LUDLOW, Vt. – On Sunday, Nov. 3, Okemo Mountain Resort deployed its snowmakers and engaged Mother Nature in the activation of Operation Snowburst. Twenty-four hours later, plumes of snow continue to billow from a variety of snowmaking guns via Okemo’s newly improved snowmaking system. Initial efforts are being waged along six trails, from the summit to the base of the mountain.

Operation Snowburst is a nearly $1 million investment in Okemo’s snowmaking system that included the purchase of 225 HKD SV tower guns and significant upgrades to pumps and pipeline. Utilizing energy-efficient, state-of-the-art technology is allowing Okemo to maximize its water-pumping ability and snowmaking potential. With the continuation of favorable conditions, Okemo will begin the 2013/14 ski and snowboard season on its target opening date of Nov. 16.

This investment brings Okemo’s HKD tower gun count to 1,025, mountain-wide. Okemo also utilizes another 320 snowmaking guns of varying types, but it is the HKD SV series of guns that will be making a big impression on early-season skiers and riders this winter – allowing Okemo to open more terrain early in the season and improving Okemo’s ability to recover more rapidly from unfavorable weather situations throughout the season.

HKD’s variable flow snow guns raise the bar for low-energy snowmaking technology. The multi-chambered, modular tower gun utilizes a double valve configuration with advanced variable flow nozzle design. The rugged frost-free valve allows the operator to achieve four levels of water flow, making the tower gun capable of a smooth transition from low-flow, high-temperature performance to high-flow, low-temperature production without the need for changing nozzles.

“This takes us to the next level,” said Okemo Mountain Resort Snowmaking Manager Ray Kennedy. “With the efficiencies these snow guns provide, we will maximize our potential, and with ideal snowmaking temperatures we should be pumping 7,000 to 9,000 gallons of water per minute. This puts us in a position to provide our guests with a better skiing and riding experience early in the season and throughout the winter.”

For more information, please call (802) 228-1600, or visit www.okemo.com.