22-09-2023

Alpe di Mera: Expansion and further development of TechnoAlpin's snow-making system

The Italian ski resort of Alpe di Mera is located in Piedmont, not far from the Swiss border. With 30 kilometers of slopes, there is something to suit every ski enthusiast at every level of difficulty. TechnoAlpin was commissioned to construct an innovative snow-making system in 2005 in a bid to turn the hope of snow into safety and thus guarantee successful winter seasons.

A comprehensive project for the expansion and modernization of the existing system was approved in 2022. The aim: to increase the pumping capacity of the system and optimize the use of existing water resources. The project is in the throes of being completed.

Overall, approximately 5 kilometers of new cast iron pipes as well as power and data cables have been laid. In addition, 48 new pits have been constructed to supply water, power and data to the 57 new automatic snow lances. The remaining 9 lances were connected to existing pits.

In addition, pumping capacity has been increased to considerable extent. A mobile container fitted with 3 submersible pumps that can extract an impressive 400m³ of water per hour from a local river is particularly noteworthy.

But not only that - a new pumping station with five 250 kW motor pumps with a delivery head of 815 m and a total capacity of 400 m³/h has also been constructed. This should optimize snowmaking on the Mera-Scopello downhill slope and the filling of the existing reservoir.

The project was rounded off by the renewal of the existing pumping station with five state-of-the-art 250 kW inverters, which improve energy efficiency and optimize productivity.

TechnoAlpin is thus once again setting benchmarks in terms of technological innovation and sustainable development in the construction and extension of snowmaking systems.