10 year old makes a ski slope

080124 Snow Yard 470
Cool (literally) maker kid! He made a snow machine and filled his backyard -

Forest Pearson's snow dreams started three years ago when he froze ice cubes for an ice track. Back then, his mother wondered what in the world he was doing, but this year, she understands. "We're past toys," she said. "We're into air compressors and spray nozzles." Forest has even bigger plans for next year. He plans to double the amount of snow he can generate in one night to six feet. All he needs is a bigger pressure washer. "It's a lot of fun," he said. "It's fun to have people over and let them enjoy it too." Forest said the machine wasn't cheap. He had to save his allowance to pay for $500 in supplies, but he said it was all worth it.
Boy, 10, engineers private backyard ski slope | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon - [via] Link.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Sean on January 28, 2008 at 11:08 AM

..."wasn't cheap"... I bet a professional ski slope would beg to differ. Also, I wonder how much his parents pitched in for water :)


Posted by: Bleh on January 28, 2008 at 11:58 AM

Hmmm... I'm sure he'd have better results (dry snow)if he propped the nozzle arm quite a bit higher off the ground.


Posted by: Illichosky on January 28, 2008 at 2:56 PM

When I was 11 I had the same idea after watch a TV show that explain the snow making process... Unfortunately
in Brazil isn't cold enough...


Posted by: BartonOC on January 28, 2008 at 4:52 PM

Looks like you can get the nozzles (or kits or prebuilt units) HERE - then all you need is a decent pressure washer, decent air compressor - some misc plumbing and a housing or frame to mount it to. Something I tried as a kid with the garden hose - just didn't get a fine enough mist without the compressed air. Looks like the nozzles are very specific as well - however If i had a compressor, washer and the space - i'd prolly be trying to make some nozzles. I know someone out has the stuff and wants to try.


Posted by: Snow_Biff on January 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM

Heard last night that he purchased from snowathome.com, he got the SG4 U-build. That machine has me stoked! I board in the backyard before anyone around has snow! Got the SG7, It's amazing! I love those guys! WAY TO GO KID!! (Doesn't he look like Opie?)


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog