AGENDA DOCUMENTATION
PREPARATION DATE: June 12, 2014
MEETING DATE: June 16, 2104
SUBMITTING AGENCY: Energy Conservation Works
PRESENTER: Phillip Cameron & Carrie Boynton
SUBJECT: Retrofit Snow King Mountain’s metal halide night lighting system
STATEMENT/PURPOSE
The Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club requests the financial support of the Energy Conservation Works to
install the “Snow Bright” magnetic induction lighting system, designed by Ultra-Tech Lighting on Snow King
Mountain. The system is at least 40% more energy efficient, produces 60% less light pollution for surrounding
residents, substantially reduces the detrimental effects night lights have on wildlife, and dramatically increases
the safety and training experience for all evening users.
BACKGROUND/ALTERNATIVES
During the winter months, Snow King Mountain is a heavily used recreation area. Over the course of a winter,
thousands of users including the High School Ski Team athletes, Ski Club racers, free skiers and snowboarders
as wells as local and visiting adults and children enjoy the mountain after school and work. Evenings are also
filled with popular community events including the Margarita Cup and Wednesday Night Lights Rail Jam
Series which draw nearly 300 competitors.
The existing metal halide lighting system on Snow King Mountain has allowed for night skiing, snowboarding
and skinning in the heart of Jackson for more than twenty years. As a result of too few lights and short lumen
life of halide lights (30% lumens loss within the first 100 hours) users experience alternating light and dark
snow surface, which negatively impacts on-hill safety, training and competitions.
New environmentally friendly technology has been designed specifically to enhance and improve night use of
winter sports venues. The new systems evenly illuminate the snow surface and provide users with a high
quality, safe experience while reducing energy consumption, wildlife disturbance and light pollution.
This highly visible project supports the Town Council’s strategic intents – “Environmental Stewardship”, the
Town of Jackson’s new 40 x 20 Energy Efficiency goals and the Energy Conservation Works’ Mission/Purpose
to provide leadership, implementation and education to energy conservation, energy sustainability, and energy
efficiency.
Below please find the projected energy use comparison between Snow King Mountain’s current metal halide
lighting system and the proposed Snow Bright magnetic induction lighting system. The proposed system
includes ten additional lamp locations accessed by the Cougar chair lift. Even with the additional locations, the
system will reduce energy use by more than 40%.
Lighting System: The Snow Bright system’s magnetic induction lights will use at least 40% less power than
the system currently in use even with the addition of new lights. Snow Bright lights are 100% recyclable. This
is because the MIL bulbs do not use dispersed mercury, instead they use a solid mercury amalgam “slug” which
can be recycled. The glass and metal component are recyclable as well. The new bulbs have a 100,000 hour life
cycle rating. As the system will only be used during the winter in four hour blocks, the theoretical lamp life
could last over 50 years. This reduces the need for annual bulb changing and greatly reduces waste. This is in
stark contrast to the current halide system which lighting experts for ski hills recommend be replaced on a
yearly basis to keep the mountain adequately lit.
Wildlife: During the long, cold winter of Teton County animals are under a great deal of stress. Snow King
Mountain, located primarily on National Forest and near water sources, is frequented by many animals
including deer, weasels, moose, owls and foxes. In contrast to the current lighting system, the Snow Bright
system uses an “animal friendly spectral output” that wildlife see as similar to the light of a full moon on a clear
evening. As a result the animals are not disturbed by the lights, even in a direct beam. In addition, the lighting
system produces no hum or sound pollution of any kind.
Light Pollution: The system allows for lower light intensity without sacrificing human visual perception. The
diffuse, soft light reduces reflection and wasted light while maximizing the light needed by skiers and riders.
The output system allows light to be directed at the snow at such an angle that is transmitted laterally. This
technology replaces intense blotches of light with uniform slope illumination. As a result, glare is reduced for
the neighboring community and the visual experience for users is enhanced.
Safety & Health: Snow Bright technology takes a unique and new approach by concentrating light within the
visually effective range of the human eye while emphasizing spectral frequencies that most effectively reflect
off the crystal construct of snow. Spread across 85 light towers with more than 375 full-color spectrum lights,
the system employs a comprehensive line of magnetic induction lighting specifically tailored to address the
complexities and unique requirements of illuminating snow in all its varieties while minimizing glare and
reflected light. This maximizes contrast in the snow surface thus revealing features like ruts, bump and changes
in contour thereby increasing safety for users.
This project also addresses mountain safety pertaining to ski patrol, who presently switch each light on/off. The
new technology uses timers and light sensors to activate/deactivate the lighting system. This will allow the
evening sweep of ski patrol to focus completely on getting skiers and riders off the mountain safely. Finally,
outdoor evening recreation during the winter months promotes an active healthy lifestyle while deepening the
connection residents and visitors have with the mountains.
This project benefits the Jackson community in the following ways:
1. Conservation – improved energy efficiency;
2. Reduced light pollution;
3. Safer training and night skiing venue.
Conservation: As a community Jackson is seeking ways to be sustainable and reduce our environmental
impact. The Snow Bright system is in line with this objective as the system reduces energy use and waste as
described above.
Light Pollution: Reducing light pollution benefits neighbors to Snow King Mountain as well as wildlife.
This attribute was the selling point that allowed Steamboat Mountain, which has residential units immediately
adjacent to the ski hill, to install a new $1.2 million dollar lighting system. With much fanfare night skiing
opened on December 20, 2013, an article about this success story is included in this packet.
Increased Safety: The current lighting system alternates between very bright and very dark. The new system
replicates moonlight and will provide even, consistent lighting. The system also illuminates ruts in the snow
surface making night skiing much safer. This retrofit will directly benefit the skiers who comprise the 38,000
user days/year. Of the 2,000 pass holders, 200 consistently train under the lights after school. An additional
250 master racers and 100 Free ride skiers and snowboarders use the mountain for evening races and
competition. Additionally, the Ski Patrol will not have to turn each light off individually. This will allow the
Patrollers to remain focused on getting all users safely off the mountain.
ALIGNMENT WITH JHESP MISSION, TOWN STRATEGIC GOALS & COMP PLAN:
We believe the installation of this new lighting project directly helps to achieve these stated objectives:
 Town Council’s strategic intents – “Environmental Stewardship”,
 Town of Jackson’s new 40 x 20 Energy Efficiency goals,
 ECW Mission/Purpose to provide LEADERSHIP, IMPLEMENTATION, and EDUCATION specific to
energy conservation, energy sustainability, and energy efficiency and
(see attached watts-light summary)
FISCAL IMPACT
(see attached Project Budget)
STAFF IMPACT
Staff impacts include: time to prepare bidding documents, legal review & approval, advertisement, select and
award contract for services and project management.
LEGAL REVIEW
Legal review & approval shall be required prior to advertising for bids.
RECOMMENDATION
Energy Conservation Works’ Board JPB recommendation: Approve grant funding for $200,157.00 for the
installation of 122 Snow Bright magnetic induction lights under the condition that the lighting lease agreement
includes a portion of energy savings to be returned to Jackson Hole Ski Club.
