How Do Ski Areas Make Snow?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do ski areas make snow?

The Big Idea

Ski areas make snow with machines called snow guns. They spray tiny droplets of water into very cold air. The droplets freeze into small ice crystals before they land, just like natural snow.

Spray Tiny Drops

Step one: spray tiny droplets. A snow gun sprays fine droplets of water, often with air blown through at the same time. The mist shoots up and out into the cold air, far above the ground.

Freeze in the Air

Step two: the droplets freeze in the air. They turn into small ice crystals before they land. It works best when the air is cold and dry, because dry air helps water drops chill quickly.

Pile It Up

Step three: crews spread the snow. Snowmaking is done by trained crews, and the machines are loud and powerful. The snow lands, and groomers spread it into smooth ski trails.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at snowmaking! You need water. You need moving air. And you need cold, dry weather. Put them together, and you get snow, even when the sky has not made any.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Snowmaking only works when it is below about 28 degrees Fahrenheit. It works best when the air is cold and dry. Snow guns are loud and powerful. Only trained crews run them, so stay away from the machines.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! On a very cold day, watch a spray bottle mist with a grown-up. Do the drops freeze, or fall as water? Try again on a warmer day, and compare. What changed?

Outro

Snowmaking is freezing by design. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!