Most premium resorts in the world have already invested heavily in snow canons. Snow canons do indeed pump out artificial snow and help bolster levels on connecting runs as well as the main pistes. With or without climate change - their use helps extend the ski area and a resort's canon coverage should certainly form part of your criteria for choosing a ski resort this winter.
What is a Snow Canon?
In laymans terms - Snow Canons create snow by spraying water from a jet in freezing conditions - this water is pumped down from artificial reservoirs in the mountains which have been made specifically for snow production.
Denser, longer lasting snow!
Snow Canons sound like a lame attempt at re-creating the real thing, but it's all good news really. First of all - you will notice little difference in snow quality when skiing on piste and second - the snow they provide is denser than the real thing and therefore lasts longer too!
Resorts with good Canon cover
One of the many reasons to steer clear of the lesser known or Eastern Block resorts (e.g. Bulgaria) is their limited provision or non-provision of snow canons. Add to this their poor snowfall records and one really has to be sceptical of their future as suitable ski areas.
We would recommend that you try the more "premium" resorts only, and don't take a chance! Try reorts in teh French Alps, and those with the best records and highest % age of canons are Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Meribel, Les Gets. Afterall what could be worse that arriving in a resort littered with green patches and only half the area open because the lower connecting runs are closed?
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