15.10.2010

Ski slopes are not the only places that need snow

For 20 years TechnoAlpin has been supplying ski resorts all over the world with all kinds of snow-making equipment. Increasingly the snow experts are also catering for the demand for snow guns in Nordic centers and on toboggan runs. This has meant developing special-purpose solutions in recent years which are custom-designed for use beyond the Alpine slopes. Specially adapted lances and accessories for mobile machines are facilitating the generation of snow on narrow routes and cross-country ski runs.

Tapered snow output angle for narrow routes
A special lance head with a highly tapered snow output angle has been purpose-built for use on toboggan runs and narrow ski routes. The narrow angle enables the snow to be directed onto the specific path where it is needed. Virtually no snow is blown beyond the targeted route. These lances have been in use since last year in ski resorts like Obereggen (ITA). 15 lances with centralized air have been put in place to guarantee a supply of snow on the toboggan run. The installation of a lance system also facilitates the preparation of the narrow routes as snow can be generated evenly along the routes. As a result, there is less snow for the slope bashers to move.

This acute-angled lance head is also suitable for generating snow on ski jump approach ramps. These are places where snow needs to be guaranteed in particularly difficult circumstances. TechnoAlpin therefore offers the option of mounting the lance with the narrow-angled snow output (3m version) on a mobile carriage. This means that the lance can be moved up and down the inrun, guaranteeing even snow cover on the approach.

Mobile mission along the cross-country ski runs
A special snow-making solution has also been developed for cross-country ski runs. A carriage with a mobile pump (Photo) is bringing snow-making technology to those sections of the ski runs which have no air supply pipe. The front wheel of the carriage can be steered, thereby enabling the transport of mobile machines with small slope bashers and tractors. The carriage with the mobile pump can also be operated with a submersible pump which enables water to be drawn from brooks and streams. This is the ultimate in terms of mobility and independence of technical infrastructure. The mobile carriage has already proved its reliability at major events, such as the Cross-Country World Cup in Toblach (ITA).

Organizers of upcoming Nordic events are also counting on the efficiency of TechnoAlpin systems. The snow experts have the supply contracts for the Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme 2013 (ITA) and Holmenkollen 2011 (NOR), for instance. TechnoAlpin is also currently building a new snow-making system for the Chiemgau Arena in Ruhpolding (GER). The venue is due to host the Biathlon World Cup in 2012. The Asian Winter Games organizers are also relying on TechnoAlpin snow for the big event in Almaty in Kazakhstan.