Son Of Immigrant Parents, Herman Dupre Found A Way To Give The Sport Snow.
Aside from building the Seven Springs ski area in western Pennsylvania into a major mountain resort, Herman Dupre’s claim to fame is that he is a pioneer in snowmaking. He always tinkered with how to utilize high pressure air and water to help Mother Nature spread some snow on our local area which is hampered by cyclical warm weather/cold weather events. When you ski in the mid-Atlantic, you need some help to keep the slopes open. Snowmaking was the answer, and Herman was at the forefront.
Dupre holds 34 U.S. patents for the HKD snowmaking system. He is the chief engineer for Snow Economics, Inc. and his system is now sold worldwide. His new Backyard Blizzard home system based on the HKD concept became available in the winter of 2000. Without the benefit of his work, many winter resorts throughout the world would not have the snowmaking capability they utilize today.
In 1973, he applied for and received his first of many patents, and in 1990, he introduced the standard tower snow gun that was the first of many low energy products that he and his son in law, Charles Santry and his daughter Anni would bring to the ski area management market.
If you look at their website, you will find all the technical detail of their tower guns, and their new fan jet technology with their recent acquisition of a Canadian company which has increased their R&D capabilities as well as their engineering expertise.
Click on the video below to hear Herman tell his story.
Pat, Having just hiked Stratton Mountain and Bromley Mt. in Southern Vermont, I can tell you that each area was loaded with Tower Guns with the HKD label on them. Its amazing what they do! Thanks Herman!
I see HKD’s all over the country making great snow !
Great article Pat, thanks for doing this.
Herman, Anni and Charles,
Thank you for your creative spirit, and as it is, needs to become contagious. The simple matter is that the young in the sport of skiing/snowmaking don’t have a clue in thinking and using tools with their hands. All for show. Your innovations have saved the sport of skiing. Without the East Coast skiing population, the industry would fall flat-fail. Without “your snow” there wouldn’t be a big enough skiers/boarders base. Your efforts were and are priceless! Vielen Dank!
Herman (HKD) also plays a big role in Nordic snowmaking.