SUGGESTED MOTION
I m ove t o a pprove grant funding for $200,157.00 for the installation of 122 Snow Bright magnetic induction
lights under the condition that the lease agreement includes a portion of energy savings to be returned to Jackson
Hole Ski Club.
Current
Expand - Metal
Locations
Cougar
1000w (2)
1000w
1000w , 400w
400 w
Raffery
1000w (2)
1000w
400 w
400w (2)
Total
kWH
Lamps
18
8
5
1
Wattage
36
8
10
1
2
6
7
4
51
36,000
8,000
7,000
400
4
6
7
8
80
4,000
6,000
2,800
3,200
67,400
25,612
Retrofit
Locations
Cougar
1000w (2)
1000w
1000w , 400w
400 w
1000w (2)
Raffery
1000w (2)
1000w
400 w
400w (2)
Total
kWH
18
8
5
1
10
2
6
7
4
61
Lamps
36
8
10
1
20
4
6
7
8
100
Wattage
36,000
8,000
7,000
400
20,000
Cougar
300w (3)
300w (2)
300w (2)
300 w
400w
4,000
6,000
2,800
3,200
87,400
33,212
Raffery
300w (2)
300w (2)
300w
300w (2)
Total
kWH
Energy Consumption Summary
Current System
Hours Annual Use
Retrofit
Enengy Saving
Net Savings
25,612
380
14,288
44%
11,324
kWh
Hours
kWh
kWh
Expanded Use With November Camps
Hourly Use
MHL Expanded
Retrofit
Energy Saving
Net Saving
480
41,952
18,048
57%
23,904
hours
kWh
kWh
kWh
Expanded MHL
Hours Annual Use
Retrofit
Enengy Saving
Net Savings
33,212
380
14,288
57%
18,924
Locations
kWh
Hours
kWh
kWh
Lamps Wattage
18
8
5
1
10
54
16
10
1
10
16,200
4,800
3,000
300
4,000
2
6
7
4
61
4
12
7
8
122
1,200
3,600
2,100
2,400
37,600
14,288
Jackson Hole Ski Snowboard Club Project Budget: Replace Metal Halide Lights
with Environmentally Friendly Magnetic Induction Lights
TASK
APPLICANT
Task 1 - Develop Replacment Lighting Design
1.1 Manufacturer to complete photmoetric study*
1.2 Hire electrical engineer to evaluate as-builts and complete
re-design
1.3 Engineer to complete all permit requirements
$
15,000
$
2,500
Total Design & Engineering Costs $
Task 2 - Purchase Lights & Mounting Hardware
2.1 Lights
112-300 Watt ($670 each)
10-400 Watt ($1090 each)
2.2 Mounting Hardware
Pole mounts - (60) $59.95 each
Lift mounts - (8) $59.95 each
Task 3 - Installation of New Poles
3.1 Purchase 10 new poles $750 each
3.2 Install new poles $550 each
$
85,940 $
$
$
2,038 $
240 $
2,038 $
240 $
4,076
480
$
2,278 $
2,278
$
4,556
$
2,750 $
$
2,750 $
5,500
$
2,750 $
2,750
$
5,500
$
56,150 $
32,000 $
88,150
$
23,625 $
23,625 $
47,250
$
5,414 $
4,500 $
9,914
$
85,189 $
Miscellaneous
padding for each of the new poles at $100/pad
shipping
contingency (10% materials + labor)
$
Total Miscellaneous $
$
$
15,000 $
15,000 $
TOTAL LIGHTING PROJECT COSTS
32,500 $
*Photometric cost will be a credit against purchase of Snow Bright lights
2,500
2,000
75,040
10,900
In Kind Project
Management
$
$
$
$
$
remove
Total Electrical Cost
15,000
2,000
In Kind Project
Management
Task 4 - Electrical - Labor & Parts
4.1 Remove existing metal hallide lamps. Change voltage from
470 Volts to 277 Volts by adding a step-down transformer.
Wire for Snow Bright - two lamps to three lamps (41) $2150
each
4.2 Wire for Snow Bright one lamp to two lamps (27) at $1750
each
4.3 Add phot sensor to enable auto=switching (68)
4.4 Install 3 surge protectors at transformers $3000 each
$
17,500 $
Donated
Total Cost for Poles & Installing
TOTAL
2,000
In Kind Project
Management
Total Cost Mount Hardware
PARTNERS
$
In Kind Project
Management
Total Cost Light Fixtures
ECW
$0
$
$
-
60,125
1,000
6,000
15,000
22,000
200,157 $
$ 19,500
75,040
10,900
$ 85,940
$ 145,314
$
1,000
$
6,000
$ 30,000
$ 37,000
65,153
$ 297,810
o iXI
0
Jackson Hole Ski 8c.
Snowboard Club
EXISTING
HALIDE LIGHTS
lVI Lower Valley
IAI Transformers
• =400watt
D=1000watt
Jackson Hole Ski & lXI
Valley
Snowboard Club lower
Transformers
MAGNETIC INDUCTION LIGHTING
D = 300watt
•=400 watt/new locations
Current lighting on Snow King Mountain.
Newly installed system in Steamboat Colorado with condominiums in the background; It demonstrates the lack of light pollution from the slopes to the buildings.
Illustrates the high quality visual experience for skier and snowboarder with limited light pollution for neighboring condominiums.
Shows the difference between metal halide and sodium versus Snow-Bright™. Snow-Bright is in the foreground where the snow details are clear and crisp. Metal
halide is on the right and has a sharp beam that flattens the snow. Sodium is on the left and also flattens the snow.
January 9, 2014
PO Box 566 • Closter, NJ 07624
(201) 784-1233
Mrs. Kimberly Kernan
Snow King
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Dear Mrs. Kernan ,
Subject: Lighting Proposal for Snow King
Ultra-Tech lighting (UTL) is pleased to submit to Snow King the lighting proposal to replace the
1OOOw MH lighting infrastructure.
UTL is proposing using the Snow Bright™ SNBT-FL-300WB2 6500K lamps with slip fit
mounting instead of the lOOOw and 280w MH HID lamps. The replacement schedule outlined
below is based on the count sent ·n your email dated Jan 8, 2014.
Area
Locations
Existing
Cougar
19 - 2lamps
Cougar
Cougar - New
In fill
14 -1lamp
10 locations
1000w
280w
1000x
Rafferty
7 - 2lamps
Rafferty
Rafferty - New
In fill
13 -1lamp
Sloca tions
Total Lamps
Snow Bright
Snow Bright
300w
38
400W
4
10
20
1000w
280w
1000w
14
26
10
112
10
The cost of the lamps is $85,940.00. Shipping at $60/light will be $7,320.00. If slip fitters are
required the mounting option is an additional $59.95/each.
Regards,
Po/
Ultra Tech Lighting, LLC
Managing Director
Environmental Impact Upon Wildlife
CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY
This document contains confidential and proprietary informaticn ce!2:arding the
spectral tuning of Snow-Bright™ lighting technology. It is not intended for
general distribution. Materials contained in this document are solely for the
purpose of evaluating Snow-Bright™ technology as it may impact nocturnal
wildlife. This document is subject to updates and changes as new information
and research becomes available.
