Repairs and improvements to the snowmaking equipment and infrastructure at The Homestead will provide more snow for those on the slopes this winter. The replacement of pipes and repair work to the pump will enable the resort to make more snow more quickly, providing skiers and snowboarders better conditions on the hills.
The work stems from the discovery last year of several small leaks in the pipes that carry the water to make snow. This prevented the snowguns from working to their potential. Jamie Kuras says it was essential to address the problem, and rather than try to identify and repair the individual leaks, The Homestead installed new pipes. “We are replacing the existing lines,” says Kuras. “It was unfixable in winter, and the engineer recommended replacing 800 feet.”
The process of digging the trenches and connecting the new pipe has taken several weeks. Not only is the new pipe leak-free, Kuras says they incorporated isolation valves into the system. That will make it easier to send water and create snow in specific areas where it is most desirable. “We can isolate areas to maintain better pressure elsewhere,” Kuras says. “We also added more hydrants and repaired our pump.”
The result is The Homestead will be able to not only create more snow more quickly, but will be able to do so when and where it is needed. Kuras says that will no doubt make skiers happy. “The benefit is making snow more effectively,” Kuras says.
The entire project should be completed by mid-November. Then it’s up to Mother Nature to provide temperatures cold enough for snowmaking. If she can provide some snow on her own as well, all the better.
