Snow Farming—Wonder Wedneday

Wonder WednesdayTOPO Land
Written By Molly Baker

Photo courtesy of Charlie Baker

It's WONDER Wednesday!

This week's WONDER is Snow Farming—the making, moving, and management of snow that involves lots of expertise and heavy equipment.

Here's a shout-out to the Snow Farming Crew at Nub's Nob Ski Area. Their hard work brings loads of fun to thousands of people and a big-time boost to our local economy.

DID YOU KNOW…
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  • Nub's Snow Farmers work around the clock on 8-10 hour shifts in 7-person teams

  • They manage 320 snow fan guns with air compressors and miles (literally!) of underground piping and electric lines

  • They make sure that 5,000 gallons of water goes uphill every minute to create gimongous snow piles (aka snowmaking wales)

  • The huge piles are then flattened and groomed by the Pisten Bully crew

  • All this coordination results in the creation of "corduroy" coveted by skiers

Thank you Snow Farmers for bringing the science and art of your craft to northern MI!

 
Molly Baker
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The Fox—Wonder Wedneday