OverviewThe most paramount design criteria for Ultra-Tech™ Lighting, LLC are environmental impacts.
Along these lines, every major issue is carefully measured and addressed to provide the ultimate
environmentally friendly lighting solutions for specific applications. Objectives include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Energy conservation
Reduced carbon footprint
Non-toxic and environmentally safe components
Minimal light pollution
Animal friendly spectral output
Low heat profile
Silent operation
Instant on/off (no warm-up or cool-down)
No flicker or harmonics
Feature-friendly aesthetics
Since most ski areas are located in and around forest and park areas, particular attention was
given to the spectral output of Snow-Bright™ lighting. Extensive research was conducted to
determine what aspects oflighting intensity, color temperature, and spectral output might affect
wildlife. Even the influence of sound that might be generated by the drivers (ballasts) was taken
into consideration. Research was compiled into various design characteristics to strike a balance
between lighting objectives and effectiveness and environmental impacts.
1
Vision Characteristics of Nocturnal Wildlife A wide range of wildlife considerations exist when designing lighting for snow recreation areas.
Nocturnal wildlife includes mammals and birds. Although there are nocturnal reptiles, they
generally do not make their habitat mountains and snowy regions. Exceptions include the Tiger
Salamander (Ambystoma Tigrinum), Boreal Toad (Bufo Boreas), Boreal Chorus Frog
(Pseudacris Maculata), Wood Frog (Rana Slyvatica), Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
(Thamnophis Elegans) and the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra Serpentina). Since nocturnal reptiles
generally avoid artificially lit areas, Snow-Bright™ lighting has negligible impact upon these
species.
Common to most nocturnal mammals are retinas dominated by rod
photoreceptor cells which detect shape and light intensity, but do not
resolve color. Rod dominance is better in low light and is a feature
shared by canines (dogs) and felines (cats). Many nocturnal animals
have a reflective layer behind the retina called the taptum lucidum that
acts to reflect light back onto the retina to intensify image resolution in
low light. This exists among foxes, bobcats, cougars, wolves, deer and
moose. This layer makes eyes appear to glow in the dark.
Bears are not specifically nocturnal; however, they have active lives during the day and night.
Bears have keen night vision, but share similar retinal characteristics
with humans. Bears have both rods and cones and can resolve color
in the human visual range from approximately 480nm to 720nm.
- 1.--_ _
The expression, "Sees like a bear," is attributed to the sharp eyesight
believed to be inherent in the American Black Bear.
o
I
•
1
'
o
I I "
'
..
I '"
-
Owls make up the majority of nocturnal birds and hav e very unique
vision. The owl's eyes are fixed forward in the head and are also
rod dominant. The eyes are exceptionally large relative to the brain and
capable of processing motion, and shadows. Owls do not resolve color
well. They have extraordinary peripheral vision, but must move their
heads to change their field of view. Most owls are disturbed by intense
singular light sources. They are amenable to full moonlight.
Snow-Bright™ Interaction All nocturnal wildlife can be disturbed by artificial light at night. Bright light can be a
distraction and may disrupt natural circadian rhythms. The first objective in designing night
lighting for areas within wildlife habitats is to balance intensity and utility. This means
producing the minimal amount of light necessary to accomplish the necessary illumination.
Snow-Bright™ technology takes a unique and new approach by concentrating light within the
visually effective range of the human eye while emphasizing spectral frequencies that most
effectively reflect off the crystal construct of snow.
Crystals have the capacity to slow down and refract light. The
"brilliant" characteristics of a diamond are attributed to the internal
refraction within the gem. Water crystals have similar properties. By
2
focusing the specialized Snow-Bright™ spectral output at the proper angle to the snow surface,
the technology actually transmits light laterally much the same way as a fiber optic cable, but
with refractory release along the way. This carefully designed feature reduces glare from the
snow and creates an exceptional glowing effect that enhances visual acuity from the snow
surface.
Wildlife presumably sees Snow-Bright™ as a modestly higher intensity than full moonlight on a
clear evening. In sharp contrast to conventional lighting that uses high
pressure sodium or metal halide bulbs, Snow-Bright™ fixtures can be
directly viewed without significant discomfort. This is impossible with
other modem lighting technologies like light emitting diodes (LEDs) or
light emitting plasma (LEP) which will actually damage the retina if
directly viewed.
Concerns that Snow-Bright™ lighting might attract wildlife because it does not produce the
same "fear factor" as more intense conventional lighting are unfounded. Although animals and
birds are less disturbed by gentle Snow-Bright™ lighting, they are sufficiently apprehensive
about entering a lighted and active area to keep a safe distance. The important element is to
prevent light over stimulation and avoid intensity that could be damaging to wildlife vision.
Further, Snow-Bright™ fixtures are full cut-off which means they do not bleed or spread light
beyond their intended focus area.
Specifically, the lower intensity of Snow-Bright™ lighting interacts in a far more healthful
manner for animals with tapetum lucidium; the reflective membrane behind the retina. Since the
purpose of this membrane is to reflect light back within the eye, the lower the lumen intensity,
the less disturbing and damaging the light will be. Encounters with animals like the red fox,
deer, and moose prove the point. In the case of the red fox, conventional lighting can attract, and
then stun. This is demonstrated by a simple experiment where the light is directed at 90 degrees
to the fox's path and then turned to face the animal. Snow-Bright™ lights do not have the same
effect. The fox is undisturbed by the light intensity even when directly focused.
Intense light has a similar impact upon moose and caribou. The tendency is
to attract first and then stun; hence, the expression, "A deer in the
headlights." Typically, a l,OOOW metal halide or 1,200W high pressure
sodium light will be replaced with a 300W or 400W Snow-Bright™ fixture.
The direct intensity may be reduced by as much as 60%, however, the
"visually effective lumens" that can be detected by the human eye can be the
same or greater. This is a major Snow-Bright™ difference. Skiers, snowboarders, and tubers
can use the light most effectively while rod dominant species are minimally influenced.
Equally important, conventional lighting is characterized by a small concentrated light source
(the bulb) that is dispersed from a mirrored reflector. This concentration is
what tends to be damaging to the eye and most
disturbing to animals that may become fixated by
such intense light. In contrast, Snow-Bright™ light
is produced by elongated circular or rectangular
tubes that cover a wide area. For example, the
diameter of a 300W Snow-Bright™ round magnetic induction bulb is
20 inches. The highly specialized dual-stage reflector uses a nano-
3
material that is exactly matched to the spectral output of the bulb and produces high dispersion
and diffusion. This softens the appearance of the lamp for direct viewing and tends to be
innocuous to nocturnal wildlife while, at the same time, producing the maximum visual
experience for skiers and riders.
