When snow falls at a rate of several inches per hour and all signs point to perfect weekend ski conditions, the folks at New Hampshire's Cranmore Mountain  know they have a lot riding on successful operation of their snow grooming equipment. Because thousands of skiers depend on it, they mustbe confident that their biodiesel-powered Bombardier groomers will operate on the coldest, darkest New Hampshire nights.

Cranmore staff report that even with heavy snow falling and temperatures hovering around 20 below, they can count on biodiesel-powered vehicles to start up and perform with no problems at all.

The resort made headlines in 2003 when it became the first ski area east of the Mississippi to run its grooming equipment and other diesel vehicles on biodiesel blends. A grant from the Granite State Clean Cities Coalition (GSCCC) helped Cranmore make the switch to B20 and install a 4,000-gallon above ground fuel storage tank. 

Since then, Cranmore has continued to use B20 in its equipment and is now using Bioheat to heat its buildings as well.  The resort uses more than 20,000 gallons of B20 each year which results in a 4,000 gallon reduction in conventional diesel fuel use.

During the 2009-2010 ski season, the resort celebrated its use of biodiesel and educated its patrons about the benefits of cleaner burning biodiesel by hosting two Biodiesel Days.  On those days, drivers of hybrid vehicles or those running on biodiesel or other alternative fuels, received a free lift ticket for the day and free VIP parking in the premiere lot.

Cranmore has been repeatedly recognized for its efforts to “go green.” In addition, staff members have spoken at conferences and events on Cranmore’s biodiesel program.

According to SkiNH , biodiesel blends have become popular with many other New Hampshire ski resorts including: Bretton Woods; King Pine; Loon Mountain; Mount Sunapee; Ragged Mountain; Jackson XC; Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Waterville Valley.  In addition, Colorado's Aspen Resorts and Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine also use biodiesel blends.

Check out the Cold Weather Guide for information about biodiesel use in cold weather.

Summer 2010