Snow-ball vendors from the East End to the West End are cashing in on the summer heat.

One of Bermuda's oldest snow-ball stands, Bermuda's Best Snowcones, owned by Willie Clemens, makes between $1,000 and $1,600 a week.

And teenager Mike Correia who runs the stand outside the Paraquet Restaurant makes over $100 each sunny day.

But prices for the icy treats vary from stand to stand.

Mr. Clemens sells three sizes of snow cones which are $1, $2.50 and $3 dollars while Mike has two sizes. A small cone costs $1.50 while a large is $2.50.

And just down South Shore by Warwick Camp, a vendor who calls herself "Abdulah'' sells a large cone priced at $4.

On the opposite end of the Island, on Duke of Kent Street in St. George's, Karen Johnston sells a kid's size cone for only 50 cents.

Most vendors agree that competition for the snowcone clientele is fierce -- especially on South Shore where there are usually at least four vendors out on a hot day.

June Rodriguez, who works for Mr. Clemens, admitted there was competition from vendors close by. But she said their stand had more to offer.

She said: "There's no comparison because we make our own syrups.'' Ms. Rodriguez said the mango flavour, which Mr. Clemens makes with fresh mangoes, was the most popular among customers.

Abdulah said: "The competition is good for business. I wouldn't give anyone anything that I wouldn't have and at my age I deserve the best!'' Trikeita Outerbridge who works at the stall located on Old Military Road which makes between $100 and $150 a day said: "It really depends where you are. We don't have anyone else selling snowcones close by so there isn't really any competition.'' Another stand by the Warwick Gas Station is run by two local reggae singers, Splinter Demus and Ninja Cutty, who claimed the competition did not bother them.

Ninja Cutty said: "We are loved by all, young and old, locals and tourists.'' Ronnika Darrell, 15, who is spending the summer running her family's stall which has been operating for 12 years near the Francis Patton School on Crawl Hill, said: "The competition is challenging but we try and push our sales.'' Most vendors who open for the summer months between May and October obtain temporary permits from the Department of Health which can be issued for a maximum of six months.

Instructions state the crusher must be clean and syrup pourers must be covered when not in use.

The department also suggests using a sterilizing solution of Clorox and water to clean the area.