LEDs have become very popular, but are not appropriate for lighting snow. LEDs tend to have a
high blue and UV bias that can be dangerous for humans and many animals. The
LED spectrum is generally concentrated in the lower region with insufficient
light within the most visually acute areas for human vision. Even filtered LEDs
are usually deficient in the transition into green and yellow which are the most
reactive wavelengths for the human eye. The effect is called
"Green Droop," and is inherent in all III-N LEDs. Although highly efficient, LED light for ski
areas tends to be overly intense to compensate for a deficient spectral output.
Snow-Bright™ employs a full spectrum light with a color temperature of 6,500K. This is similar
to overcast daylight. Certain proprietary tuning is used to create maximum contrast that brings
out features like bumps, indentations, slope, distance, and contours. The specialized properties
of spectral output, diffusion, focus, and luminance allow photometric designers to lower lighting
intensity without sacrificing human visual perception. The principle when accommodating
nocturnal wildlife is, "Less is morel" By way of example, a Snow-Bright™ 120W rectangular
flood can replace a 400W high pressure sodium rectangular flood with less glare and more visual
perception, saving more than 70% of the energy with an associated reduction in carbon footprint.
Sound emissions are also an important consideration. Many ballasts for conventional lighting
produce a low pitch hum and/or high frequency noise. Of concern is sound pollution in the range
of20,000 to 120,000 hertz which is the frequency range used by bats. Snow-Bright™ drivers
(ballasts) operate in excess of 150,000 cycles and are free from high levels of noise. The bulbs
have no filaments or electrodes and are absolutely silent. High frequency sound can be
disturbing to many canine species as well.
Conclusion Ultra-Tech™ Lighting has created highly specialized lighting with particular wildlife in mind.
Port-Bright™ models are used to light ports, harbors, and waterways because they eliminate
portions of the visual spectrum for sea turtles. Magnetic induction lights (MIL) can be designed
to output any light frequencies at various intensities. In all instances where outdoor lighting is
the objective, animal-friendly and neighbor-friendly design is a paramount consideration. For
indoor lighting, Ultra-Tech™ Lighting has created fixtures that produce the Health-Bright™ full
spectrum that has been associated with up 20% greater productivity among office and factory
workers as well as students.
All artificial night lighting may influence nocturnal wildlife. The Snow-Bright™ design team
provides the least obtrusive and most effective lighting for a very specific application... lighting
snow surfaces. The highly reflective crystal white surface of snow presents particular challenges
that are only addressed by Snow-Bright™ technology. Even the silence of Snow-Bright™
drivers (ballasts) was an important consideration for the welfare of bats that do not rely upon
vision, but can be confused by high frequency hum and noise.
For more information call:
(201) 784-1233
4
ULL1'.dPresents
The Science of Lighting Snow
Using
If you run a ski resort or winter recreation area you're in the business of selling snow. Snow is
your number one product, and our goal is to present your product in the best light... literally.
That's why illtra-Tech™ Lighting has developed a comprehensive line of magnetic induction
lighting (MIL) specifically designed to address the complexities and unique requirements of
iiiuminating snow in all its varieties.
No other lighting company has spent as much time or resources perfecting the science of
lighting snow™. Until now, snow resort operators have had to use generalized industrial
lighting like high intensity discharge (HID) or high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps for night
skiing, tubing parks, cross country ski areas, parking lots, snow mobile tracks, and facility
lighting. Unfortunately, none of these lamps is specifically designed to provide the appropriate
spectrum and intensity required for proper snow illumination. From your own experience, you
know that HPS lighting has a monochromatic orange hue that makes color rendition virtually
impossible and does not provide adequate shadow resolution. Black ice becomes even more
invisible under HPS and HID lamps. By the same measure, the blue bias of HID and LED lamps
tends to make all surfaces appear flat. This disguises contours, making night skiing more
difficult and subliminally stressful. Snow-Bright™ lighting solves these problems with unique
wmanti(tlll spectral tuning while using up to 60% less power.
What's So Specia!About Snow?
As a snow professional, you know there is no such thing as generic snow. The physics and
chemistry of frozen water are very complex and fascinating. Photo-reflective properties vary
depending upon formation temperature, humidity, and even sunlight exposure. Manmade snow
is sensitive to pressure, droplet formation and size, blow angle, latent freeze time, additives, and
grooming. Natural snow ranges from "Champagne powder'' and dust, to "Sierra cement" and
slush. There is everything in between.
Moisture content impacts consistency and reflective properties. High moisture correlates with
high freezing temperatures. Of course, moisture is the component of all snow, however high and
low moisture is associated with density. A cubic yard of powder snow formed below 0°F can
weigh 30 times less than snow formed at or near freezing. Powder exhibits different "settling
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-Tech™ Lighting
All rights reserved.
1
patterns" that will form different reflective surfaces. Mixed snow on a bump run will shadow
troughs in accordance with opposing faces such as ice, hard pack, and powder.
Believe it or not, snow's light absorption and reflectivity is highly variable based upon its
specific properties and how it was formed. For example, natural snow that is formed within
three degrees of freezing becomes ''blue hue." You have probably noticed how this snow
actually appears sky blue. When blue hue is illuminated with blue bias lamps like HID or light
etrultt111t2 diode
the low end of the
becomes dominant.
-20° - 0°
-20° - 32°
Low Moisture
29°- 32°
20° - 25°
High Moisture
The result is a flattening effect that prevents the eye from resolving contours. Bumps, troughs,
and texture blend together. Thus, the snow may appear to be well lighted, but the human eye is
unable to actually see the snow's features.
As the graph illustrates, snow's photo-reflective properties carry along the full visible spectrum.
Visible light falls within 400 nanometers and 780 nanometers which is actually a very small
portion of the electromagnetic scale. Approximately 50% of sunlight is visible at sea level.
When illuminating snow, the objective is to create the greatest intensity within the visually
perceivable range (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red). This is referred to as
"visually effective lumens (VEL)." Given snow's unique reflective properties and the enormous
variability of terrain, the science of maximizing visual acuity requires a delicate balance of
spectrum, intensity, and lighting angle.
What You Can't See Can Hurt You!
Noise canceling headphones have become a popular electronic accessory. Using complementary
or interfering wavelengths, it is possible to eliminate sounds within a targeted range. Noise
canceling headphones can provide total silence on a jet liner or accentuate the sounds of a
concert hall. The same principles apply to light. This is why proper light selection and
placement is so important when illuminating snow. Many ski resort operators have experienced
''black out" troughs; a confounding blank area on a seemingly well lit slope. Often, the problem
stems from combining incompatible lighting such as orange hue HPS and blue hue HID within
the same area, or mixing intensities such as 1,OOOW and 1,500W HID of different color or
"Kelvin."
If the crest of one wave meets the valley of another, they cancel
each other out. When two light waves cancel each other, the result
is darkness called "destructive interference." If the crests of two or
more waves are in phase, or almost in phase, they can combine
into a larger or more intense effect. This is called "constructive
interference."
Snow-Bright™ lighting is specifically designed to create
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-Tech TM Lighting
All rights reserved.
2
maximum constructive interference from the original source and, equally important, from the
reflection off the snow. Understand that white light is made up of all colors and all wavelengths.
