The Process

I recently had a few questions on how we determine which greens are cleared. Under normal conditions I would begin clearing the greens that see the most sun. These greens have the least amount of snow and are easier to clear. Since their melting rate is higher there is a greater chance for ice to form at the surface.

However the last two winters were not very normal for us. The elk traffic have changed our process a bit. So our goal this spring is to target the greens that had a lot of elk traffic which may have created ice forming at the surfaces. So far greens 14 & 15 have come out looking healthy.

As for the practice greens, for a little afternoon recreation on a warm sunny day? I am hoping to have all of the greens cleared by the end of March. Usually the practice greens are last to be cleared. This year they will be last because the practice area is the only area on the course that we noticed zero elk traffic. However, with our recent weather, we may get to the practice greens much earlier.

Today we target 11 green. Then we will move to greens 16, 17, 7 and 3, then we will re-evaluate with the weather and any other elk traffic that may occur over the next couple of weeks. So far we see no signs of the elk leaving Vail. Makes me wonder if they will become year round residents?