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HomeSkiWastewater to Snow: Exploring Sustainable Snowmaking at Montana Ski Resorts

Wastewater to Snow: Exploring Sustainable Snowmaking at Montana Ski Resorts

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Wastewater to Snow: Exploring Sustainable Snowmaking at Montana Ski Resorts
The Clubhouse at Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership | Picture Credit score: Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership

The Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership, positioned in Massive Sky, Montana, is seeking to flip wastewater into snow for his or her mountain, making it the second ski space in Montana to take action. The resort follows within the footsteps of Montana’s non-public membership, the Yellowstone Membership, and greater than a dozen ski areas throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Switzerland which can be turning to sustainable snowmaking to assist construct their snow base originally of their seasons.

Golf course at Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership | Picture Credit score: Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership

Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership is a non-public residential membership in Montana that gives year-round facilities from a ski-in, ski-out clubhouse to golf, snowcat adventures, river tenting, and fishing. Members get entry to all facilities and may select to hire or personal property all through the property. The Membership offers you entry to Massive Sky Mountain Resort and the Spanish Peaks terrain is operated by the resort and accessible to the general public.

The Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership requested for a allow from the Montana Division of Environmental High quality to make use of handled wastewater to make snow on the groomed runs on Spirit Mountain, the Spanish Creek base space, and the Southern Consolation ski space. This snow would primarily be used to construct the bottom within the early season throughout the roughly 90 acres of terrain. It might be applied in two phases: the primary would use 23 million gallons of water to make 18-24 inches of snow and the second would enhance the quantity to 44 million gallons of water yearly.

Ski space close to the mountain membership | Picture Credit score: Spanish Peak Mountain Membership

Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership shares a standard guardian firm with the Yellowstone Membership. Spanish Peaks Vice President of Environmental Operations, Richard Chandler, who additionally oversees environmental operations on the Yellowstone Membership is happy for this chance as turning the recycled water to snow is each secure and helpful to the atmosphere. It’s sustainable for the reason that total course of is utilizing recycled water moderately than spring water and the general aim is to keep away from water waste. The recycled water is secure as a result of it’s filtered two further occasions — as soon as when it’s run by the snowmaking gear and one other time when it runs by the bottom.

The Division of Environmental High quality has ready a draft environmental evaluation for this mission and is accepting feedback on the plan till June 6. 

Boarding at Massive Sky Mountain Resort | Picture Credit score: Spanish Peaks Mountain Membership




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