More Snow, Less Energy

Lindsay Martinez, Workforce Development Fellow

As we've entered into the prime time for spring skiing, Killington Resort in Vermont, home to the longest ski season in the east from October to May, relies even more heavily on snowmaking to provide a dependable snow surface throughout the season, in addition to the annual natural snowfall of 250 inches.

Last August, Killington announced its investment in 396 new low-energy snow guns as part of Efficiency Vermont’s Great Snow Gun Roundup, which offers rebates of up to $4,000. The proceeds benefit the Vermont Ski Areas Association’s Learn to Ski and Ride programs. For every five low-energy guns, four older guns can be scrapped.

“Modern, energy-efficient snow guns require up to 85 percent less energy to operate than older snow gun models," said Dave Lacombe, snow surfaces manager at Killington Resort. 

The investment totals roughly $2 million, with an additional $91,000 in installation costs. Last summer, Killington invested $250,000 in their snowmaking system.

Killington’s projected savings for this season are approximately 1.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, 84,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 3.4 million pounds of carbon emissions and $470,000. The resort should see a complete return on this investment in about a year and a half.

Ranked number one in the nation for energy efficiency, Massachusetts would be the perfect host for a similar project.