If one of these colors is subtracted from white light (by interference, for instance) we see the
complementary color. For example, if blue light is subtracted from white light, we see yellow.
As light bounces off convex and concave snow surfaces, its wavelength can be slightly altered.
Depending upon the snow's consistency and surface, light harmonics can develop. Mixed or
inconsistent lighting can increase negative harmonics, making it difficult to resolve the snow's
surface and texture. This is why the "full spectrum" produced by Ultra-Tech lamps is so
effective. Ultra-tech lighting can provide significantly more visually effective lumens using 60%
less power.
When rays recombine they can get "out of phase" and interfere with each other. Given particular
snow properties, a certain wavelength will be cancelled and its complementary color will be
seen. Long wavelengths (red) are generated from low moisture, fine, ungroomed snow. When
red is cancelled, it leaves a blue-green reflection. As snow becomes denser, yellow is cancelled
out, leaving blue; then green is cancelled, leaving magenta; and finally blue is cancelled, leaving
yellow. Sometimes lighting is so inconsistent relative to the illuminated surface that cancellation
occurs for all wavelengths and the slope appears dark against a gray background. These are
frequently referred to as lighting voids. Surprisingly, voids are not always corrected by adding
more light. In fact, many facilities managers have been shocked to find that more lighting
increases voids.
This surprising complete cancellation is due to the different way light reflects from variable
surfaces. When light reflects from the outside surface of a contour (an air-to-water surface) the
direction of vibration of the wave is reversed; i.e. all "up" vibrations are turned into "down"
vibrations and vice versa. This phenomenon is frequently seen on freshly groomed corduroy
where the grooves appear unusually dark despite being relatively shallow and well illuminated.
As the slope is skied, it miraculously appears to get brighter and brighter.
The Ultra-Tech™ Snow-Bright™ Difference!
Snow-Bright™ lamps start with a "full spectrum" light using
wrnEntEcan phosphorous coatings that recreate visually
effective lumens in the same proportions as sunlight. Using
the correct geometry, reflectors, and lenses, you can achieve
optimal lighting with significant economies of scale. For
example, two 300W Snow-Bright™ slope fixtures can
produce 20% to 40% more visually effective lumens than a
1,OOOW HID lamp, saving 40% in electricity. With the right
strategic lighting plan, you can reduce the electric load by up
to 60% or even 80%.
\ .
·
Snow-Bright™ fixtures are "cool" lamps that are less affected by temperature. By comparison,
metal halide (MH) and HPS lighting is very hot and can lose 20% or more in luminosity in
temperatures lower than freezing (32°F/0°C). On extremely cold nights, up to 40% of the light
output ofMH and HPS can be lost. Snow-Bright™ fixtures have an operating range from -40°F
to l20°F with little impact upon light output.
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-Tech"" Lighting
All rights reserved.
3
Rated at 6,500K, Snow-Bright™ gives you an exceptionally white light with color rendering
index (CRI) exceeding .85. The high scotopic/photopic (SIP) ratio improves visual acuity and
color rendition, reducing eye fatigue while improving perception.
Equally important, Snow-Bright™ bulbs do not use electrodes. Instead, a magnet stimulates the
high energy circulation of electrons to produce light. This gives Snow-Bright fixtures an
extraordinary 100,000 hour life-cycle rating; the equivalent of 11 years running 24 hours a day,
365 days per year. Since night skiing is generally less than four hours an evening for
approximately 4 to 6 months per year, Snow-Bright lamps can last more than half a century!
This translates into more than 600% in maintenance savings compared with conventional ski
slope lighting.
Snow-Bright™ fixtures maintain more than
85% of their luminosity over their life-cycle.
When compared with other lighting, SnowBright offers unparalleled performance.
Consider that conventional MH can lose 25% of
their light output within the first season! HPS is
not significantly better. LED lighting lacks the
photometric properties required for slope
lighting. The choice is clear. Nothing beats
MIL, and no other MIL comes close to SnowBright™ fixtures.
IU.OOU
:n.IUI
40 UOO
Durnin,: lluar..
f•U IIIIU
fi,U•f
UMJ,O'llt
Technical Considerations for Minimizing "Light Pollution"
Light pollution has become a major environmental consideration for ski slope managers as we
learn more about the adverse effects of artificial light on nocturnal wildlife. In addition, brightly
lit slopes can be disturbing to residential areas such as slope-side housing and neighboring
villages. In the natural world, the brightest light we experience at night is the full moon which is
approximately 0.2 lux. Even under such extraordinarily low light, the healthy human eye can
clearly resolve objects and features. However, moonlight is not sufficient in intensity or
spectrum to provide color perception or to resolve writing on the page of a book. Although it is
impossible to read a book under moonlight, cross-country skiers frequently venture out under a
full moon for an evening trek. This raises the important question, "How much light do you
really need for effective slope illumination?"
Traditionally, ski facility managers have believed that the more
light you can have on the slope, the better the experience. In
reality, more light can create more visual problems than it may
solve. Equally important, increasing environmental
considerations challenge the traditional view of slope lighting.
Responsible night lighting must balance external impacts
against desired objectives. Lighting a ski slope as you would a
sports arena may seem like a good idea, but it is not cost
effective and can have serious negative effects upon nocturnal
wildlife and neighbors. In addition, excessive night lighting may
actually be dangerous if it acts as a visual distraction for
pedestrians and motorists.
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-Tech TM Lighting
All rights reserved.
4
High intensity lighting creates light
pollution, making slopes stand out
against surrounding areas.
The "snow-specific" spectrum of Snow-Bright™ lamps provides the ability to lower overall
lumen levels by concentrating light within the visual range of the human eye. This is particularly
important when considering sensitivities of night predator birds like owls which have fixed frontal
eyes and rely upon vision derived from rods rather than cones. This vision is
monochromatic since rods do not resolve color. A very bright slope illuminated by 1OOOW or
greater metal halide or high pressure sodium may act like oncoming headlights that can obscure
an owl's forward vision. High intensity lamps like metal halide and sodium disturb the natural
cycle of insects and have been known to interrupt hibernation in some mammals.
When compared side-by-side, the Snow-Bright difference
becomes obvious. Metal halide lamps produce a very bright
white glare upon the snow. Skiers are effectively blinded by the
contrast between the reflected light and their forward vision.
Terrain appears "flat" and without contrast much the way an
overcast day causes "flat light." At the same time, the entire
surrounding area is subject to the intense reflected glare from the
slope.. . the light is wasted. Orange light from sodium lamps is
concentrated in a narrow visible spectrum, making colors muted
and indistinguishable. Snow contour is lost and moguls can
appear flat. Snow-Bright™ lighting can be configured to provide
a more uniform light across the snow without the intense
"spotting" produced by conventional generic outdoor lighting.
Snow-Bright™ light in the
foreground uniformly illuminates
snow with exceptionally high
contrast compared with metal
halide lights down the slope that
produce excessive glare and
flatten the snow's appearance.
