KIMBALL -- This week in our "Behind the Scenes" series on WJON, we see how to make snow on the slopes at Powder Ridge.

As soon as the weather turns cold the crew at Powder Ridge waste no time making snow for the season.

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Mountain Manager Lane Anderson says they use up to 20 snow guns which run continuous for several days, if weather allows, just to have fresh powder for the slopes.

"We start off with going straight up the hill, get one run open, then start branching out and get a beginner run open and start spreading out from there," says Anderson.

The process involves shooting water into small particles where it freezes and comes down as snow, which is repeated several times throughout the season.

Anderson says they are not opposed to using natural snow but making their own provides a more dense texture and better quality for skiers.

"The man made snow is more dense, it's like running it through a snowblower several times, it's not as fluffy as natural snow is," says Anderson.

The crew will put in roughly 500 hours of snow making throughout the season, which Anderson says is all done so you can enjoy yourself going down the slopes.

"It's exciting, people get to do something fun again. They haven't done it all summer so it's exciting to get back on the hill," says Anderson.

Powder Ridge is hoping to be open for the season tomorrow (Friday) starting at noon.

Snow guns are on full blast at Powder Ridge. (Photo: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON)
Snow guns are on full blast at Powder Ridge. (Photo: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON)
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