Thanks to the expertise and tireless efforts of the snowmaking team, the resort is not only able to open its slopes by late November each year, but also look forward to an incredible season ahead, knowing a solid foundation is in place.
For Snowmaking Manager David Valladolid, the snowmaking process is, in his words, exciting, unique, and badass. He’s spent the past 14 seasons orchestrating the magic behind making the snow fly each year, and it’s a process he never gets tired of.
“I enjoy the work that I do,” David said. “As a snowmaker, you’re not just an equipment operator, you're specializing in all different kinds of trades in order to do your job. You’re an industrial mountaineer.”
Though snowmaking is a process that requires year-round planning, maintenance, and support, October marks the true beginning of the season for David and when his focus shifts from preparation to full-scale action. Each fall, David leads a crew of about 40 snowmakers who spend several intense weeks on the mountain.
Their work includes staking hundreds of bamboo poles and snowmaking markers into the ground, testing snow guns, hoses, hydrants, and other essential equipment, and finally, deploying the snow guns across key areas of the resort. It’s a physically demanding, detail-driven process that requires coordination, precision, and a deep understanding of the terrain. Ideally, this setup is complete by late October, allowing the team to begin snowmaking operations on lower-mountain zones as soon as temperatures are consistently cold enough. David’s crew is ready to jump on snowmaking as soon as the opportunity arises.
“We’ve realized we have a really nice temperature window toward the end of October, and so we’ve trained snowmakers earlier and have the crew on standby to take advantage of that weather window. That’s paid in dividends every year,” he said.
Even with the most precise planning and flawless execution, snowmaking is never without its challenges, especially when it comes to the elements. Warm temperatures and a lack of natural precipitation in the months leading up to the winter season can complicate efforts to build a solid snow base. Unlike equipment and manpower, weather is one variable the team can’t control, and some seasons present tougher conditions than others.
"We draw our snowmaking water supply from the East River, and snowmaking potential is entirely dependent on how much water is available in the river at any given time,” David explained.
On years when the river’s water supply is low, the team needs to work efficiently and strategically to ensure key areas of the mountain have sufficient snow by opening day. They monitor weather forecasts closely, looking for temperature windows to maximize snow production. Production to high-traffic and high-need areas is prioritized, ensuring that key runs, lifts, and base zones are ready for opening day. It’s a constant balancing act of timing, resource management, and experience, and it’s where the snowmaking team’s skill, adaptability, and dedication shine.
The work is far from easy, and it takes a special kind of commitment to being the driving force behind what makes opening day at CBMR possible each season.
“This job is incredibly physical, and snowmakers often find themselves wet and cold, often at the same time,” David said. “It’s physically and mentally demanding.”
Still, for the right person, the challenges are part of the reward. In an environment where conditions are tough and success is hard-earned, snowmaking can be some of the most gratifying work on the mountain.
“Great snowmakers are able to internalize the pride they feel when they see a family or a college student between classes skiing a zone they helped to open just a few days prior. These are the people who can stop and appreciate the moonrise while they're shoveling thousands of pounds of snow. To the right person, all the elements of snowmaking added together is exciting and fun.”
Behind every early-season turn is a team that’s been working long before the first flakes fall. Snowmaking may start in October, but its success is built on months of preparation, teamwork, and a passion for CBMR and its guests. Thanks to the efforts of David and his crew, the resort is able to deliver a consistent and high-quality experience, even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. As winter approaches, their work ensures that opening day isn’t just a possibility, but a promise.