Ideally, slope lighting should blend into the environment rather than
contrast against it. While there may always be more intensity at the
focal point of any lamp, the ability to spread light more uniformly
reduces contrast. Snow-Bright™ lamps are designed to focus light
onto the snow where it is needed rather than into the sky where it
causes light pollution. In many cases, local ordinances actually
foreclose night lighting. In Europe, lumen restrictions are as low as
"5 x moonlight;" the equivalent of just 1.0 lux. Some communities
require "full cut-off' lamps that prevents extraneous light from
''bleeding" away from the source. All of these issues can be
addressed using Snow-Bright™ lighting.
Snow-Bright™ lamps come in a variety of configurations
that can produce the correct reflective pattern for
particular terrain. Consider the unique aspects of a slope's
vertical geometry in comparison with roads and fields.
With few exceptions, the maximum grade (incline) for a
U.S. road is only 8% which is less than 10°. Fields are
level at 0° pitch. By comparison, a slalom ski course can
exhibit more than a 30° pitch. Thus, the typical high
intensity lamps used to light roads and fields do not
lend themselves to efficiently illuminating ski slopes.
This is because the reflective pattern and "throw" is
designed for "down-lighting." Yet, virtually all ski
Copyright©2010 Ultra-TechTM Lighting
All rights reserved.
Retrofit project shows sodium on
left, metal halide on right, and
Snow-Bright center-right. Notice
the high contrast without glare on
the snow illuminated by SnowBright™ lamps
5
A 400-watt Snow-Bright "down-slope" lamp
produces an elongated lighting pattern that can
disperse light along the vertical slope contour.
Unlike conventional spot lights, the light source is
over 2 feet long. Lamps can be canted to
accommodate specific slope incline.
areas have been forced to use standard fixtures because that was all that was
available. Some areas have resorted to high-mast configurations that are
designed for roadways and fields. These lights can be mounted on poles
ranging from 60-feet to more than 100-feet high. They produce an enormous
amount of extraneous light than can be seen for miles.
For the first time, ski facility managers can actually design a lighting plan that matches the
particular application. From a gentle incline in a beginner area to a race course or half-pipe...
Snow-Bright™ lighting will maximize the resolution on the snow while minimizing light
pollution. Intense blotches of round light are replaced with smooth spreads ofuniform and nonobtrusive usable slope illumination.
In order to have a metal halide or sodium fixture spread its light along an angular
slope surface, the lamps must be directed along the slope's vertical. This means
the light will be pointing downhill, putting light into the eyes of those below the
beam. Pointing lamps uphill shines light directly into the eyes of descending
skie s. The geometry of a conventional high intensity
lamp uses a single concentrated source that is dispersed
A typical metal
from a reflector. Snow-Bright™ fixtures use elongated
halide bulb
offers a single
bulbs that disperse light in accordance with slope angles
intense point of
and contours. A Snow-Bright 300W round flood lamp
light.
can frequently cover more area than a 1,OOOW sodium fixture. This is
because the reflector works with the bulb geometry to spread light over a
Snow-BrighPM round
wide-area flood uses
wider surface area. This means the lamp can be directed more toward
a tubular circular light
the snow surface and less into the sky. The result is better performance
source for dispersion
across the slope.
without excessive light pollution.
Economies of Scale
When considering a new night-lighting project, infrastructure and economies play as important a
role as light selection. Since Snow-Bright™ fixtures are specifically designed for mountain
terrain, they are wind resistant, moisture resistant, light weight, and multi-directional. This
usually means mounting pole heights can be lowered to 20 or 30 feet for most projects. Multiple
light-weight lamps can be mounted on a single pole. The "throw" of the light can reduce the
number of required poles and associated electrical infrastructure. Economies of scale come into
play when reducing pole counts, wiring, power, mounting casings, and engineering.
In most cases, two 300W Snow-Bright™ floods can perform better than a single 1,500W metal
halide lamp, yielding over 50% in operational savings while generating better lighting
performance. Ski facility managers who want to minimize light pollution can actually use lower
wattage ratios while maintaining safe and comfortable night skiing or tubing experiences.
Flexibility and Fun with Lights
The "cold bulb" technology of Snow-Bright™ means facility managers can use plastic color
filters to change lighting effects when desired. For example, a tubing park can display green and
red Christmas lighting, green lighting for Saint Patrick's Day, and anything in between. Of
course, care must be taken not to degrade the visual requirements for the illuminated
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-TechTM Lighting
All rights reserved.
6
environment. Still, the ability to change lighting effects provides versatility and flexibility for
tubing parks, cross country tracks, and gathering areas. (Not recommended for active slopes.)
Environmentally Friendly, Too!
Magnetic induction lights are totally recyclable. This is because bulbs
do not use dispersed mercury. Instead, MIL has a solid mercury
amalgam "slug" that can be clipped from the lamp for recycling. The
remaining glass is disposable like any other glass container. Even the
magnetic rings can be recycled as metal, or returned to Ultra-Tech
Lighting for reprocessing. Mercury lamps, CFLs, HID, and even
LED lighting must be handled as ''hazardous waste" which requires
Class 3 disposal. Fees for disposing of hazardous waste are being imposed in many districts and
can amount to large overheads
In our new era of"sustainability," Snow-Bright addresses all the most important goals:
• Extraordinary life-cycle
• Fully recyclable
• Low energy consumption
With fewer and fewer landfills for hazardous waste, disposal is an important consideration.
Although the need to dispose of MIL bulbs is not likely to occur for at least a decade, the fact
that Snow-Bright bulbs are not likely to carry a disposal fee is part of creating a "sustainable"
plan for the future.
Snow-Bright™ lighting addresses carbon footprint issues as well. When you use Snow-Bright™
lamps, you are lowering your lighting-related carbon footprint by as much as 60% to 80%. This,
too, is an important aspect of maintaining a sustainable business that is more "Green" and more
efficient. For companies that have issued carbon footprint guidelines, retrofitting to SnowBright™ lights can help meet carbon reduction goals.
We invite you to consider the full line of Snow-Bright lighting and urge you to call your
representative today to set up an evaluation and lighting audit. See what Snow-Bright™ can do
to improve your bottom line while solving all your outdoor lighting needs.
•••
LUminti(tlll technology tunes bulb spectral output to produce specific light frequencies, color, and
intensity. By changing a bulb's spectral output, Wminti(DD technology can provide the exact light
needed for specific purposes.
VA=tiJimtm technology changes the fixture focal length by altering the position of the Ultra-Tech™
Lighting bulb within the fixture. This allows more precise light dispersion over the desired surface areas.
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-Tech TM Lighting
All rights reserved.
7
BY
ULL IJ-LECHail LiGi-ILinG
CONTACT:
John Jacobs
liaiJII!
Gl f47.,!fJ
SUPPI..Y, IHC.
643 Upper Glen St, Queensbury, NY 12804
(518) 793-5676
Copyright© 2010 Ultra-Tech
All rights reserved.
