Man-made snow is real snow (not "artificial") made by "guns" spraying atomized water particles under high pressure into the cold dry atmosphere, which freeze into snow particles before they hit the ground. The colder and drier the air, the more water can be put through the gun. No additive or chemical is put in the water. The only difference between natural and man-made snow is that the latter falls as small round pellets due to the air turbulence, while natural usually comes in the form of small to large flakes. However, in windy conditions even natural snow will be blown into small pellets or even marble-sized balls called "grapple". Natural snow can be very wet or dry, depending on its water content, the same as with man-made. After two or three days on the ski runs, natural snow becomes indistinguishable from man-made as both are subject to skier traffic, grooming, and the freeze/thaw cycle.

Buried Pipelines

Many miles of buried steel air and water pipe lines, from 2 inches to 2 feet in diameter, deliver the high pressure water and air throughout the mountain. Attached to the main lines are hydrants placed on the sides of runs, every 50 to 150 feet or so. Each resort has about 500 hydrants lining its runs. The "air" guns are attached to the hydrants by air and water hoses and the "fan" guns by water hoses and electrical lines. The guns are placed exactly where the snow is to be made and when enough snow is made at one location, they are moved to another.