCSki Columnist
November 18, 2005
Member since 07/18/2001 🔗
1,992 posts
They are really cranking it out:

http://www.7springs.com/mountaincams.shtml

Once 7S turns on its system, it can usually get terrain on tap quicker than any other resort. That's been my experience. Hence, I'd say it may be the best bet for Thanksgiving Skiing and may even open before that date.
fishnski
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/27/2005 🔗
3,530 posts
Good morning John....Wisp now claims to be the #1 snowmaker in the region with a 48% increase from last year which alows them to pump out 4800 TONS of snow an hour.How do you respond sir?
kennedy
November 18, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
Oh no you didn't. Damn son you just gonna come in here and start throwin down like that?

Whatever anyway I just looked at the 7 Springs webcam and man it is a glorious sight. The mountain completely white, the guns running and the sun coming up over it, stunning.
jb714
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/4/2003 🔗
294 posts
I know my eyesight isn't what it used to be, but it appears now that the guns are either off or at least much lower in intensity. Since the temp says 17 degrees, I'm puzzled why it seems like they've backed off on snowmaking?

TaylorMatt, where are you?
kennedy
November 18, 2005
Member since 12/8/2001 🔗
792 posts
They seem to be running in fewer areas all right. Must be some reason for it.
Taylormatt
November 18, 2005
Member since 12/3/2004 🔗
339 posts
I saw the same thing this morning. Not sure why they stopped, but I'm sure they'll be back on soon. I honestly don't know how long they can continously run before having to be taken offline for clearing, maintenance, etc. From the forecasts, after tonight, they may have to shut off during the day for awhile due to slightly above freezing temps, but the nights look good for snow making through next weekend.
johnfmh - DCSki Columnist
November 18, 2005
Member since 07/18/2001 🔗
1,992 posts
Quote:

Good morning John....Wisp now claims to be the #1 snowmaker in the region with a 48% increase from last year which alows them to pump out 4800 TONS of snow an hour.How do you respond sir?




I got a call from a reliable source in the industry who confirmed that you are correct FishnSki. But the proof will be in the pudding. I plan to visit both places this season....
SpringsRegular
November 18, 2005
Member since 10/14/2004 🔗
153 posts
Broke an airline. will be back online soon.
Taylormatt
November 18, 2005
Member since 12/3/2004 🔗
339 posts
Quote:

Broke an airline. will be back online soon.




Who's got the duct tape???
warren
November 18, 2005
Member since 07/31/2003 🔗
485 posts
Ahh yes, duct tape, "The Handyman's Helper"

-Warren-
jimmy
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/5/2004 🔗
2,650 posts
Quote:

Quote:

Good morning John....Wisp now claims to be the #1 snowmaker in the region with a 48% increase from last year which alows them to pump out 4800 TONS of snow an hour.How do you respond sir?




I got a call from a reliable source in the industry who confirmed that you are correct FishnSki. But the proof will be in the pudding. I plan to visit both places this season....




CHECK IT OUT!!
TerpSKI
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/10/2004 🔗
167 posts
Wow that's awesome! I'll have to get up tp Wisp this year.

Regarding 7Springs, does anyone know about this new Yodeler trail? Is this a double black; Good potential?
jimmy
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/5/2004 🔗
2,650 posts
TerpSKI, During a sober moment, not too long ago, tromano filed this report and some grate pics, seems like they rated it a single black.
TerpSKI
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/10/2004 🔗
167 posts
Thanks Jimmy.
comprex
November 18, 2005
Member since 04/11/2003 🔗
1,326 posts
Quote:

which alows them to pump out 4800 TONS of snow an hour.How do you respond sir?




It looks a lot more impressive if you say 79 cfm of water or 1.32 cfs or 0.4 milliPotomacs (mPs). (Potomac flow at Little Falls: 3500cfs at around 3 feet) Of course, on 132 (advertised skiable) acres, that's just 30 mils (onethousandthsofaninch)/day of 10% snow.


PS Do check my math. 43650sqft/acre.
tromano
November 18, 2005
Member since 12/19/2002 🔗
998 posts
IIRC, Wisp has generally the most terrain open early of any of the local hills. Now with the upgrade in capacity the may be top dogs. The reason DCL. They never run out of water and never have to turn off or throtle down because of lack of water. Other area resorts have to store water in ponds. Durnig times of heavy snow making this serves as an upper limit to how much snow can be made reguardless of snowmaking capacity. --Tim
jb714
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/4/2003 🔗
294 posts
It sure is taking them a long time to fix that airline.
tommo
November 18, 2005
Member since 01/16/2004 🔗
303 posts
Interesting calculation - by my math, 4800 tons equals 153777 CFH or 3,690,654 cubic feet of water per day assuming 100% duty cycle and 100% utilization. (I think you made an error in your conversion to volume - it should be about 42.7159 cfs based on a cubic foot of water @ 62.42796 lbs)

Spraying this across 5,761,800 sq ft (132 acres), gives 0.6405 cubic feet per square foot per day, or nearly 7.7 inches of water per day. That's a LOT of water! (Good thing Deep Creek Lake is right there ) By comparison, when they run open the tubes for the upper yough, they drain up to about 630 cfs from the lake.

If you could blow 25% average water content snow, this equates to about 30" of snow over the whole area per day! Of course, they can't run at 100% all day, alot of snow lands on areas other than the slopes, there are significant evaporative losses, etc..... But it does explain why the cameras show lots of piles that are 10ft deep after just 24 hours of operation. WaHOOOOOOOO
johnfmh - DCSki Columnist
November 18, 2005
Member since 07/18/2001 🔗
1,992 posts
Jimmy:

This is why I plan to do most of my early season skiing at Wisp. In this region, snowmaking capability trumps everything else, even high-speed lifts. Snow is life.
jimboc
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/30/2004 🔗
260 posts
an interesting link on Liberty's site - http://www.skiliberty.com/gascalculator.htm
Taylormatt
November 18, 2005
Member since 12/3/2004 🔗
339 posts
A buddy of mine just called from moving in to his locker. Evidently the guns have been blowing on North Face Slope also, it's covered. Maybe we'll get lucky and see the NF Slope open next weekend as well.

From the cams, it doesn't look like anyone has found the duct tape yet
jb714
November 18, 2005
Member since 03/4/2003 🔗
294 posts
Awesome that they're blowing on the NF as well. Since the temp is now showing 30 (marginal for snowmaking unless the humidity is quite low), maybe they'll start up on the front face again later tonight.
comprex
November 18, 2005
Member since 04/11/2003 🔗
1,326 posts
Thanks for checking, tommo, yep, found the mistake I so hate hitting divide instead of multiply.
jimmy
November 19, 2005
Member since 03/5/2004 🔗
2,650 posts
Quote:

Jimmy:

This is why I plan to do most of my early season skiing at Wisp. In this region, snowmaking capability trumps everything else, even high-speed lifts. Snow is life.




John ur right, Wisp has it going on this year. You gonna daytrip from CV?

Ski and Tell

Speak truth to powder.

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