Adirondack Sports March 2024
Share Embed Flag

Adirondack Sports March 2024

adksports
06.03.2024 Views

42 Adirondack Sports

MARCH 2024 43 COMMUNITY continued from 41 This makes a big difference for the mountain, with the most terrain of any ski area in New York. Gore is three times the size it was two decades ago, yet it uses about the same amount of energy as it did back then. “The higher-efficiency system is not just to get it done quicker, but with climate change and our cold-weather windows getting smaller and less of them, we have to have more efficient equipment, or we’re just never going to get it done,” Dan explained. The snow guns pull from a reservoir halfway up the mountain that holds 30 million gallons of water. Since Gore uses about 300 million gallons of water to make snow each winter, it pumps up from the Hudson River to fill the reservoir. Dan explained that Gore has been using water from the reservoir since 1976 and additionally drawing from the Hudson River since 1996. These pipes and snowmaking equipment require nonstop maintenance, which is a massive part of the snowmakers’ job. “When you move 300 million gallons of water through above-ground pipes when it’s ten below zero, stuff tends to break,” Dan explained. His seasonal crew includes about 25 employees, who work around the clock over three shifts: 7:30am to 4pm, 3:30pm to midnight, and 11:30pm to 8am. They work closely with the grooming team to ensure they follow the same plan and everyone is safe, especially when sharing the trails with groomers at night. In the summer, Dan can keep about six staff members, including himself, on his core team. Two of them have been working at Gore for over 20 years. This marks Dan’s 16th season. This year, the crew earned their first nomination to the annual I AM a Snowmaker contest to recognize “the hard work, determination and camaraderie of snowmakers, and recognize their critical contributions,” according to Ski Area Management magazine. They were asked to create a “Day in the Life” video to capture the essence of their snowmaking team, which they did with the help of Gore’s marketing department: youtube.com/watch?v=w- 90sUpD7gk4. While they didn’t win, (Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland won), Dan said they appreciated the recognition. “We’re the behind-the-scenes guys,” he noted. “Nobody sees what we’re doing or how we’re doing it. I think there’s a misconception that you just turn some valves on, go home, come back in the morning, and everything’s fine, but you have to be walking the trails constantly. “Guns and pipes freeze; the system and equipment can be temperamental. It’s never-ending work,” Dan added. “If I didn’t have these guys, especially my core group of year-round guys… I wouldn’t be able to get this stuff done. They’re the ones who know what they’re doing.” Adirondack Sports would like to thank and recognize ALL the snowmakers and groomers at Gore, Whiteface, ski areas of New York, and across the Northeast, who have made the most of a challenging winter! ● MEMBERS OF GORE’S SNOWMAKING TEAM. ▶ Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) of Gansevoort is a freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two who enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks. A longtime journalist and former ski reporter, she has covered Olympics, world championships, and athletes of all calibers. She shares her passion for sports and recreation as a sales and content contributor for curated.com. ● SNOWMAKING MOUNDS. ● HKD SNOWMAKERS ON THE SUNWAY TRAIL. GORE MOUNTAIN/OLYMPIC AUTHORITY

42 <strong>Adirondack</strong> <strong>Sports</strong>

logo

products

Resources

Company

Terms of service
Privacy policy
Cookie policy
Cookie settings
Imprint
Change language
Made with love in Switzerland
© 2024 Yumpu.com all rights reserved

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!