General FAQs
How can I make more snow?
How much does snowmaking cost?
What temperature does it need to be to makes snow?
Does Water Temperature Matter?

MSX-250 Snowmakers

How much snow will I make?
Do I have to assemble the snowgun?
What else do I need to make snow?
What's the difference between internal and external mix snowmakers?
How is this snowgun different than the ones at the ski hill?

Built It Yourself Snowguns

How much snow will I make?
How much will it cost to build a snowgun?
How large of an air compressor do I need?
Do I need a pressure washer?
What tools do I need?

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General FAQs

How can I make more snow?
How much snow you make depends on the size of your pressure washer, your air compressor, as well as the temperature and the humidity. The more water you can put through your snowmaker, the more snow you can make. If you are using a t-gun to make snow, then you may only get an inch of snow in an hour, but if you had a small pressure washer in addition to your T-gun (aka a combo type snowgun) you could be making 4 or 5 inches each hour. As well you will make snow as temperatures drop, and as the humidity levels fall, because your snow will be drier (less dense) and so the same amount of water will take up more space when it freezes.

How much does snowmaking cost?
In brief we estimate running costs at about 68 cents per hour. You may have costs higher or lower than ours depending on your equipment and water usage. This works out to approximately 2.5 cents per cubic foot of snow made. To come up with this figure we are using a 2hp air compressor and a 1.3gpm pressure washer with power priced at 7cents per kilowatt hour, and water priced at $1.61 per cubic meter (roughly 264 gallons). Using a larger pressure washer, or air compressor will result in higher costs for both power and water. If you are using gas equipment your running costs will be significantly higher.

What temperature does it have to be to make snow?
To make snow it has to be at least 2C(36F) however that would be if there was a relative humidity of 0%. You can make snow anytime the temperature is less than -2C (29F), however the optimal temperature for home snowmaking will be between -5C and -8C depending on humidity levels.

Does Water Temperature Matter?
In a word, Yes. Water holds heat, and snowmaking is proecess by which we remove the heat from the water. The less heat that is in the water to begin with, the easier it is to make snow and the drier the snow will be. Ski resorts often will cool their water to about 1C or 32F, the absolute coldest it can be before it will freeze. Our home snowmakers are designed to work with warmer water temperatures that are found at home, and to make excellent snow even with water as warm as 14C or 60F.

MSX-250 Snowmakers

How much snow will I make?
The amount of snow which you will make depends on the size of your pressure washer. The snowguns which we offer convert between 1.3 and2.5 gallons of water per minute into snow, which will produce between 50 and 80 cubic feet of snow per hour (depending on the density of the snow produced). The amount of snow you make is directly related to the flow rate of your pressure washer, higher flow = more snow.

Do I have to assemble the snowgun?
There is no assembly required with the snowguns themselves. The legs on our stand are detachable, and take less than a minute to install without the use of any tools.

What else to I need to make snow?
To make snow you will require a small pressure washer with a flow rate of 1.3 - 2.5gpm at pressures 400psi and 3000psi. You will also require an air compressor capable of producing 4.5CFM @ 90psi, or 5.5CFM @40psi of compressed air.

What's the difference between internal and external mix snowmakers?
There is one main difference between these types of snowmakers; internal mix snowmakers have no risk of water backing into the air line, or the air backing into the water line. Either of these events could cause very costly damage to either your household plumbing, or to your air compressor, and both present a risk safety. That said, ski resorts use both methods, and we offer both varieties. As External Mix snowmakers don't have this risk associated with them, they can operate without as much supervision. With both varieties the amount of snow you make will depend on the flow rate of your pressure washer, so if you are looking to make more snow, get a larger pressure washer.

Built It Yourself Snowguns

How much snow will I make with your plans?
The amount of snow depends on many factors, especially which design you choose to build. With a household air compressor, and a regular water supply you can expect about 15 cubic feet of snow per hour over a large area. If you build a combo gun then you can expect to make 40 to 80 cubic feet of snow per hour. The larger the pressure washer you use the more snow you will be able to make.

How much will it cost to build the snowgun?
Depending on the plan you choose the cost can be as low as $20US for the least complex snowgun, however if you are looking to make a combo gun expect to spend about $150US without a stand, pressure washer, or air compressor.

How large of an air compressor do I need?
You will need a compressor which is capable of making 5.5CFM@40psi or 4.5CFM@90psi. Air compressors should be oil lubricated and belt driven to stand up to being run continuously.

Do I need a pressure washer?
No, a pressure washer is not neccessary to make snow, however if you choose to build the combogun you will need a pressure washer which has a flow between 1.3 and 2.5gpm.

What tools do I need to build the snowguns in the eGuides?
The only tools you will need are a pair of wrenches.

How is this snowgun different from the ones at the ski hill?
The snowguns which are included in these plans have been modified in a few different ways, the first being that they have been scaled down from what the ski areas use, because you house is probably smaller and most likely doesn't have thousands of gallons of water to use or industrial pumps.  The nozzles have been specially made for this application, and so they are designed to produce consistant droplets at high pressures, which will result in excellent snow quality.  Finally, these snowguns have been simplified, so that they are affordable for you to build and run, there is no need to spend more than the cost of a small car on commercial snowmaking equipment if you want a backyard ski hill or terrain park.

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