28 seconds ago 2009-11-08T21:29:46-08:00
ATLANTA – Residents of Atlanta aren't accustomed to snowy winters. But now anybody in the area who wants a day of snow play can head to Stone Mountain Park, which has opened its first "Snow Mountain Park," with three football fields of snow, a 400-foot hill with 11 tubing runs, and a 30,000-square-foot play area.
The snow park opened Dec. 31 and is scheduled to remain open weekends through March 1.
Details at http://www.snowmountainpark.com.
Kids can make snowmen and snow angels, and there's even a snowball-making zone, along with warming chalets and bonfires for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.
The attraction uses water from Stone Mountain Lake that is filtered and then turned into snow using the same types of snowmaking machines that ski resorts use. As the snow melts, it drains back to Stone Mountain Lake. The park's Web site says that it is buying green energy credits to power the process. Many ski resorts have also tried to make their enterprises greener by buying energy from renewable resources like wind power.
Tickets are $25 and are for timed entry. Advance reservations are recommended, as is snow gear like boots, gloves and hats. The park sells some outerwear at a store on site.
