CHS Snowmakers Snowmaking Systems

    We have taken a different approach to snowmaking for smaller areas such as cross country ski trails.  We know most X-C ski trails are 15' to 20' wide under the trees and only need 6" to 12" of firm snow to open.  Well what snowmaker can you buy that will make enough snow to cover the trail, is easily moved several times a night, will not waste most of the snow in the trees or break the trees and is cost effective?  The Cornice II Snowmaker is the only snowmaker that can do all of this.  It is a low pressure, low flow snowmaker that is ideal for such conditions.  Instead of making huge piles of snow with expensive snowmakers and pushing them hundreds of feet onto the trails with very expensive groomers why not make the snow in place?  This is a question we asked and we now have the answer...the Cornice II Snowmaker.
    Listed below are two snowmaking systems designed by CHS Snowmakers.  For as little as $6,500 in equipment you can start making snow to guarantee an opening date.  We can design a custom snowmaking system for you.  
    We can also travel to many locations and make snow for your special event.  Contact us for details and pricing.

Ski resort size snowmaking systems:

Are you looking to install a new snowmaking system or expand your current system? CHS Snowmakers can help.  From a simple small manual snowmaking system to a large automatic system, CHS Snowmakers can help you along the way.  CHS Snowmakers can get you started or we can be right there with you for the duration of the project.  With our previous experience and our contacts in the industry we will give you options and help you decide which option is best suited for your needs.  We also believe in doing the job right the first time.  We have seen to many systems that were built to small, not designed to be expandable or to much fire power with very little water.

We work with Turbocristal and PFM engineering to consult, design and install your system.  With PFM's experience since 1992 and Turbocristal's experience since 1985 and the numerous systems they have designed and installed you can be sure you will be getting the best system at the best price.  Save time and money and contact us for the best system possible.  Due to an already busy schedule with installations please schedule with us well in advance.

Do you have a pretty good system but would like it to be more efficient?  CHS Snowmakers can help.  From providing the latest state of the art snowmakers to surveying your system and finding where the "leaks" are that burn up the money resulting in decreased profits.  We will provide you a report and advise you how to correct it.  It is a small investment with a big return.

We understand not everyone has the ability to pay for a snowmaking system out of pocket so we have already made contacts for financing options.  These lenders work with the ski industry and can arrange flexible payment options tailored to your seasonal income.  CHS Snowmakers will work with you and these lenders to provide a turn key snowmaking system.

IFS International Financial Services Corporation
Lee Burnett lburnett@ifsc.com
802.879.3112

National Lease Financing Services
Chuck Gerni leasefinance@san.rr.com
858 546 4888

Capital Network
Jason Downs jdowns@capnetusa.com 
949.428.8988 EXT 125

We can also refer you to the right people for pipe suppliers and other important parts of a snowmaking system.

Permanent Underground Snowmaking System: For XC ski trails and tubing hills.
     This permanent underground snowmaking system for XC ski trails and sledding hills can be used year after year.  We utilize HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipe rated up to 250 psi for both the air and water lines.  This pipe is light, inexpensive, non-corrosive and simple to install compared to welded steel pipe.  We use 1.5" HTM snowmaking hydrants and 1" air hydrants.  Extremely low friction loss in this pipe means smaller diameters can be used for large water volumes.  
      This system is designed for the Cornice II Snowmakers, but the setup will allow for larger snowmakers as well.  If you would like to run a fan gun, the system can be designed for it.
     The cost of this system is roughly 50% the cost of a traditional snowmaking system or less.  The Cornice II Snowmakers require lower water pressure and lower air volume, which translates to less energy use.  Less energy use=lower energy bills!
      We use a well known engineer that has designed many snowmaking systems around the world to design your system.  We will provide you with professional results from start to finish. 

This Cornice II Snowmaker made this pile of snow, in two parts, all in one night.  The snowmaker was moved on top of the pile after several hours of snowmaking.	The Bombardier 180 had no problem pushing this snow out.  This is the pile of snow to the left.  We used a fire hydrant for the water supply with the 9HP Davey fire pump.
This Cornice II Snowmaker covered this 200' stretch of ski trail in two nights.  The snow is up to 2' deep in the middle of a 20' wide trail.  The pile at the end was up to 6' deep.	This is the same trail looking in the opposite direction after it was groomed.  All of this snow was made using the portable system and after we were done there was not any evidence (except the snow) that we had a snowmaking system in place.

The Snow Blaster

The original portable system

CHS Snowmakers has a portable snowmaking system designed for XC ski trails, sledding hills, special events or even small ski areas that need a little bit of snowmaking.  This system is small, easy to use, inexpensive and has been proven by several of our customers.  We make it easy to order by providing this portable package.  This snowmaking system will use up to 40 gpm of water in temperatures from 28°F (2°C) down below 0°F (-18°C).  GPM increases as temperature decreases, max gpm is reached below 10°F.

