Real snow provides a more authentic experience for skiers and has minimal differences from man-made snow. Natural snow forms from microscopic ice crystals within the clouds. Man-made snow is composed of multiple ice droplets that lack a defined shape and is differentiable in texture from that of natural snow. When snow machines are turned on, the moisture from the air is combined with the snow being made, resulting in the snow containing more moisture than real snow. As temperatures drop towards freezing, the moisture content increases, making the snow increase in density. The higher water content means the snow will be densely packed, resulting in a higher probability …show more content…
True snow occurs naturally and does not require huge amounts of water. Most snow machines use about 75,000 gallons of water a day in order to produce a six-inch sheet of snow over a given area. For insight, western ski resorts experience ten to twelve inches of snow weekly during the winter season. Most ski slopes obtain water through reservoirs, which can be reused over time when the snow melts. Eventually, the surrounding environment becomes eroded. Moving this water around can have negative effects on plant and animal life. Consequently to using fake snow, ski resorts must work very hard to keep the water level balanced between runoff and