The extensive snowmaking system at North America's biggest ski area is about to get even bigger: Whistler just announced a snowmaking pilot project aimed at preserving the Horstman Glacier on Backcomb Mountain. Installation of the new system will begin in late July, with snowmaking starting early October. The pilot project will test four low-energy consumption snowmaking guns to examine the feasibility of preventing further recession of the glacier.
Per the press release, "The goal of this project is to preserve the high quality product we currently offer in both the winter and summer months," says Dave Brownlie, President and CEO at Whistler Blackcomb. "A snowmaking system on the Horstman Glacier could assist with preserving our summer glacier experience for guests to enjoy in the future, as well as improve the early season access to glacier skiing and snowboarding during the winter."
Depending on the results of the pilot project, snowmaking could be one solution to ensuring long term resilience of the glacier against climate change. If the project is successful, it will be Whistler Backcomb's only snowmaking system in the alpine.
· Whistler Blackcomb [Official Site]
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