Changing Snow Fall In Changing Snow Fall In Southern California Southern California

MountainsMountains

Nick EsparzaNick Esparza

BackgroundBackground

A few weeks ago I heard a radio ad for A few weeks ago I heard a radio ad for Snow Valley a local “So Cal” Ski Snow Valley a local “So Cal” Ski Resort advertising that while many of Resort advertising that while many of the other resorts may not have the other resorts may not have snow, this particular resort has lots snow, this particular resort has lots of “the man made stuff” that is “just of “the man made stuff” that is “just like the real thing” This got me like the real thing” This got me thinking about why it is necessary to thinking about why it is necessary to have been making snow. It was have been making snow. It was already very warm and technically already very warm and technically spring, skiing is a winter sport.spring, skiing is a winter sport.

ResortsResorts

Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain are the resorts I will Bear Mountain are the resorts I will be targeting in my data collectionbe targeting in my data collection

All three reside in Southern California All three reside in Southern California in San Bernadino Countyin San Bernadino County

History History

Snow Valley (SV) was established as a ski Snow Valley (SV) was established as a ski resort in 1941 and in 1991 spends 1.5 resort in 1941 and in 1991 spends 1.5 million dollars to install a computer million dollars to install a computer controlled snow making systemcontrolled snow making system

Snow Summit (SS) began making snow in Snow Summit (SS) began making snow in 1964, 11 years after the resort opened in 1964, 11 years after the resort opened in 1953. It became the first ski resort to 1953. It became the first ski resort to extend the season by making snow to extend the season by making snow to compensate for short snow seasons in compensate for short snow seasons in Southern CaliforniaSouthern California

Bear Mountain (BM) known as Bear Mountain (BM) known as Goldmine, was purchased by S.K.I Goldmine, was purchased by S.K.I and began competing with Snow and began competing with Snow Summit in 1988. S.K.I bankrolled Summit in 1988. S.K.I bankrolled many advanced snow making many advanced snow making systems making it more efficient systems making it more efficient than relying on mother nature. Snow than relying on mother nature. Snow Summit purchased Bear Mountain in Summit purchased Bear Mountain in 2002 creating Big Bear Mountain 2002 creating Big Bear Mountain Resorts.Resorts.

Snow MakingSnow Making

Man Made snow is made by shooting Man Made snow is made by shooting atomized water particles into the atomized water particles into the cold dry atmosphere which freeze cold dry atmosphere which freeze before they hit the ground. There is before they hit the ground. There is no “discernable ” difference between no “discernable ” difference between natural and man made except that natural and man made except that man made falls in pellets and natural man made falls in pellets and natural in snow flakes.in snow flakes.

The snow is distributed by fan guns The snow is distributed by fan guns that operate with help of that operate with help of underground water pipes and underground water pipes and electrical wires powering the fans electrical wires powering the fans and air compressors.and air compressors.

Snow Summit can operate up to 150 Snow Summit can operate up to 150 guns at one time and Bear Mountain guns at one time and Bear Mountain 135 guns.135 guns.

Historical Snowcover Global Historical Snowcover Global 2000-20122000-2012

Land Surface Temperature Land Surface Temperature 2000-20122000-2012

What does it mean?What does it mean?

The ski resorts have been compensating The ski resorts have been compensating for Southern California’s lack of natural for Southern California’s lack of natural snow fall to even keep up with the season snow fall to even keep up with the season since the early 60’s. since the early 60’s.

More recently however the increasing More recently however the increasing amount of droughts throughout the years amount of droughts throughout the years have prompted more aggressive use of have prompted more aggressive use of snow making techniques.snow making techniques.

Climate and Season changeClimate and Season change

Seasons are shifting forward, winter Seasons are shifting forward, winter weather in “spring” and summer weather in “spring” and summer weather in “fall”weather in “fall”

Snow cover is receding and surface Snow cover is receding and surface temperatures rise and fall as normal temperatures rise and fall as normal however the highs stay for more and however the highs stay for more and more timemore time

Water UseWater Use

Big Bear Lake is the source of BBMR Big Bear Lake is the source of BBMR water for snow making activitieswater for snow making activities

Much of the water makes it into Much of the water makes it into runoff ground water however the runoff ground water however the water used is never replaced in full water used is never replaced in full due to dwindling rainfallsdue to dwindling rainfalls

ConclusionsConclusions

If the patterns of the previous years If the patterns of the previous years continue Southern California will see continue Southern California will see more artificial seasons and this on its more artificial seasons and this on its own will contribute to the shortening own will contribute to the shortening supply of fresh water available for supply of fresh water available for the future. It will begin costing more the future. It will begin costing more and more to keep the resorts and more to keep the resorts running.running.