On 30 September, SIEPPUR hosted Part 1 of a Snow-How Webinar Series. The Webinar on 30 September focused on Snow Storage, also called snow farming. It entails preserving a quantity of snow, natural or man-made, available at a ski center towards the end of the winter season over the warm summer months. To minimize melting during the summer, the snow that is stored must be covered for thermal insulation purposes.
The second webinar will provide practical knowledge about Snow Production and Snow Transport.
The capability to produce snow is a requirement for any licensed IBU biathlon venue today and the aim is to turn as much water as possible into good quality snow while consuming the least amount of energy possible.
Sustainable snow transportation practices should minimize the cost, resource use and logistical efforts required, while reducing and/or limiting the climate impact of the machinery and equipment used through minimization of CO2 emissions.
Snow Production and Transport: Monday, 28 October 2024, 14:00 – 15:30 CET
The third and last webinar will provide knowledge about Snow Grooming and Handling.
Snow grooming aims to make a cross-country course resistant and durable against deformation due to forces exerted by the athletes or by melting, wind or rain. Sustainable snow grooming practices focus on optimizing resource use and reducing and/or limiting the climate impact of the machinery and equipment used through minimization of CO2 emissions.
Snow handling, or snow preparation refers to the process of ensuring the safest and fairest possible conditions for all competitors through strengthening the snow to an optimum via methods such as watering or salting. Sustainable snow handling practices seek to minimize the environmental impact on the surrounding flora and fauna or bodies of water and optimize resource use.
Snow Grooming and Handling: Thursday, 14 November 2024, 14:00 – 15:30 CET
All sessions are lead by Fabian Wolfsperger from WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) and Erik Melin Söderström from Peak 63 who will share good practice examples from their most actual findings within the SIEPPUR project. All sessions will have automatic subtitles in different languages.