TM
Lighting
8
January 8, 2014
Ryan Stanley
General Manager
Snow King Ski Area & Mountain Resort
P.O. Box SKI
Jackson, WY 83001
Emily Hagedor
Teton Conservation District
P.O. Box 1070
Jackson, WY 83001
Re:
FY 2014 Technical Assistance Cost-Share Grant Application
“Building our Base – Environmentally Friendly Lights for Snow King”
Dear Ms. Hagedor:
Snow King is pleased to support the proposed retrofit of the existing lighting
system at Snow King Mountain. The current lights are metal halide lights that degrade in
productivity within the first year of use. These lights frequently go out and replacing
them is an expensive time consuming task.
The proposed magnetic induction lights associated with this project should result
in lower maintenance costs and a longer lifespan. In addition, this system of lighting
should substantially reduce the energy consumption, providing a better experience for
wildlife and the community. Snow King Ski Area is fully supports the “Building our
Base” application to improve lighting on the mountain.
Sincerely,
Ryan Stanley
in New York, and both his daughters
are freestyle instructors there.) Working with an Israeli engineer named
Nathan Guedalia, Ultra Tech adapted
existing magnetic induction lighting
by developing proprietary technology
that specially engineers the spectral
output from induction bulbs to make
the light far more effective for illuminating the unique characteristics of a
snow surface.
With conventional lights for
night skiing, the existing philosophy is that more intense directional
lighting will lead to better visibility
on the snow. However, this can create
noticeable light pollution that spills
over into the sky and the surrounding
areas. Larger lighting manufacturers,
like Sylvania and Phillips, ignored
the smaller ski area market, believing
it too small and esoteric to invest research and resources. But for a lifelong
skier like Gotthelf, he knew there was
room for improvement.
32
NSAA Journal
EARLY WINTER 2013
To be sure, conventional lighting
technologies involving metal halide
and high-pressure sodium lights
remain the industry standard, and
certainly provide an amazing level of
illumination for a safe and enjoyable
night skiing experience. Years ago,
NSAA worked with the Illuminating
Engineering Society ofNotth America
(IESNA) to develop guidelines for
Sports and Recreational Area Lighting, which provides recommendations
for illuminance, design, spacing, and
height and directional considerations.
All of these factors differ based on a
resort's site-specific characteristics such
as weather, trail width, gradient, and so
on. Indeed, the illuminance guidelines under the IESNA 6.24 will not
be impacted by whether a resort uses
conventional bulbs or the new SnowBright lights, and will remain the
industry benchmark for night skiing.
What is different about Gotthelfs
new lighting technology is that the
Snow-Bright lights penetrate into the
crystals of the snow and refract the
light, akin to how a diamond refracts
light.As a result, the light travels
through the snow, instead of reflecting
off the snow like a mirror, which occurs
with metal halide or high-pressure
sodium lights. 'This refraction of light
significantly minimizes the harsh glare
on snow, which prevents the "glow"
from night lighting at ski areas and the
potential for light pollution.The result is
a more uniform and effective lighting of
the actual snow surface to be illuminated-without the angry neighbors.
hile reducing light
pollution was critical to Steamboat, the opportunity
to improve on-mountain safety was
paramount.The white surface of snow
is highly reflective, presenting significant challenges for a skier/rider's visual
perception.The metal halide and
www.nsaa .org
high-pressure sodium lights that most
resorts use for night skiing produce
a very bright glare on the snow and
concentrate light in a narrow visible
spectrum. This makes colors muted
and indistinguishable, adding to the
challenge for the human eye to resolve
contours on the mountain.
"Our goal was not just to have
night skiing, but really good night
skiing," Steamboat's Doug Allen
emphasized. "ThesSnow-Bright
lights give off a broader spectrum of
color that the other lights don't, and
they better enable the eye to pick up
all aspects of skiing...the contours,
the terrain, the bumps. It's so vivid.
Brighter lights don't necessarily equate
to better visibility, it's more about the
color of the light."
or advice and insight, Steamboat turned to the first ski area
to embrace this new lighting technology, Mount Peter Ski Area in Warwick,
New York, which has experimented
with all three main types of night
lighting technologies, including Ultra
Tech's Snow-Bright lights.
Mount Peter served as the ski
industry's guinea pig for induction
lighting last season. Located near the
New York and New Jersey state lines,
the area has a thriving night skiing
program. With 150 lights all over its
hill, Mount Peter employs a gamut
www . nsaa.org
of lighting technologies, including
halogens, metal halide, and low- and
high-pressure sodium lights. Starting
in 2012, the area initially installed 12
lights from Ultra-Tech on its Dynamite Racer trail, where USSA race
training takes place, especially at night.
Mount Peter (where Babe Ruth
frequently skied) was more than
impressed with Snow-Bright lights
compared with its existing traditional
lights. "It really does something to
the [visibility of the] snow. The
depth perception is amazing," said
Karl Kullberg, mountain manager. "I
wanted new lighting that would give
some definition to the snow, and it
sure did that."
Kullberg said he was initially "very
skeptical" of the remarkable claims
made by Ultra Tech's Phil Gotthelf but
was quickly won over. "You have to see
it to believe it," he stressed. "The detail
of the terrain is noticeably different. It
somehow magically defines the crystals
and brings out the snow."
Aesthetics aside, for Kullberg, the
overall improvement in on-mountain
safety was the most compelling part
of this new technology. A lifelong ski
racer, he immediately realized that
there would be a significant improvement to the resort's night skiing and
race club training programs. With
nearly 300 ski racers, Mount Peter has
one of the fastest growing ski clubs in
the country.
Given the time constraints with
families' schedules-especially on busy
weekends with competing demandsexpanding training opportunities
into the evening hours provides a lot
more flexibility for race club training,
explained Rob Dowd, Mount Peter's
racing program director. "This new
lighting definitely makes a dramatic
difference [in visibility]. It's amazing-the lights are hyper-focused on
the run...there's almost zero light
wash," said Dowd, who was named
2013 USSA Coach of the Year. And
the improved safety is now a selling
point to parents to encourage them to
get their children into racing. "I want
20 more of these lights," he added.
And according to his boss, he's going
to get them.
Kullberg noted that even for those
resorts that do not embrace night
skiing, this new lighting technology
provides added safety benefits. "For big
resorts, this technology will give much
better visible acuity in the base areas
and for their lodges," he said. Furthermore, Kullberg pointed out that many
ski areas will consider new lighting for
parking lots, given its enhanced illumination on wet or snowy surfaces.
here is a fascinating back story
to the history of magnetic
induction lighting. This technology
was invented by Nikola Tesla, the
EARLY WINTER 2013
NSAA Journal
35
Serbian-born, wildly inventive engineer
who both worked with, and competed
against, Thomas Edison on a number
of applications for electricity. Tesla
tried to persuade Edison that induction
lighting was better than Edison's incandescent bulbs, largely because induecion lights last fur tens of years without
needing to change out bulbs. But
Edison flat out rejected Tesla's induecion lighting. Where was the planned
obsolescence, Edison asked? If induecion lights hardly ever burn out and do
not need to be replaced, how would
their company ever make any money?
This is a significant selling point
for Ultra Tech (and Reliable Racing, which is the distributor for Ultra
Tech).The Snow-Bright lights have a
be long gone by the time they need to
change out these new bulbs."
