BOISE, Idaho — Bogus Basin's pilot program using a Finnish snow storage system proved successful after a massive pile of snow survived the summer heat, potentially allowing the ski area to open its first chairlift on a set date each year.

The technology, called Snow Secure , is a type of insulation that uses a white polystyrene mat to insulate the snow from summer heat and the elements. Bogus Basin said it decided to take a chance on the technology after seeing its success in Scandinavian countries for nearly a decade.

Mountain leadership said the benefit of storing natural snow is that it reduces the need for man-made snow ahead of a ski season. "On average, the technology cuts early season water and electricity consumption by 70%," Bogus Basin said.

In April, officials gathered

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