  Here is what a portable snowmaking system includes: 

  (2) Cornice II Plus Snowmakers with heavy-duty tripods

  (2) portable air hydrants

  (2) portable water hydrants

  (6) 1.5” x 50’ Niedner Snowhose 2000 with 2" CAM fittings

  (8) 1” x 50’ snowmaking hose

  (1) air-line check valve adaptor

  (2) 2” dust caps

  (1) Davey 9 HP portable fire pump with needed fittings and suction hose

Total price without shipping and sales tax $7300

Add $4200 for a 20 HP Honda Daley portable fire pump.  This pump can run several Cornice II Snowmakers or even a large fan snowmaker.
Add $750 for inline air filter to remove oil and moisture from the air.
Add $150 for 15 gallon fuel tank for pump.
Add $750 for 100 gallon fuel tank and 12 volt pump to fill air compressor.

Deduct $200 to operate without 9 HP pump to make snow from fire hydrant pressure or other pump.  Your water supply will need to be 100 to 300 psi of water pressure at 50 gpm to operate the snowmakers properly.  Water supply needs to be secured before order. 

A 185 cfm or larger tow behind air compressor needs to be rented locally.

Here is drawing of the portable snowmaking system.  Parts list is below diagram.

1. Water source (fire hydrant, pump from stream or lake, etc.).
2. Water meter and backflow (needed for fire hydrant).
3. Supply hose (maybe 2.5" fire hose from hydrant, could be skipped and go to #4).
4. Reducer (2.5" to 2" or 1.5" snowmaking hose)
5. Supply hose for water, 2" or 1.5".
6. Self draining portable water hydrant with 2" x 2" x 1" tee.
7. 1" snowmaking hose.
8. Cornice II Snowmaker.
9. 2" or 1.5" cap.
10. Check valve for air line (prevents water from getting into air compressor) to 2" or 1.5" cam lock.
11. Portable air hydrant 2" x 2" x 1".
12. 185 cfm (or greater) portable air compressor.
13. Fuel tank on trailer for portable air compressor.
14.  Containment basin under fuel tank to collect spills.
A. X distance between water source/air source and first hydrants.
B. X distance between  hydrants.
C. X distance between hydrants and guns.

Portable 2" x 2" x 1" air hydrant with dust cap                  Portable 2" x 2" x 1" self draining water hydrant

Other Facts:

• Cost for a 1” x 6’ air hydrant for parts $70

• Cost for 1.5” x 6’ water hydrant and parts $350

• Friction loss per 100’ of 2” sch. 40 pipe is 8.82 psi at 70 gpm at 6.69 feet per second.

• Friction loss per 100’ of 3” sch. 40 pipe is 5.80 psi at 160 gpm at 6.94 feet per second.

• Friction loss per 100’ of 4” sch. 40 pipe is 3.72 psi at 260 gpm at 6.55 feet per second.

• Friction loss for elevation gain is 1 psi per 2.31’.  Every 10’ gained is 4.33 psi lost.

• A pond that can hold between 50,000 and 75,000 gallons of water can help increase snowmaking production.  A pond this size will cover an area 100’ x 100’ square and it can be dug out of the ground and no dams would be needed.  An onsite well could supply the water or water from a fire hydrant.  Drift™ can be added to the water and an aerator can cool the water in the pond increasing snowmaking production.

• A snowmaking system can also be of benefit for wildland fire protection to help protect homes in the area and the Nordic center itself.  The snowmaking pressure and flow requirements are suitable for a PRO/pak Foam System ($937).  This is a hand operated foam system for structure protection in the wildland/urban fire interface. 

• Snowmaking systems can also be used for irrigation of sports fields and the air compressor also can be used to winterize the sports field irrigation system.

• Cost per 100’ of Trench/Backfill excluding blasting for shallow bury 2’ – 4’.
$? (cost could be less since cross country trails generally are flat).  The air and water lines will be above the frost depth.  The water line will have to be drained and blown out with air in late November or December if not in use to protect from freeze damage.

• Approximate gallons of water converted to snow for a 20’ wide by 1000’ long by 1’ deep ski trail.

20,000 cubic’ x 3.96 = 79,200 gallons (dry snow)

20,000 cubic’ x 5.16 = 103,200 gallons (wet snow)

• Approximate gallons of water converted to snow for a 20’ wide by 1km’ long by 1’ deep ski trail.

1Km = 3,280.8’

20 x 3,280.8’ = 65,616 cubic’ per 1Km of trail

65,616 cubic’ x 3.96 = 259,839 gallons (dry snow)

65,616 cubic’ x 5.16 = 338,578 gallons (wet snow)

• Square feet (or cubic feet) per acre

43,560

• Gallons of water per cubic-foot

7.4805

• Gallons of water per acre-foot

325,850.5

• Gallons of water per cubic-foot of snow

3.96 – 5.16

• Gallons of water per acre-foot of snow

175,000 – 225,000  

Conversion Chart
For more conversions go to Online Conversion.

Contact us for more information on our snowmaking systems.

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