Indeed, Mount Peter's local utility
company, which provides incentives
to consumers to reduce energy, is
covering 25 percent of the costs of the
new lights because they are so much
more efficient than traditional lighting options.Thanks to huge savings in
energy costs compared to traditional
lighting options, Mount Peter is looking to replace all of its conventional
night lights with Snow-Bright lights.
"My goal is to have 100 percent of the
mountain using these lights, not just
the race trails," Kullberg said.
In addition to lasting decades
longer than traditional lighting, Ultra
Tech lights use far less energy over
conventional lights because their lamps
use lower wattage. Metal halide lights
typically use 1,000 watts, whereas Ultra
Tech lights operate at 300 watts. With
Consider this: If a resort offered four
a strategic lighting plan, Gotthelf said,
hours of this lighting every evening for
resorts can reduce their electricity costs
roughly fOur to six months, Snowfor night lighting by 60 to 80 percent.
Bright lamps would last fur more than
Moreover, there are rebates availhalf a century, according to Gotthel£
able fur resorts with existing night
Ultra Tech estimates that resorts
lighting looking to retrofit and replace
their conventional lights with new,
will save 600 percent in maintenance
energy-saving lights like Snow-Bright
costs alone since they won't have to
change out bulbs. ''I'm replacing
fixtures. And for Excel Energy cus1500-watt halogens with two 300-watt tomers in Colorado, New Mexico,
induction lights from Ultra Tech," said and Minnesota, ski areas that replace
Mount Peter's Kullberg. ''I'm going to
their existing 1,000-watt metal halide
life span of more than 100,000 hours.
Meanwhile, conventional lights used
for night skiing last a fraction of that,
between 2,000 to 6,000 hours.
AD
36
NSAA Journal
EARLY WINTER 2013
or high-pressure sodium lights with
300-watt Snow-Bright fixtures will
be eligible fur rebates around $300
per lamp, according to Excel's John
Schneider. For retrofits, this makes the
Snow-Bright cost lower than metal
halide or high-pressure sodium.
LEDs (light emitting diodes) are
highly efficient, but they are less
practical for lighting snow surfaces,
according to Gotthel£ Because LEDs
tend to have deficiencies in spectral
output compared to magnetic induecion lights, LED lights for ski areas
have to compensate with overly intense
output. LED lights, like Snow-Bright
induction lights, use far less energy
than metal halide and similar conventional lights, but LEDs are much more
expensive, ofren costing three times as
much as conventional lighting options.
here are other, less tangible
benefits to this new lighting
technology. Unlike conventional lights,
Snow-Bright lights do not make any
whirring noise. In addition, the lights
are less damaging and disturbing to
nocturnal wildlife, given the lights'
overall lower intensity. The impact of
these lights on habitats for fox, deer,
owls, bears, elk, and moose is far less
pronounced than with conventional
lights, which tend to blind or stun
wildlife-an upside that will likely be
reassuring to the U.S. Forest Service.
Furthermore, magnetic induction
lights such as Snow-Bright lights can
be turned off and on immediately,
without any re-illuminacion time.
Conventional lights for night skiing
take 20 to 30 minutes before they
can be re-illuminated. Remember the
now-infamous power outage during the 2013 NFL Super Bowl at the
Superdome? It took the Superdome
34 minutes to re-illuminate the highintensity field lights before play could
www.nsaa.org
resume.The Superdome uses the same
conventional lights used by most night
skiing operators.
Lastly, induction lights like SnowBright do not have dispersed mercury
the way conventional incandescent
bulbs do, which makes disposal, cleanup, and recycling difficult and expensive. The Snow-Bright lights contain
two solid mercury slugs, not dispersed
mercury, which can be easily removed
and mailed back to Ultra Tech for
recycling. Did you know that if you
break a traditional bulb, given the significant hazards of ambient mercury,
OSHA mandates costly and extensive
cleanup protocols for conventional
bulbs (for example, using duct tape,
instead of sweeping, to remediate a
broken light)?
To be sure, there is a downside.
Upfront costs of these lighting fixtures
initially may be more expensive than
metal halide or high-pressure sodium
lights, depending on wattage and sizes,
with a premium of about 30 percent
higher costs over traditional lights.
Whereas metal halide light fixtures typically range between $400 and $1,000
depending on quality, the Snow-Bright
300-watt fixtures sell for roughly $700.
But with energy savings, maintenance
savings, and overall improved safety, the
return on investment is satisfied within
just a few years, Gotthelf said.
AD
oug Allen's research paid
off for Steamboat. Despite the concerns raised by neighboring property owners over the perceived
light pollution from the ski area, Ultra
Tech created a photo-metric study
and computer model representation
for the city's wning board showing
how the lighting would look on the
mountain and the surrounding areas.
The presentation was so persuasive the
Steamboat Springs City Council and
City Planning Commission unanimously approved the resort's night
skiing proposal.
Overall, just over half of all ski
areas in the United States offer night
skiing, but it is highly concentrated
near urban markets, with resorts in
the Southeast, Midwest, and Pacific
Northwest making up the lion's share.
While many resorts offer night skiing,
on average it represents between 7 and
8 percent of all skier visits, according
to the 2013 NSAA Kottke Natio1Ull
End of Season Survey. Yet in the Midwest and the Southeast, night skiing
accounts for nearly one quarter of all
skier visits in those regions.
For Steamboat-which prides
itself on offering a wide array of family
friendly options-night skiing made
perfect sense. "Families will be able to
enjoy the slopes together at night, have
non-skiing members watch from the
condo, hotel, or base area restaurant,
and know it's a safe environment,"
Steamboat's Doug Allen reasoned. "This
certainly reinforces the family environment of our ski resort."
This season Steamboat will begin to
offer night skiing on weekend nights
from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and may
expand the hours on holidays and spe-
cial occasions.The lighting installation
will allow for night skiing from Christie
Peak down to the base area, covering
roughly 1,100 vertical feet of terrain, including the Lil' Rodeo Terrain Park. And
Steamboat will have added lift ticket options, with both separate and expanded
passes for night skiing...not to mention
the opportunity for more hamburgers
and beer sales at the resort.
"Even if a family gets to the resort
in the late afternoon, there's still an
option to let the kids ski that evening,"
Allen explained. "This expands the
array of pass sales we can do here at
Steamboat, and gives families more options for their stay."
With such advances in lighting
technology like Snow-Bright, will more
resorts follow Steamboat's lead and
embrace opportunities for night skiing,
night racing, or night tubing? Given the
fleecing length of winter daylight, expanding sales options into the evening
hours-with improvements in technology to make night skiing safer and less
expensive to operate-more destination
resorts may be more willing to give
night skiing further consideration.
In short, this new technology will
allow resorts to look at night skiing,
well, in a new light. I
Attendees ofthe Wfstem Wtnter Conference
and Tradeshow at Steamboat, Colorado, wiD
have a chance to review this technology
during a special night skiing event sponsored by Ultra Tech on january 22, 2014.
38 I NSAA Journal
EARLY WINTER 2013
www.nsaa . org