Climate change, rising energy prices and increasing competitive pressure – ski areas are faced with a variety of challenges today. In order for them to be successful under tougher conditions, they need a mix of data analysis, resource-saving strategies and clear communication - in short: modern slope management.
From the rise in temperature to the energy price crisis to the increasing demands of customers – winter sports are faced with a variety of challenges today. In order for these to be mastered, modern slope management is essential for ski areas.
There is enormous potential for savings, especially in the production of technical snow. By using the latest technologies, the use of water and electricity in snowmaking can be reduced by up to 20%. This means a massive reduction in variable costs and therefore more scope for action for ski areas.
What is slope management?
Slope management refers to all measures that contribute to the active control of the slope. From the perception of snow as a resource that can be influenced, to resource-saving snowmaking, to motivating employee management, this includes all optimizations that contribute to better cost efficiency and competitiveness.
Modern slope management is increasingly data-based. Ski areas are already collecting – consciously or unconsciously – a variety of different data every day. For example, from technical snowmaking, slope preparation or the fleet in use.
With an in-depth analysis of this data, the slope team receives a highly potent tool that supports them in their daily work and improves the quality of the slopes in the long term under difficult circumstances.
So far so good. But what needs to be taken into account when implementing efficient slope management? Here are the most important points:
Be honest with yourself
Every path starts with the first step. In the case of successful slope management, this consists of recognizing your own weaknesses. Because no matter how good you are, you can always do something better. In order to be able to meet the challenges of the future and continue to be competitive, you should consider all possibilities for improvement.
Because every ski area has enormous potential for optimization, regardless of its performance. Whether in technical snowmaking, the use of natural, financial and human resources or in internal communication - the following applies everywhere: the good is the enemy of the best.
In this context, it can be helpful to consult an external assessment. Long-standing habits and a rigid work routine often prevent a clear view. Thanks to the unbiased view from outside, external consultants identify risks and opportunities that you might never have thought of yourself.
Courage to change
The second step is to allow change. Only those who can adapt to changing conditions will be successful in the long term. That's why you shouldn't close your eyes to new technologies and their possibilities.
Modern slope management is achieved through a sensible mix of experienced piste staff, a profound and well-prepared data basis and a long-term strategy that covers as many scenarios as possible. This mix gives ski areas a long-term perspective that is already being used today effects of climate change are affected.
Determine status quo
If there is awareness of one's own weaknesses and the will to change, the concrete starting point must be defined. Because it forms the basis for every type of optimization. The more precisely you know the status quo, the more targeted the improvement measures can be. Here too, it is important to be brutally honest with yourself and your team.
When considering the initial situation, all areas of the company should be taken into account. As in all complex systems, one cog fits into the other in ski areas. A profound analysis of technical snowmaking will therefore not be possible without reflection from the slope team or the slope fleet. The important thing here is to question critically but always remain appreciative of employees.
Use the full potential of data
Almost every ski area in the Alpine region now collects a huge amount of different data every day. In addition to measuring the snow depth, terrain data, the operational data of individual snow points or the operating data of individual snow groomers are continuously registered.
But simply collecting this information does not bring any improvement. Only when the data obtained is professionally analyzed and evaluated can measures be taken. Key figures such as the actual water-snow factor, the required snow volume or target snow depths make measurement results comparable and changes visible.
Make data-based decisions
These analyzes form the basis for objective decisions. Gut feeling is good, but it's just a feeling. If individual processes can be quantified precisely, their potential for optimization becomes visible. This allows workflows to be better structured and important resources to be saved.
At the same time, clear decisions and targeted measures lead to greater employee satisfaction. Everyone knows where they stand and what to do. This makes work easier and leads to better results on the slopes. The initial preparation of the data may involve a small amount of additional effort. Once the analysis is running, the slope team has, on average, less work to do than before!
Long-term strategies
To ensure that ski resorts are prepared for every situation, it is a good idea to play through several scenarios in advance. This makes it possible to anticipate different weather conditions or unfavourable amounts and times of precipitation. The more scenarios that are covered, the better prepared you are for unfavourable situations.
By defining target snow amounts for individual slope sections, the slope team knows at any time how much snow is needed for optimal coverage. In combination with the forecasts of the GeoSphere Austria It can be precisely determined in advance whether further technical snow is required or whether the existing snow cover is sufficient until the end of the season.
Resource-saving snowmaking
Targeted optimizations can only be carried out on the basis of clear data. For example in the use of resources. Especially at the beginning of the season, only as much technical snow as necessary and as little as possible should be produced. If you know in advance how thick the snow cover should be on individual sections of the slopes over the entire season, you can adjust your technical snowmaking accordingly.
This avoids overproduction of technical snow. On the one hand, this saves important natural resources such as water and electricity. On the other hand, the amount of work on the slopes is reduced. Through precise snow height measurements and targeted snowmaking, snow reserves can be quickly identified and deficits can be compensated for efficiently.
Terrain corrections
However, slope management finds not just in winter instead of. In the summer months, so-called “snow eaters” can be eliminated by correcting the terrain. Hollows and depressions that have to be filled with snow in winter can be leveled with soil. This reduces the amount of snow required for optimal snow coverage.
Accident hot spots can also be identified through digital documentation of rescue operations on the slopes. Neuralgic areas are thereby identified and appropriate defusing measures can be taken. The slopes become safer, customer satisfaction increases and customer loyalty improves.
Communicate clearly
Ultimately, it is the slope team that implements all optimization measures. To ensure that these do not encounter resistance or even rejection, communication should be clear within the company from the start.
The more everyone involved - from management to the snow groomer driver - is involved in the optimization process, the greater the acceptance of the upcoming changes will be.
Presenting employees with a fait accompli has little chance of success in this regard. Only when all team members understand the background to the new way of working and know its details can everyone pull together.
The future begins now
Ski areas that are coming under pressure due to climate change or rising energy costs are well advised to critically question their own actions. External advice can open up new perspectives in this regard and lead to a productive realignment of usual working methods.
After a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, individual measures are defined to reduce the use of resources in technical snowmaking in the long term. At the same time, this ensures the quality of the slopes or can even improve them.
Clear communication within the team increases employee satisfaction and ensures that measures are successfully implemented. This means that ski areas are ideally prepared for future challenges.
