Ratnik Industries Snowmaking 101

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However big and complex a ski and snowboard center - trail systems, lifts, lodges,
restaurants, equipment rental shops, clothing shops, ski and snowboard schools -
every component depends upon one basic element for function and livelihood. Snow!
Enough snow! Enough snow in the right places! At the right time! To thrive, a ski and
snowboard center must deal successfully with nature. Snowmaking invades nature to
eliminate the element of chance. Machine-made snow can give a ski and snowboard center an earlier start, a longer season, and the best guarantee of continuous
operation. It is the only sure way to have a profitable, thriving center of winter activity.

What is it?

Snowmaking is the process of creating snow by dispersing minute water particles
and air-under-pressure into freezing ambient air. This produces snowflake lattice
structure that is similar to natural snow. By regulating flake water content, snow can
be deliberately made from light powder to wet base snow, and to withstand higher temperature before melting. Snowmaking is a science that involves research,
engineering and economics.

A Simple Science?

Only the basic principle is simple. End results separate amateurism from
professionalism. Economic, logistic and engineering factors must be balanced
against each other. What areas should be covered? What are the climate conditions? What are the snowfall, hill contour, exposure, and solar loss factors? How many
skiers and snowboarders are expected to use the trail system?

Which type of snow machines to use? At what capacity? At what initial costs,
operating costs, and maintenance costs? The relationship of these factors is further complicated by varying characteristics and efficiencies of pumps and compressors. Energy loss due to system inefficiency, and elevation and dimensions of areas to be covered affect the physical size of the system. Energy factors must be correct.

Cost

In calculating cost, one must consider operating expenses. Costs of operation include
the size of the labor force needed to operate the system, daily supplies required for operation, maintenance costs, and most important, the efficiency of the system. An inefficient system will cost you profit in every phase of your operation. Everything
depends upon your snow system. Yet, a proper snowmaking system will run only
15%-25% of a ski center's total operating expenses.

Ratnik Industries Inc.

Ratnik engineers have the foremost technical expertise in the design, installation and operation of snowmaking systems and equipment. Ratnik engineers have "Snowhow", which is what you need when you want to install a new snowmaking system, upgrade
an existing system, or design a whole new ski, snowboarding, or tubing facilty.

BASIC FORMULAS

1. Typical Material Cost Breakdown of a Snowmaking System

2. Snowmaking Technology Energy Use Comparison

3. Typical Air Compressor Discharge Temperature

4. Calculating Friction Loss of Water in Pipe-lines

5. Calculating Air Pressure Loss Due to Friction

6. Calculating Horsepower For Water Pump

7. Calculating Operating Cost

8. Water Snow Relationships

3.2 Gallons = 1 FT³ of Snow
1 Gallon = 8.342#
1 FT³ Water = 7.48 Gallons
1 Acre = 43,560 FT²
1 Acre Foot of Snow = 139,322 Gallons of Water

9. English to Metric Conversion Factors

English Units

Gallons (GAL.)
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
Acres
Acres
Feet
Cubic Feet (FT³)
Horsepower (HP)
Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)
Gal/Min
Hectare-M

Multiply By

3.785
3.785
0.0631
0.40469
4046.9
0.3048
0.0283
0.7457
6.895
0.2271
10,000

Metric Units

Litres (L)
Litres Per Minute (LPM)
Litres Per Second (LPS)
Hectares
Meters²
Meters
Cubic Meters (M 3)
Kilowatts
Kilopascals (KPA)
M³/HR
M³