Environment and climate change

Is water modified when making technical snow?

Not at all. It's the same as natural snow, water is simply transformed into another physical state. The quality of the water used is paramount.

What effect does technical snow have on vegetation?

Technical snow does not have a negative effect on vegetation. Research carried out by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos has shown that the "technical snow" factor has less effect on vegetation than the "ski slope" factor in general.
On the contrary, technical snow protects sensitive turf from the wear and tear of snow groomers and the sharp edges of skis. A sufficient covering of snow insulates the ground, preventing ground frost in the autumn and spring. The ground is permeated by the melting snow in the spring.

How far does global warming affect technical snow?

Results of the studies: natural climate changes and winters with and without snow have existed since time immemorial. It is not just high altitudes, air temperature, atmospheric humidity and water temperature that are conducive to making snow. Small-scale climatic conditions such as the orientation of the area, wind influences and temperature inversions must also be taken into account. For example, due to the narrow valley in the Schladming area, snow-making conditions are often better in lower areas than in areas above 1,000 meters (Prof. Dr. Ulrike Pröbstl, Vienna 2007)

Do you want to use snow-making technology to extend the winter season into the spring?

No. Snow-making technology serves principally to ensure snow in the autumn. Most snow days occur in the autumn and early winter. In most cases, the snow-making season winds up at the end of  January. In any case, interest in winter sports dramatically diminishes from mid-March. Covering the glaciers with snow has gained considerable iomportance as it enables the ski season to begin earlier on the glaciers and slows down deglaciation.

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