Snow farming is a tough industry that in most years causes more nail biting than others. With few exceptions, the Sun Valley area waits every year to see if Mother Nature will bestow bountiful blessings of frozen water or withhold them like a fickle friend.

Fortunately, the largesse of Sun Valley Resort long ago made snow on Bald Mountain more predictable by installing one of the largest snowmaking operations in the world. With every new run, the resort expands the system. Even without large quantities of natural snow, Baldy is enjoyably skiable and comfortable every winter. The resort is doing a terrific job.

Engineers who design snowmaking systems know that all snow is not the same. Its crystal structure changes as it forms within clouds and changes again as it floats to the earth below.