When the winter season is over, the skis or snowboard are usually stored. However, the work is far from over for ski areas. Because successful slope management is a year-round job. You can find out here what options there are to optimize slopes in summer.
Perfect slopes don't fall from the sky. They are the result of a work process that begins long before the first snow. Ski areas can already take many measures in summer to improve piste work in winter. Especially considering the climatic changes in the Alpine region All available resources should be used efficiently.
There are numerous options for this, from the creation of a current terrain model to in-depth data analysis and strategic decisions derived from this to corrections in the terrain. This not only saves you natural and financial resources in winter, but also improves your experience on the slopes.
You can find out what you can do for your slopes in summer in the following paragraphs.
Create terrain model
You can ideally use the summer to create a comprehensive terrain model of the slopes. The slopes are “scanned” using a drone and the terrain data is visually processed.
In addition to pure terrain data, the resulting 3D image also contains location and usage information about the snowmaking or lift infrastructure. All essential data about the ski area can be accessed at a glance.
A constantly updated terrain model is essential for measuring snow depth. The survey data of the snow-free terrain serves as the basis for measuring the snow depth.
In winter, this measures the current height including snow cover. The difference from the measurement in summer then gives the actual snow depth. The more accurate the terrain model, the more precise the snow depth measurement in winter.
draw conclusions
Data-based slope management continuously collects and analyzes a variety of data in daily operations. Depending on the system used, information about snow depth, the consumption of snow groomers or the amount of water and electricity used is constantly recorded.
If this data is professionally prepared, key figures can be calculated. This makes the results comparable. You can ideally use the summer to draw the right conclusions from the data and key figures obtained. This way you can make the ideal decision in every situation. Long-term data series are particularly revealing. So include data from several consecutive seasons in your analyses. The more data is included, the more precise and targeted the decisions derived from it become.
Position of the snow guns
Based on the knowledge gained, you can also evaluate the position of individual snow guns. Particularly inefficient locations, such as those on steep terrain, should be avoided or improved. The energy used for the pump system that supplies the snow guns with water must also be questioned.
The snow-free period is particularly suitable for changing the position of the snow guns. The basis for this should be an extensive data analysis of the relevant locations. With their help, the ideal positions of the snow guns can be defined and further resources can be saved next winter.
Terrain corrections
An optimal terrain structure has an extremely positive effect on the consumption of resources in technical snowmaking. If the ground is uneven, stony or even covered with tree stumps, enormous amounts of snow are needed in winter to compensate for these irregularities.
But even inconspicuous “snow eaters” such as hollows or other depressions have to be filled with technical snow in winter. It is much more cost-effective to fill these uneven areas with earth in the summer. The ideal surface consists of a flat surface with grass cover. Often only 20 to 30 cm of support is required for ideal slope conditions.
Please note, however, that every change in the terrain, no matter how small, requires an update to your terrain model. If the snow depth measurement in winter works with an outdated or incorrect subsurface model, it becomes unusable for the sections in question.
Create storage ponds
So that you can secure the water supply throughout the ski area in winter, it is worth having your own Storage ponds to think about. In this way, you avoid drinking and usable water shortages in tourist areas and, in extreme cases, you don't have to buy additional water.
How large a storage pond should be is determined by the amount of water available and the amount of water required for technical snowmaking. Storage ponds at the highest possible altitudes also optimize the costs for pumping systems.
In addition to the potentially usable amount of water, attention should also be paid to the water quality. For example, a high sand content in the water damages the pipes and leads to high maintenance or repair costs in the long term.
Defuse accident hot spots
Accidents on the slopes can never be avoided 100%. However, there is a lot you can do to reduce the risk of accidents as much as possible. You can easily and efficiently identify hot spots with an increased number of accidents through digital monitoring of the slope rescue team.
If certain circumstances lead to an increase in slope accidents, you can take mitigating measures. Wider slopes, buffer zones or safety nets can be created and placed in a targeted manner. Dangerous objects near the slopes, such as concrete bases or parts of buildings, should also be removed if possible.
All year round business
Slope optimization is not always linked to analyzes or structural measures. A corresponding summer offer also increases annual sales in the long term. Year-round business is already becoming increasingly important in many ski areas and should be an option for all tourist regions.
So think about how you can add value to your existing infrastructure during the summer months or in the early and low seasons. Bike trails or themed hikes are very popular here and are largely dependent on lift operations in summer. This can also boost sales even without snow.
After the season is before the season
To ensure perfect slopes in winter, you can do a lot in summer! A current terrain model, extensive data analysis or corrections in the terrain not only save natural and financial resources, they also improve the experience on the slopes. With appropriate precautions, you can also improve safety on the slopes and thus increase customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Switching to year-round operation can also be useful in many cases and provide additional cash flow.