Crystal Mountain gearing up for a season centered around snowmaking
October 7, 2021
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Oct. 7, 2021) – It won’t be long before snowflakes sweep across northern Michigan. But the first sign of winter has already arrived at Crystal Mountain with the delivery of 11 of 14 new snow guns from Quebec City, Canada.
“The HKD Volt snow guns are the airless, low-energy workhorses in the tower gun lineup,” Director of Mountain Operations Mike Cutler said. “At max capacity pumping 80 gallons of water per minute, these 11 snow guns could cover about an acre with a foot of snow every three hours.” 
The snow-making machines will be installed before the start of the season. The other three snow guns are held up due to nationwide shipping challenges, but are expected to be delivered in early November.
Crystal Mountain has also invested in 3,500 feet of new snowmaking pipe, bringing the total length of pipe to more than five miles. Cutler said all the pipe is connected to provide better pressure stabilization to the more than 160 snowmaking machines at Crystal.
“All of our snowmaking upgrades are driven by opening the mountain sooner, sustaining fluctuating weather patterns throughout the season and drawing out the snowsports season as long as we can,” Cutler said.
Snow is made when temperatures are 28 degrees or less. Those cold temperatures, coupled with low humidity, northerly winds and high barometric pressure are ideal snowmaking conditions. When those conditions roll around, Crystal Mountain snowmaking crews are on call 24 hours a day to take advantage of the conditions to cover the resort’s 58 downhill trails.
“The ability to expand our snowmaking infrastructure will help us continuously deliver excellent conditions for skiers and snowboarders, especially in years where snow conditions could be less favorable,” Crystal Mountain CEO Jim MacInnes said.
Premier Season Passes for the 2021-2022 season are on sale. Premier passes have zero blackout dates, guaranteeing unlimited downhill skiing and riding all winter, plus exclusive access to the slopes through the new First Tracks program.
Additional pass options and Four Seasons Club memberships are also available.
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About Crystal Mountain:
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, Peak Fitness, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings, a conference center, and real estate options. Visit www.CrystalMountain.com for more resort details or information about Four Seasons Club memberships.