NORTH CONWAY, New Hampshire — Cranmore Mountain, located in the heart of North Conway Village , New Hampshire, today announced it would be making significant investments in its snowmaking equipment with the addition of 80 new energy-efficient tower snow guns.

The new equipment represents an almost 80% increase in the resort’s inventory of snow tower guns. Not only will the new guns produce more snow more quickly, they’ll also require far less electricity to operate.

“Snowmaking represents the majority of our energy use,” stated Cranmore General Manager Ben Wilcox. “These new guns will allow us to make up to three times more snow than traditional snow guns. The guns also use less air which means lower energy consumption and therefore we will be reducing our carbon footprint as well.” Cranmore has been known as an environmental leader in the ski industry since 2003 when the mountain was the first to convert its grooming fleet to biodiesel fuel.

Another benefit of the new equipment is its ability to make snow at higher temperatures. “We can make snow at temperatures 4 degrees higher than older model tower guns,” continued Wilcox. “It’s easy to see how this will allow us to make more snow in those critical early season periods and open more terrain more quickly.”

The new tower guns will be set up on its popular Easy Street beginner trail off the summit, extending to the Gibson Trail, down to Beginner’s Luck. Guns will also be positioned on high traffic trails including Upper Hurricane to Middle, allowing the mountain to provide the best in snow conditions on the busiest day.

New tower guns will also be added to the blue cruiser favorite Skimeister, lining the trail from top to bottom. This in addition to the installation of tower guns on Artist Falls trail 2 years ago will give Cranmore superior snow making on virtually every major route down the mountain.

Cranmore has invested close to half a million dollars for this coming winter including the snowmaking improvements and facility upgrades and repairs, the largest investment in several years at the 73 year old resort.

Cranmore was recognized as the 2009 Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year by Business NH Magazine. The prestigious award was given to Cranmore based on its successful business growth over the last two years, its community support, and its commitment to employees and the environment.

Cranmore was also rated #5 in the east for best resort in 2009 by readers of Snoweast Magazine. Its terrain parks were ranked #3 in the east by the same publication. New Hampshire magazine also ranked Cranmore’s wine dinners as best in the state for mountain top dining in 2008.

For more information about Cranmore, visit their website at www.cranmore.com or call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI.