SIEPPUR Research Findings
The capability to produce snow is now a given for any well-established Nordic ski centre and is a requirement for any licensed IBU biathlon venue today.
The aim of snow production is to turn as much water as possible into good quality snow while consuming the least amount of energy possible.
The good practices identified in this summary help minimise snow production’s impact on the surrounding environment, such as flora and fauna; optimise the use of often scarce resources, such as water; and minimise impact on climate, such as reducing and/or limiting the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the production process.
Snow production Good Practices identified: see details here
1.1 Reduce noise in snow production
1.2 Low Wet-bulb temp. threshold (-4°C)
1.3 Snow making hydro power
1.4 Snora
1.5 Zero Energy Snow Lance
1.6 Natural cooling tower: ponds & cascades
1.7 Cooling towers
Snow storage, also called snow farming, entails preserving a quantity of snow, natural or man-made, available at a ski centre towards the end of the winter season over the warm summer months.
It is a common practice in all snow sports since the 1990’s. To minimise melting during the summer, the snow that is stored must be covered for thermal insulation purposes.
Sustainable snow storage good practices included here help minimise resource loss and optimise resource use while also considering the economic sustainability of the related efforts.
Minimising waste and limiting impact on the natural environment are also key considerations.
Snow storage Good Practices identified: see details here
2.1 Snow distribution plan
2.2 Excavator shovel to crush snow better
2.3 Shaving the snow from the storage with the excavator
2.4 Ground flattening – open brick
2.5 Woodchips crushing on site
2.6 Realtime cover thickness control
2.7 Snow Secure plates
2.8 Thick saw dust/ wooden chips cover
2.9 Wood wool insulation
2.10 Two layers of insulation plates cover + rain foil
Snow transportation refers to the transport and spreading of snow from the location of snow production or snow storage to the end use such as cross-country courses.
Sustainable snow transportation practices listed here aim to minimise the cost, resource use and logistical efforts required by this part of the snow management process, while reducing and/or limiting the climate impact of the machinery and equipment used through minimisation of CO2 emissions.
Snow transportation Good Practices identified: see details here
3.1 Minimise transport distance with choice of storage location / multiple smaller storages
3.2 Tarpet snow slide
3.3 Avoid dirt and rock during transportation of snow
3.4 Using tractors with trailers or small agricultural vehicles
Snow grooming of a cross-country course describes the mechanical process of manipulating the snow with a grooming machine, snow cat, snow mobile or other specialised equipment.
It aims to make a cross-country course resistant and durable against deformation due to forces exerted by the athletes or by melting, wind or rain.
Sustainable snow grooming practices selected for inclusion in this document focus on optimising resource use and reducing and/or limiting the climate impact of the machinery and equipment used through minimisation of CO2 emissions.
Snow Grooming Good Practices identified: see details here
4.1 Parallel tracks
4.2 Snow height measurement system
4.3 Snowplow to remove snow before a competition
4.4 Use of skidoos/rollers/no tilling
4.5 Electric snow groomer
4.6 HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil)
4.7 Flattening banks
Snow handling, or snow preparation, refers to specific techniques, other than grooming, to prepare the snow on a cross-country course according to the requirements of a given snow sport discipline and user groups.
In elite competition, this refers to the process of ensuring the safest and fairest possible conditions for all competitors through strengthening the snow to an optimum via methods such as watering or salting.
Sustainable snow handling practices mentioned here seek to minimise the environmental impact on the surrounding flora and fauna or bodies of water and optimise resource use.
Snow Handling Good Practices identified: see details here
5.1 Snow hardener use plan
5.2 Snow hardener distribution tools
5.3 Sun cover shields
5.4 Covering of snow-free banks or walls next to the course
5.5 Excavator use for compressing snow
5.6 Snow hardening protocol
5.7 Ground Insulation
SIEPPUR scientific partners include the WSL Institue for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) based in Switzerland and peak 63 from Sweden.
WSL’s “Snow and Atmosphere” research unit has been studying snow covers for more than 20 years in partnership with research institutions in cryosphere research, high-performance computing and model development, warning and local safety services and industry. The unit has been working with technical snow, snow storage and slope preparation for many years They have gained large experience with characterising man-made snow covers such as ski race slopes with field measurements and laboratory experiments.
Peak 63 works with researchers, the Swedish ski areas industry association, the Swedish ski association, developers of snow management systems, ski regions etc. to research and develop better and more efficient ways to work with snow as a precious resource.
