Metro Atlantans can enjoy man-made snow this winter
Here’s a primer on ‘Snow Mountain’ at Stone Mountain Park
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Since the National Weather Service began keeping records for Atlanta in 1878, there have been three Dec. 31 snowfalls: an inch in 1961, 2.2 inches in 1963 and a trace in 1970.
On Dec. 31, 2008, we’ll see snow — waaaaaaaaay more than ever before. It just won’t show up on the radar or make it into the records.
This snow is man-made at Stone Mountain Park, using a closed-loop system that pulls water from Stone Mountain Lake. For weeks now, Stone Mountain has reported two inches of snowfall every 24 hours. It’s “Snow Mountain” now has a base layer of 30 inches.
On Wednesday, Snow Mountain will open for tubing down a 400-foot hill and frolicking on 30,000 square feet of play space.
If you weren’t here in 1961, 1963 or 1970, or if snow is new for you, here’s a primer on how to prepare for it, enjoy it and warm up after.
Getting ready
You don’t have to buy a top-of-the-line snowsuit meant for North Pole temperatures for an afternoon in the snow with the kids. Will Hamby, a sales clerk at Atlanta outdoors store the Gear Revival, recommends avoiding anything made of cotton, especially denim: “Your stuff is going to get wet, even if you’re wearing snow apparel,” Hamby said. “Just pick anything that’s going to keep you warm when you’re wet.” Here’s some attire advice:
• Start with a base of synthetic underwear, then layer on your non-cotton favorites. For tops, you might try wool or a synthetic long-sleeved top. On bottom, rain pants or even nylon pants are better than jeans. If you get too warm and start to sweat, peel layers off. Sweat leads to cold.
• Wear wool or synthetic socks — if you’re going to spend money to play in snow, socks might be the thing to spend it on — and top it off with tennis shoes, hiking boots or rain boots, especially if they’re waterproof.
• Make sure you wear a hat and gloves or mittens. Gloves are better for movement, but mittens are usually warmer.
• Need a quick cheat? Try hand and foot warmers. With heat created by chemicals reacting in a pouch, they’ll keep hands and feet warm for up to seven hours. Each costs about a dollar.
• Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes to wear on the way home, including socks and underwear.
What to do
Learning to play in snow can be a lot like learning to swim the first time — it’s unfamiliar, heavier than you think and a lot of fun.
Marc Reich came to understand winter weather while growing up in Chicago and living in Portland, Ore. He’s got experience with skiing, mountaineering and now manages outdoors co-op REI in Atlanta. Here’s his advice for how to handle the snow on Snow Mountain.
• Tubing: Snow Mountain has nine lanes for speed tubing and two starter lanes that don’t shoot tubers from a speed ramp. A moving sidewalk will deliver tube riders back to the top of the 400-foot hill. Only Stone Mountain-owned equipment is allowed, and tube-riders must be at least 42 inches tall.
Reich’s take: “Parents should realize kids will have a little bit of fear. Ride with them, or start at a lower point on the hill. If you fall off, get on your back, dig your heels in and drag your feet.”
• Snow building: Two areas — Igloo City and Snowman Valley — are set aside for snow forts and snow people. Snow Mountain also has a closet with various accessories for snow citizens to wear. There’s no height requirement, but other areas — Snowflake Hill and Critter Country —are designed for people 48 inches and shorter.
Reich’s take: “It’s all about the quality of the snow. Man-made snow packs pretty well. If you need to make a snowman, just make the bottom, then make them progressively smaller as you go up. Make sure it’s packed nice and tight, so it doesn’t crumble. Make sure you get several people to help you lift it up — snow is very heavy.”
• Snowballs: A snowball shooting gallery enables snow-throwers to aim at targets, instead of at their siblings or parents. Don’t expect it to stop snow-throwing, but it’s a distraction from real people trying to stay warm and dry.
Reich’s take: ” If the snow is melting really fast, the difference between getting hit with a snowball of light, fluffy snow and an ice ball is huge.”
Warming up
Skiers, snow-lovers and transplanted Northerners know that the best thing about surviving a day in the snow is the hot cocoa (or adult beverage) that comes after. We’ll stick with cocoa here: It warms cold fingers and faces, boosts blood sugar and, hey, it’s chocolate.
Outside food and alcohol aren’t permitted in Stone Mountain Park, but here’s a simple recipe for a dry hot chocolate mix by local celeb chef Alton Brown. Mix it with hot water in a thermal cup for the ride home, or pull it from the pantry after.
