Representative noise levels of snow making, slope grooming, and other ski area equipment

Abstract

In the process of producing the environmental noise assessment for a major expansion of the Mt. Wachusett (MA) ski area, noise data for ski area equipment were collected. Modern ski areas are highly mechanized. Snow making equipment includes large air compressors and snow guns or other air/water dispersal devices. Slopes and trails are groomed by special tractors towing various rollers, plows, scrapers, etc. to provide well‐packed mogul‐free surfaces. Much of the snow making and grooming activities take place at night. By day snowmobiles are used to transport the ski patrol to serious accidents and mechanics to repair stalled lifts. Construction of new ski trails requires additional, typically loud equipment such as chain saws, log skidders, wood chippers, bulldozers, etc. In the rural environment of ski areas these activities can exceed ambient noise at considerable distances. Furthermore, the trend to overnight accommodations for skiers directly on ski hills requires consideration of such equipment noise.