STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley’s arsenal of 578 snowmaking guns certainly saved winter this year as a dry warm winter left ski resorts parched throughout the West.

But just how does all that manmade snowmaking affect the environment?

The Idaho Conservation League will hold an informative evening presentation on snowmaking and energy at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Konditorei Restaurant in Sun Valley Village.

Presenters will include Dennis Harper, who oversees Sun Valley’s snowmaking department, and Ben Otto, energy associate with Idaho Conservation League.

The two will discuss a variety of topics, including what it takes to make snow, the amount of energy used and what Sun Valley is doing to help the power grid.

Otto will also discuss how ICL advocates for energy conservation programs, why Idaho utilities help customers save energy, how this benefits Idaho’s economy and tips to save energy at home.