Making Snow

            Here I sit, icing my still-stinging cheek with ice from my freezer. Sure would have been nice to simply grab some snow from outside to do so, but then if there were snow, I wouldn’t have received a hard slap to begin with. (Thanks, Weather!) Anyway, I’ve decided to take a page out of the snow resorts’ books and start making my own snow so this winter isn’t a total bust. After a little research I think I’ll soon be able to create a few feet of snow in as little as a week. Join me in the following paragraphs to find out how you, too, can enjoy your own yard of fluffy white stuff without the help of a natural blizzard.

            At first I thought that the act of making snow was obvious: a daddy snowflake gets with a mommy snowflake…and they decide to throw a party and all their friends show up. Apparently, though, snowflakes don’t throw parties, besides the fact that scientists have never been able to determine whether or not snowflakes even have specific genders. The actual process is much more straightforward than that. Essentially all you need are cold temperatures, low humidity, and a snowmaker.

            Interestingly enough, there are indeed personal snowmakers for use in your own yard. You can build your own snowmaker, or you can purchase a pre-made one from a company that manufactures them. If you own a pressure washer, you’re already halfway there. Snowmaking depends on creating small globules of water that freeze easily because of their size. The smaller the droplets, the quicker they freeze. A pressure washer is perfect for spraying small bits of water out at a high rate of speed. Sorry, but placing your thumb over the garden hose won’t produce the fine mist needed to make good snow. All you’ll do is create a thick sheet of ice wherever you aim the hose, which is great if you’re looking to open an ice rink in your backyard.

            It’s probably easiest to make snow at night, when the sun isn’t attempting to melt everything. Temperatures in Utah haven’t been the most conducive to snowmaking lately, even at night, but it’s enough to make a sort of wet slush. As temperatures plummet, which they typically do in January, it will be possible to create a powdery snow that is beautiful and great for sledding. And snow angels. Have you ever tried to make a snow angel in wet snow in your pajamas? If so, did your friends lock you out of the house while you were doing so? I wouldn’t recommend it. On the other hand, snow angels in soft, dry powder are heavenly and come highly recommended.  

            Winter is depressing enough without the fun-factor of snow, but you mustn’t stand idly by waiting for the weather to do its part (I can tell you from experience it doesn’t care about what us humans want). If you feel like purchasing or building your own snowmaker, the Internet has everything you need at your fingertips: manufacturers, plans, temperature and humidity forecasts, and hints for best snowmaking. Check it out and help make winter a success this year!