Mount Snow to install more energy-efficient snow guns

WEST DOVER, Vt.—Aiming to green up its snowmaking operations, Mount Snow ski resort plans to install more than 150 more energy-efficient fan guns, boosting its total to 261, officials said Monday.

The guns, which run on electricity and use on-board compressors, will be installed this summer along well-trafficked trails. Combined with 101 of the guns installed last summer, the guns will eliminate the need for 16 diesel compressors and save about 200,000 gallons of diesel full annually, according to Kelly Pawlak, Mount Snow's general manager.

"It certainly became very clear to us that fan guns are the real deal, as we were the first ski area to open in Vermont -- with top-to-bottom skiing and a terrain park on day one -- and we were among the last to close in late April," said Pawlak.

In addition to the $5 million snowmaking expansion, new owners Peak Resorts are planning to spend $1.4 million on painting chair lifts, improving a guest locker room and upgrading the resort's golf course.

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