SANDPOINT - New snowmaking equipment purchased by Schweitzer Mountain Resort - estimated to cost at least $1.4 million - will not result in higher lift ticket prices for the coming season, according to communications manager Jennifer Ekstrom.

The newly-installed equipment consists of eight to 10 fully automated snowmaking guns and 23 water hydrants placed on the Midway run from the top of the Basin Express high-speed quad to the village. The resort also will be able to make snow on the beginning run Happy Trails.

The machinery, which automatically turns on when conditions are right to make snow, produces 25 percent more snow for the amount of energy consumed than other types of systems, according to Ekstrom.

While it will not greatly effect the coming ski season, the resort's goal for the equipment is to create a date certain for opening day, which Ekstrom said will most likely be Thanksgiving weekend.

"We'd love to be able to offer our guests a consistent opening, and while (the snow maker) is still weather dependent, it's not as dependent on natural snowfall," Ekstrom said. "In the future, if we could be open by Thanksgiving it would be a great way to kick off the holiday season."

By assuring customers of an opening date, Ekstrom said the snow machines will enable tourists to plan a holiday ski trip in advance.

"We have a really strong philosophy about guest services and we want to provide our guests with the best experience possible," Ekstrom said. "To the best of our abilities, we'd like to offer an early opening so people can get their holiday vacation started when they want to and have a really fun option about what to with their family on Thanksgiving weekend."

The equipment will generally be used at the onset of winter to augment natural snowfall, but could also be used throughout the season when necessary.