Fort McMurray
SERVING AB, BC, & NWT
How cold does it need to be to make snow?
Our snowmakers can make snow as warm as -2C, however as the temperature warms up, the volume of snow produced will be less. The question really is, at what point is it not economical for our clients to make snow on their winter program. There are a few weather considerations for when it's economical and when it's not, such as temperature, humidity, and wind. As an example, if it's -5C, and it's humid and windy, less snow will accumulate where it's needed versus when it's -5C, and it's dry and calm. Another consideration as to whether or not snowmaking is economical on warm days, is how urgently our clients require the snow. If the snow bridge that we are building is not urgently required, then it might make sense for us to only make snow when the temperatures are colder and production levels are higher. However, if our clients have an entire fleet of equipment waiting to cross a snow bridge that isn't completed, or they have a large winter program to complete in a short period, then it may make sense to make snow during warm days, despite the lower snow production. Although the snowmaking may not be as cost effective as it could be during colder temperatures, it may save our client money in the overall picture, since the cost of snowmaking may be a very minor consideration compared to delaying an entire project that's costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a day. As a general rule, we find that our skid mounted fan guns operate best at temperatures below about -4C, and our snow cannons operate best below about -6C.
What is the coldest temperature that you can make snow?
We haven't encountered a temperature that's too cold for us to make snow at yet. We've had our snowmakers operating at temperatures as cold as -45C in the Northwest Territories and northern Alberta / BC without any problems. Although some precautions and extra measures need to be taken when it's extremely cold, there is no reason for us to shut down at any temperatures we've ever encountered. Over the years we've continually improved our snowmaker designs for reliable operation in cold climates. With our attention to design detail, and proper crew training, we've got the cold masterered.
Does the snow need to be packed in order to build a strong snow bridge?
No. Unlike natural snow, the snow we make is very dense and wet. Once this snow has set for about 12 hours it becomes quite hard, creating a durable and strong snow bridge. This snow can't be compressed, and therefore requires no packing.
Should the top of a snow bridge be flooded?
Yes. Although not necessary for strength, flooding the top of a snow bridge with water will create a strong layer of ice that will help make the road surface more durable. Tire chains and heavy equipment tracks will not chew up a snow bridge that has been flooded as much as one that hasn't. If a snowcat or dozer is able to level the top of a snow bridge as soon as we are finished making snow, we will then quickly flood the bridge. If a bridge hasn't been flooded, it usually isn't a big concern unless it receives high volumes of traffic.
How much snow can you make an hour?
There is no easy answer to this due to many variables that affect snow production, such as air temperature, humidy, wind, and water temperature. The volume of snow we make is always changing dependent on weather conditions. We have 2 types of snowmaking systems, our skid mounted fan guns, and our snow cannons. The snow cannon snow guns are high output snowmakers that have been impressing our clients for years. However we didn't stop there, we also designed and fabricated skid mounted fan guns which make massive amounts of snow, about 50% more than the snow cannons.
Often snow making contractors in Alberta will claim that they can make "X" amount of snow per hour. From our experience this number is usually quite far from accurate. They may be calculating expansion ratios of water to snow at 1:10 (which is closer to natural snow), and they might not be factoring in wind loss and evaporation. In reality, man made snow has an expansion ratio of water to snow of about 1:2. It's then necessary to calculate snow volumes based on usuable snow that ends up on the ground where it's required, not the snow that comes out of the snow guns.
We've found the best way to estimate the length of time required to build a snow bridge is to look at work we've done in the past. Upon request, we are happy to provide pictures sampling a few snow bridges we've built in the past, with the length of the bridge and amount of snowmaking shifts required to complete the bridge. Our clients have consistently commented on the high production of our snow guns, and we are confident that our new clients will be equally happy with our capabilities.
How much ground pressure do your snowcats have?
Dependent on the model of the snowcat, our machines range from 0.75 PSI to 1.00 PSI. There isn't another machine of comparable ground pressure that can move as much snow, or drive frost into the ground as quickly as a snowcat can. That's why snowcats are the preferred machine for opening winter access roads and clearing pipeline right of ways in Alberta, as well as building ice roads in the Arctic. When working on soft ground with minimal frost, snowcats are the safe and efficient option.
Do you have different sizes of snowcats?
Yes. Our larger snowcats are late model PistenBully 400's with 370 hp. These high production machines are great for larger jobs where there's lots of snow to clear or winter access to freeze in during a limited amount of time. These are similar in weight to what most people consider a normal snowcat, however they have increased power over older snowcats that are often seen in Alberta. We also have smaller snowcats such as the Prinoth Trooper or Bombardier 180. These small snowcats can be hauled behind a pickup without a pilot car, making these ideal for projects where there's lots of MOB between sites, or smaller jobs where a large machine isn't required. This keeps MOB costs low and is very convenient for transport. Our snow making crews will often use our smaller snowcats to pull our snow making trailers into a snow making location before the ice road has been constructed for pickup access. Our operators can then use the snowcat to shape and build a snow bridge as they are making snow, as well as transporting themselves and fuel in and out of the job site each day.
How cold does it need to be to make snow?
Our snowmakers can make snow as warm as -2C, however as the temperature warms up, the volume of snow produced will be less. The question really is, at what point is it not economical for our clients to make snow on their winter program. There are a few weather considerations for when it's economical and when it's not, such as temperature, humidity, and wind. As an example, if it's -5C, and it's humid and windy, less snow will accumulate where it's needed versus when it's -5C, and it's dry and calm. Another consideration as to whether or not snowmaking is economical on warm days, is how urgently our clients require the snow. If the snow bridge that we are building is not urgently required, then it might make sense for us to only make snow when the temperatures are colder and production levels are higher. However, if our clients have an entire fleet of equipment waiting to cross a snow bridge that isn't completed, or they have a large winter program to complete in a short period, then it may make sense to make snow during warm days, despite the lower snow production. Although the snowmaking may not be as cost effective as it could be during colder temperatures, it may save our client money in the overall picture, since the cost of snowmaking may be a very minor consideration compared to delaying an entire project that's costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars a day. As a general rule, we find that our skid mounted fan guns operate best at temperatures below about -4C, and our snow cannons operate best below about -6C.
What is the coldest temperature that you can make snow?
We haven't encountered a temperature that's too cold for us to make snow at yet. We've had our snowmakers operating at temperatures as cold as -45C in the Northwest Territories and northern Alberta / BC without any problems. Although some precautions and extra measures need to be taken when it's extremely cold, there is no reason for us to shut down at any temperatures we've ever encountered. Over the years we've continually improved our snowmaker designs for reliable operation in cold climates. With our attention to design detail, and proper crew training, we've got the cold masterered.
Does the snow need to be packed in order to build a strong snow bridge?
No. Unlike natural snow, the snow we make is very dense and wet. Once this snow has set for about 12 hours it becomes quite hard, creating a durable and strong snow bridge. This snow can't be compressed, and therefore requires no packing.
Should the top of a snow bridge be flooded?
Yes. Although not necessary for strength, flooding the top of a snow bridge with water will create a strong layer of ice that will help make the road surface more durable. Tire chains and heavy equipment tracks will not chew up a snow bridge that has been flooded as much as one that hasn't. If a snowcat or dozer is able to level the top of a snow bridge as soon as we are finished making snow, we will then quickly flood the bridge. If a bridge hasn't been flooded, it usually isn't a big concern unless it receives high volumes of traffic.
How much snow can you make an hour?
There is no easy answer to this due to many variables that affect snow production, such as air temperature, humidy, wind, and water temperature. The volume of snow we make is always changing dependent on weather conditions. We have 2 types of snowmaking systems, our skid mounted fan guns, and our snow cannons. The snow cannon snow guns are high output snowmakers that have been impressing our clients for years. However we didn't stop there, we also designed and fabricated skid mounted fan guns which make massive amounts of snow, about 50% more than the snow cannons.
Often snow making contractors in Alberta will claim that they can make "X" amount of snow per hour. From our experience this number is usually quite far from accurate. They may be calculating expansion ratios of water to snow at 1:10 (which is closer to natural snow), and they might not be factoring in wind loss and evaporation. In reality, man made snow has an expansion ratio of water to snow of about 1:2. It's then necessary to calculate snow volumes based on usuable snow that ends up on the ground where it's required, not the snow that comes out of the snow guns.
We've found the best way to estimate the length of time required to build a snow bridge is to look at work we've done in the past. Upon request, we are happy to provide pictures sampling a few snow bridges we've built in the past, with the length of the bridge and amount of snowmaking shifts required to complete the bridge. Our clients have consistently commented on the high production of our snow guns, and we are confident that our new clients will be equally happy with our capabilities.
How much ground pressure do your snowcats have?
Dependent on the model of the snowcat, our machines range from 0.75 PSI to 1.00 PSI. There isn't another machine of comparable ground pressure that can move as much snow, or drive frost into the ground as quickly as a snowcat can. That's why snowcats are the preferred machine for opening winter access roads and clearing pipeline right of ways in Alberta, as well as building ice roads in the Arctic. When working on soft ground with minimal frost, snowcats are the safe and efficient option.
Do you have different sizes of snowcats?
Yes. Our larger snowcats are late model PistenBully 400's with 370 hp. These high production machines are great for larger jobs where there's lots of snow to clear or winter access to freeze in during a limited amount of time. These are similar in weight to what most people consider a normal snowcat, however they have increased power over older snowcats that are often seen in Alberta. We also have smaller snowcats such as the Prinoth Trooper or Bombardier 180. These small snowcats can be hauled behind a pickup without a pilot car, making these ideal for projects where there's lots of MOB between sites, or smaller jobs where a large machine isn't required. This keeps MOB costs low and is very convenient for transport. Our snow making crews will often use our smaller snowcats to pull our snow making trailers into a snow making location before the ice road has been constructed for pickup access. Our operators can then use the snowcat to shape and build a snow bridge as they are making snow, as well as transporting themselves and fuel in and out of the job site each day.