Ski Resort Wants To Blast Snow With Heavy Artillery
Salem, OR April 3, 2008 4 p.m.
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downloadAvalanches are a constant threat in the Northwest high country. In Oregon, one ski resort wants to borrow Army weaponry to blast away the danger as a resort in Washington has already done. Correspondent Chris Lehman explains.
Thousands of people flock to ski resorts in the Cascades each winter. Keeping the thrill-seekers safe from avalanche danger is a full-time job.
The Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort wants to upgrade its avalanche-fighting arsenal to include a howitzer.
That’s the same kind of cannon the military uses to blow things up. In fact, it would be on permanent loan from the U.S. Army.
Doug Abromeit of the National Avalanche Center says there’s a reason why the people who get to fire the things have to go off for special training.
Doug Abromeit: "It is artillery. They’re designed for warfare and not for avalanche control."
About a dozen ski resorts use military-grade weaponry in the U.S., including Alpental Ski Area in the Washington Cascades.
The Washington highway department also uses artillery to reduce avalanche danger along two mountain passes.
The Mount Hood Meadows resort could have their big guns in place by next winter.
Online:
Mount Hood Meadows website detailing plans for avalanche control
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