Technical snowmaking in DAVOS KLOSTERS

The efficient and sustainable operation of a ski resort is crucial for job security, reliable snow conditions, and consistent planning. In today’s world, modern ski resorts cannot meet these demands without the help of advanced snowmaking technology.

In this article, we’ll delve into the process of creating the perfect piste, the requirements for achieving it, and why technical snowmaking is an essential part of the process. Additionally, we’ll provide interesting background information on the importance and operation of technical snowmaking facilities.

The perfect piste

What’s required?

Perfectly groomed pistes are a top priority for us and our guests. Creating and maintaining the 253 kilometres of local ski runs requires extensive specialist knowledge and experience. Here are some key facts and figures that will give you an insight into the steps involved in achieving ideal slope conditions.

A good slope requires a snow depth of 40 to 80 centimetres. This solid layer of snow is crucial for withstanding daily wear and tear while also protecting the ground from damage. Slightly more snow is necessary to ensure that a downhill run remains skiable until spring.

Technical snowmaking is crucial for extending the ski season from December to April and ensuring reliable planning. Efforts are continually made to increase the efficiency and sustainability of this process.

The perfect slope results from a combination of natural snow, cold temperatures, and technical snowmaking. Preparations for the season’s start begin as early as autumn to ensure optimal conditions.

Approximately 400 snow producer are in operation across the Davos Klosters Mountains. This includes both fixed and mobile snow cannons, as well as lances for narrower slopes. Once the mobile snow cannons have produced enough snow, they are relocated by helicopter to new locations. This method ensures that challenging sections of the slopes can be optimally prepared, enhancing safety for our ski guests.

Sixteen pumping stations are used to deliver the necessary water to various locations throughout the ski area. These pumps are continually optimised to reduce energy consumption, making snow production more sustainable and efficient.

Technical snowmaking begins well before the start of the season. The first cold nights in October are often used to establish a crucial foundation of snow. This early layer protects the ground and allows for the initial grooming to commence soon after.
The process of preparing and snowing the slopes typically continues until Christmas, with snow production concentrated during the coldest periods.

Well-trained and experienced staff are essential for effective slope preparation. Snowmakers work on the mountain both day and night, ensuring that high-quality slopes are created. They manage the available water resources, adjust snow cannons, and oversee snow production.

Questions & answers

How snowmaking works

1. How can snow be produced?

Snow is produced using a combination of compressed air and water. When the water is released into the air through snow cannons or snow lances, small snow nuclei, also known as nuclides, are formed upon contact with the cold air. Fine water droplets adhere to these ice grains in the air, creating a snowflake. The snow cannons or lances press the water through fine valves, with small nozzles forming the snow grain and larger nozzles atomizing the water into fine droplets. As the snowflake travels through the cold air towards the ground, it fully forms, resulting in artificial snow.

2. What does the wet bulb show?

The wet bulb temperature is a crucial factor in planning snowmaking. It represents the relationship between humidity and temperature and is calculated and displayed electronically. If humidity is high, lower temperatures are required for effective snowmaking. Snow cannons are equipped to calculate this wet bulb themselves. Cold nights provide optimal conditions for snow production, allowing snowmakers to minimise energy usage.

3. How does the water get to the snow producer?

The groundwork for successful snowmaking begins in the summer months, when the snowmaking system is continuously optimised and expanded. A complex network of pipes ensures that water reaches the appropriate locations on the mountain. In the Davos Klosters Mountains, sixteen pumping stations are employed to distribute the water through these pipes, delivering it to the shafts of the snow cannons.

Sustainability in snowmaking

Optimisations and progress

Are you curious about how we’re enhancing the sustainability of technical snow production? Learn all about the steps we’re taking to make snowmaking more eco-friendly and efficient.

Optimisation in snomaking