9 snow machines

Since 1986, up to 7 snow cannons have been in operation. In 2012, 3 additional fan snowmakers and 2 lances were acquired. Depending on outdoor temperatures and humidity, these machines can produce up to approximately 100 cubic meters of snow per hour. During nighttime operations, two grooming machines (PB 300 and PB 300 W Kässbohrer) work on the slopes to maintain them in optimal condition. Our snow production is based on natural principles, similar to those found in nature, without any chemical or other additives.

Whether natural or artificial, snow consists solely of water and air. Snow forms from tiny condensed water droplets that form in clouds due to cooling and atmospheric air supersaturation.

At very low temperatures, these droplets crystallize into small ice crystals, which are attracted to the Earth by gravity. During their descent through various layers of air over several minutes, the ice crystals grow along their axes, forming the characteristic snow crystals. Snowflakes are formed through the chaining together and aggregation of these snow crystals. Depending on the water content and the characteristics of the snowflakes, different types of natural snow can be distinguished, ranging from powder snow to firn and wet spring snow.

Technical snow, like natural snow, consists solely of water and air. The difference lies in its machine-assisted production. Therefore, the commonly used term "artificial snow" is incorrect. It actually refers to theatrical and film snow made from plastic or styrofoam. The correct term for snow produced by snowmaking equipment is "technical snow".

In the production of technical snow, the formation of natural snow is replicated. Regardless of the type of snowmaker (fan snowmaker or lance), water is atomized into fine droplets through nozzles. The finely atomized water mist meets a mixture of water and compressed air, containing nucleating agents (called nucleators), which exit the nucleator nozzles. The turbine of the fan snowmaker disperses the nucleators and the fine water mist into the ambient air. During this flight time, the water-air mixture freezes into snowflakes.

Several parameters must be considered for the production of technical snow. When discussing snow temperature, we refer to the so-called wet bulb temperature. The wet bulb temperature is derived from the dry bulb temperature (the temperature read from any thermometer) and the relative humidity in %. Due to evaporative cooling, the wet bulb temperature is always lower than the air temperature. The temperature difference is greater when the surrounding air is drier.

At 100% humidity, no more water can evaporate, and the wet bulb temperature equals the dry bulb temperature. Optimal conditions for snowmaking include a low dry bulb temperature and low humidity. Higher humidity levels are less favorable for snowmaking because the already moist air can absorb little to no additional moisture. The wet bulb temperature is measured by the meteorological station at the snowmakers. At the beginning of the snow season, borderline temperatures are very common.