Moving the snow
5 After the curing process, the snow pile is ready for grooming. Using a special plow, the snow is smoothed out onto the skiing surface. While it is being moved, it is sent through a tilling device. This fluffs up the snow, making it more skiable.
Quality Control
Producing artificial snow that is as good as or better than natural snow requires significant quality control measures. Prior to production, the nucleating material is checked to ensure that it meets the appropriate specifications. While the snow is being made, it is analyzed for crystal quality, appearance, and wetness. The air/water ratio may be adjusted to improve the quality of the snow. If the snow is of the highest quality, it will last longer, hold its shape better, and be easier to groom.
The Future
The shortcomings of the current artificial snow-making technology suggest possible improvements in the future. Currently, the noise generated by these machines is a problem. While attempts have been made to reduce the sound, future machines will be even quieter. Another limitation of the snow-making machines is their narrow temperature range of operation. New machines may be able to produce snow at temperatures over 28° F (-2.2° C). These machines may also produce higher quality snow in less time.