SROM 175 introduces you to the various components of ski resort snowmaking systems and accepted concepts, principles, and operational and management practices for machine snowmaking for the snow resort industry. You will learn about the physics and mechanics of snowmaking and its uses within a snow resort context, as well as its impacts on mountain resort operations and resort costs of operation. You will study snowmaking system components, including snow guns, water pumps and air compressors, system infrastructure, and system controls. You will also examine ski area snowmaking system design, operational practices, snowmaking capital and operating costs, and methods for improving the energy efficiency of ski resort snowmaking operations.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: None
Crosslisted: None
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 10 |
|---|
| Total Credits | 2.00 |
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| Total Hours | 30 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- identify the main objectives of snowmaking operations, and the implications of snowmaking for the overall operations and economics of a ski resort;
- describe how snow is formed through naturally occurring meteorological conditions and processes, and explain the implications of the natural process for how snow is made with machines;
- identify and describe the various components of a snowmaking system, including how those components operate: snow guns, water pumps and distribution systems, air compressors and distribution systems, air and water cooling systems, weather monitoring systems, and computer control systems;
- outline and describe the various types of snowmaking guns and systems including their operational requirements and characteristics, suitability for weather and terrain scenarios, and their utility requirements;
- describe the process of system design and system sizing;
- identify and explain the fundamental economic implications of snowmaking for snow sports resorts, including basic capital and operating costs and methods of controlling costs; and
- identify the chief environmental impacts and issues associated with ski resort snowmaking.
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 95 - 100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 90-94 |
A |
4.00 |
| 88-89 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 85-87 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 80-84 |
B |
3.00 |
| 78-79 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 75-77 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 70-74 |
C |
2.00 |
| 68-69 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 65-67 |
P |
1.00 |
| 64 and below |
F |
0.0 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.