The City of Levelland Parks Department spent a portion of Thursday testing their snow making equipment with the hope of next week’s forecasted weather.
Dustin Reichelt, director of parks and cemetery for the city, said there are a couple of factors that go into making a successful sled hill.
First, and most importantly, is the temperature.
“The temperatures and the duration of how long the cold temperatures last are the major factors,” Reichelt said. “Typically, we need 28 degrees or colder, and it needs to be for at least a few nights.”
Reichelt said making manmade snow and providing a sledding hill in Levelland was something he and the parks department wanted to do again as it’s unique and fun.
“It’s popular and something unique for the community,” Reichelt said. “It’s something we’re going to continue doing when the weather cooperates.”
Over the past 13 years, Reichelt said the trend shows that the weather provides for multiple times to make man-made snow. He hopes that as the weather cooperates, the parks department will again be able to provide a sled hill for the community to enjoy during the winter months.
Reichelt explained the process to make the snow as basically recreating natural atmospheric processes on the ground. Compressed air and high-pressure water are used to create snowflakes.
“It’s real snow and all that entails is just water and air,” explained Reichelt.
The department takes the water from their irrigation system, sends it through a pump and it takes that water and turns it into about 600 PSI.
From there, the water goes up to their snow guns and then distributes it as snow.
At the same time, they have compressed air going up to the guns, send these little particles into the air and then the water connects together and that’s what creates a snowflake.
“I wanted to bring a sled hill to Levelland and it’s something that we will keep going,” Reichelt said. “One of the first things that businesses ask when they come into the town is how is the quality of life. Reinvesting into the quality of life in Levelland is not only make the town fun, but we are also generating more sales tax from the individuals who want to come to our town and spend their money at our different stores, restaurants, etc.”
The parks department hosted the first sled hill in 2022 and had more than 250 reservations.
“Kids love snow, I love snow, people love snow,” Reichelt said. “It’s a popular thing and we don’t get a lot of snow, so it’s fund to bring that to our community.”
To keep up with updates regarding the potential for a sled hill, follow the City of Levelland’s Facebook page.