Thursday, December 27, 2012

What is there to do today?

What is there to do today?........asked by many on a regular basis.  Well, we certainly think there is a lot to do at Seven Oaks but we know you can't come here everyday.......even though you might like to..........so I am including the "Boone County Bucket List: Top Ten things to do before you kick it"......taken from the Chamber of Commerce website.  I think you will find it informative.  A lot of people make a weekend trip to the Boone area and take in a lot of these things........


  1. Zipline at Sunstream Retreat
  2. Bike across the 1/2 mile long, 130' high, High Trestle Trail Bridge
  3. Ride the Boone and Scenic Valley train out into the valley
  4. Float the Des Moines River, or ski the slopes with Seven Oaks
  5. Marvel at the 40 acre Living Library, the Iowa Arboretum
  6. Witness the IMCA Supernationals in September at Boone Speedway
  7. Gawk at the 190' high, double-track Kate Shelley Memorial High Bridge
  8. Catch a meal at Jimmy's BBQ, the Gigglin Goat, or the Lucky Pig
  9. Wash it down with a classic ale from Boone Valley Brewery or sip a crisp red from Snus Hill Winery
  10. Shop til you drop in Boone's downtown specialty stores
Come see us in Boone County..........


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Hear Ye .....Hear Ye.....

As of fifteen minutes ago Willett's Way, Elwood's Hideout, Central Park, Kenzie's Korner, the terrain park and the snow tubing park are added to the  list of trails now open at Seven Oaks.  There is only the top of Drop Zone that is not yet open............and it will be opened when we groom tonight!  Hoooooray!

A BIG Thank You to the team that made snow and pushed snow and groomed snow on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day........You made it happen!

And........I am told that snow is in the forecast for Thursday night.........some say 2 to 3 inches............bring it on!

Going to be an awesome 2012 - 2013 Holiday Ski, Snowboard and Snow Tube season.........and don't forget we are open til 11 pm on New Years Eve......

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Let's talk about snow......


I sit here waiting in great anticipation for our FIRST recognizable snow event in a long, long time.....hoping each meteorologist is right and that we get about ten inches.....10"..........oh my gosh won't that be great on Friday  Even with this much snow coming, we plan to turn on our snow machines tonight as soon as the conditions allow it.  Which brings me to the question we are often asked............

Q: How cold does it have to be to make SNOW?

A: The humidity is just as important as the air temperature when we consider making snow. 


As a rule of thumb, if you add the air temperature to the relative humidity together that sum total needs to equal 100 or less for us to make decent snow. 

We will typically start making snow at 105 IF we know the temps and or humidity will continue to drop. The lower that sum total number is, the more water we can flow to each machine and the more snow per hour we can produce.

Example: If it is 24 degrees with 88% humidity ...112...we will not try making snow. If it was 24 degrees with 75% humidity, which when added together equals 99,  we would be making snow. 


When the humidity is 60 or less and the air temps are in the low teens, we have the maximum amount of water flowing through the snow machines.........and are making a LOT of snow per hour with those conditions........

So we'll set here tonight........waiting for the right temps and humidity and hope we can add to what mother nature is giving us.........during the snow storm.........and we like it.........

Friday, December 14, 2012

Opening Day is Here!

We open today at 4 pm for day one of the 2012-13 season.....and we are anxious to see all our winter friends and especially YOU!

The snow is made, pushed into place and groomed.........



The chairlift is ready to carry you to the top....for a fun ride down.........



Some features have been set for the adventurous.......



The new approach to Abby's Alley and Freeway is covered with snow.............



.......and check out the new pipe.........

















........employees are trained, instructors are ready, the rental shop with the new boots is ready, Snow Joe's has plenty of food and Coal Creek Lounge is stocked......

.....IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT SEASON!