Why do they use salt?

[dyyylan]

I saw a video of Hood explaining how they use so many bags of salt all summer long. I was just wondering what the point is, I've always thought that you used salt to melt snow. Do they just sprinkle it over the top to make it more icy and reflect the heat, or something along those lines?

 

[270on420out]

It melts the snow, which then refreezes, causing an icier, faster surface.

 

[Mr.Bishop]

It melts the snow, which then refreezes, causing an icier, faster surface.

But only if the temperature is above freezing.

If its below freezing, you need to put water on it. Salt won't work.

 

[.otto.]

interesting, i never knew that

 

[Jibberino]

But only if the temperature is above freezing.

If its below freezing, you need to put water on it. Salt won't work.

Pretty much sums it up.

 

[errrka]

Check out this article from Ethan Stone, explains a lot, specific to Hood.

http://www.powder.com/stories/keepers-salt/

 

[TOAST.]

Urea also is used for this. I think it is nicer since because it seems to firm up the snow but you can still grip it.

 

[IKEA]

My old local hill are not allowed to use salt anymore. When the snow melted, the salt would mix up with the meltwater, and travel down to a lake. The saltwater would then mix up with the lake and cause lots of bad things to the fish and the animals close by. It is important to note consequences that may appear..

It really sucked tho, the season was really short.

 

[big.love]

http://www.timberlinelodge.com/ski-area/summer-snow/

At the bottom of the page there are a few paragraphs about timberlines salt use and its affect on the snow and environment.

 

[RubberSoul]

it's to keep those goddamn snails off the inrun!

 

[gabew34]

cause they are salty.

 

[theabortionator]

I've used both salt and urea different places. Shit works miracles. When you're trying to build or maintain your park in the spring and can be hopeless. The jumps are made of mashed potatos and just fall away as soon as people hit them. You throw some salt in the mix work quick to make sure everything is perfect (or do that first) and then BOOM magical frozen takeoff.

Yeah it's a little weird to hit and doesn't have that nice packed powder grip but riding shit without giant ruts is epic. You can always throw a thin layer of snow on top of it to give something to grip. Def a wonder fix for rail takeoffs. Once you get used to it it's not too bad on the jumps.

 

[TOAST.]

I've always wanted to salt a portion of an inrun and paint over it with speed boost arrows like this.

 

[theabortionator]

I've always wanted to salt a portion of an inrun and paint over it with speed boost arrows like this.

I think I love you

Seriously though, that's the greatest thing I've heard in a while.

 

[RubberSoul]

TOAST youre a fucking genius

 

[KyroChi]

I was told that the salt melts the slushy top layer off, leaving behind the colder, lower layers. But who can understand the gypsy magic of salting jumps.

 

[theabortionator]

I was told that the salt melts the slushy top layer off, leaving behind the colder, lower layers. But who can understand the gypsy magic of salting jumps.

It freezes the top