Article: Lacking snow, ski area feels the heat Warm weather cuts into Blue Hills' season

CANTON -- While many people were enjoying the bright sun and warm weather this December, Stanley Beers of the Blue Hills Ski Area was hoping for a blast of Arctic air bringing snow, or at least cold weather.

"It needs to be 28 degrees and dropping before I can make snow," said Beers, looking at the mostly bare slope of Great Blue Hill. And even when the weather is cold, coaxing the three 30-year-old compressors to spew out frozen water is more art than science.

"It's a mix of air and water," said Beers, a mix determined by the temperature and precipitation. Using more air in the mix means more money in electricity costs.

"We spend about $75,000 to $100,000 per year" on electricity, said ...

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