Ski Resorts Making Snow
The currentarctic blast is just what ski resorts in the Midwest and Northeast need to make snow like crazy.
A lack of major snowstorms and consistent cold air has forced resorts to open late and/or with limited skiing thus far this season.
Snow guns will be running full blast early this week as round-the-clock below-freezing temperatures settle in.
Strong winds will be an issue, but key positioning of the guns will allow most of the snow to fall where it is needed... on the trails.
Man-made snow is much more dense than natural snow. Although less desirable to ski on, it does weather mild, rainy conditions better than the real stuff.
In addition, most resorts have their trails located on the shady side of the mountain. In certain conditions during the daytime, these areas can run 10 to 20 degrees colder than areas with sun exposure.
While the coldest weather has avoided the big-money holiday week spanning Christmas and New Year's Day, the opportunities presented by Mother Nature during the first few days of the new year should make for some decent skiing days into at least Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, even though mild weather will eventually return.
The cold weather will continue to deliver heavy natural snow to western New York, south-central Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other lake-effect snowbelt areas into Tuesday.
Most of this snow will not reach needy places like the Catskills and Poconos, but that's where this snowmaking opportunity comes into play.
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