MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Winter 2019

WINTER 2019 ML BLUE 27 UP FRONT Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, night skiing was fresh and exciting. The idea of riding at night made skiing and riding accessible to a wider range of folks who weren’t able, or eager to take time away from the daily grind to chase a few turns. Hitting the slopes after sunset meant opening the gates to the masses in an entirely new way. When night skiing arrived, so did a few other healthy perks of the culture. The apres scene was revitalized as a result of fresh faces showing up after work and kept the watering holes of innumerable ski towns flowing well into the night. But with those additions, behind-the-scenes action needed to take place well in advance. Next to snowmaking and lift systems, lighting infrastructure is probably the single biggest resort undertaking, with many moving parts. When Blue Mountain Resort brought night skiing under its umbrella in the late 1970s on O-Hill and Big Baby, it did so with old-school 1000-watt metal halide lights that have remained a staple ever since. Those lights served the community and the resort well, but this season, BMR has upgraded their entire on-hill night lighting—just under 700 lights—to a system of two tandem 200-watt LED lights, a 65-percent more efficient system that projects a cleaner, brighter, and more even light. The new LEDs reduce both energy and CO2 emissions and last four to five times longer than the outgoing metal halides. The LED casts a more uniform light, causing less stress to the eye having to adjust to the dark and light sections cast by the old lamps. If you’re driving in from the highway, take a look at the hill at night: the difference is noticeable from a distance, and even more so on-hill. “The impact of our environmental footprint is always an important consideration when it comes to the Resort’s development and growth,” says Dan Skelton, BMR’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We have implemented, and continue to evaluate, a number of initiatives to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.” Partnering with Toronto-based designer and installer Optecha Lighting for the right cold-weather system, BMR also enrolled in an energy conservation program, administered by Hydro One, for the upgrade process. The new lights are more than a pretty face, with environmental sustainability and also visors to help prevent ice and dirt build-up (reducing maintenance) and to minimize “sky glow” for neighbouring properties. The LEDs can also reduce health risks to animals, helping prevent light emanating into habitats, allowing for more natural nocturnal behaviour. The LEDs also contain no toxic materials and thus eliminate the risk of mercury or other harmful elements from entering water systems. —Nelson Phillips BRIGHT FUTURE Blue’s new LED night light system illuminates a host of benefits The new 200-watt LED system in action, December 2018. PAT WHYTE