Whistler Snow Making Reservoir 1 of 3 Sept 24 2009_DSC8582

Whistler Snow Making Reservoir 1 of 3 Sept 24 2009_DSC8582, originally uploaded by VancouverDoug.

Ever wonder where they get the water to make all that artificial snow on Whistler Mt BC? Here are the details courtesy of a nearby sign:

"WARNING: Do not touch the perimeter ropes. You will experience an electric shock!

Snowmaking Reservoir.
This reservoir has a capacity of 12,000,000 gallons. It is one of three snowmaking reservoirs on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains having a combined capacity of 36,000,000 gallons. The water in this reservoir is used for snowmaking operations on this mountain from the Roundhouse Lodge (1,850 meters elevation) to the valley base (670 meters elevation).

Whistler/Blackcomb has the longest vertical snowmaking terrain in North America.

Mountain wildlife are susceptible to slipping into the reservoir and then may be unable to escape. For this reason, to protect our wildlife, the perimeter is lined with electrified ropes to deter entry by the use of electric shock. The shock is not harmful to people or wildlife."