SNOW AND SLOPE MAINTENANCE
Snow management, grooming & shaping, snow vehicles & winter services, snow cannons & lances, pumps & collection ponds, compressors & snow pipes, snowcats, artificial snow, redevelopment & conservation, cable cars, mountain railways and more. Get all your news here on SI Magazine.
No Japow: Is Japan losing its powder snow?
A Japanese study dramatically highlights the impact of climate change on winter sports: If global average temperatures rise by four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, only seven out of 349 ski resorts in Japan are expected to operate entirely on natural snow. According to researchers, merely 26 additional resorts would still be able to open at least parts of their slopes.
When do snowmakers actually run?
For the first time, TechnoAlpin evaluated anonymized operational data from 13,129 snowmakers across 112 Austrian ski resorts. The result: during the 2025/26 winter season, the systems were in operation for an average of 169 hours. Forty percent of the total snow produced was generated in just six days during November – the brief window in which the base snow layer for the season was established.
Inauen-Schätti: Avalanche protection is revenue protection
Not only cable cars, but also avalanche protection systems must operate reliably to guarantee uninterrupted ski resort operations. The Bergbahnen Sölden (Austria) therefore rely on equipment and services from Inauen-Schätti, with infrastructure upgrades currently underway.
Télé-Villars and Kässbohrer: Mutually beneficial partnership
How does a ski resort pave the way toward a more sustainable and efficient future alongside its technology partners? Together with Kässbohrer, the Swiss destination of Villars-sur-Ollon demonstrates how such a partnership of equals works – and what concrete steps result from it.
Driving Force for E-Mobility
With the MyMountainNature initiative, the german-austrian ski resort Oberstdorf · Kleinwalsertal is a pioneer in sustainable operations and aim to break new ground. For them, mountain e-mobility holds great potential. Board members Henrik Volpert & Johannes Krieg discuss this in an interview.
X-Track-Chain: Minimal Snow Cover? Maximum Efficiency!
The new 6-band X-Track chain from Kässbohrer impresses with precision that inspires. The “footwear” for PistenBullys proves maximum efficiency with minimal snow cover.
Turning old (snow) into new
Snowfarming is being practiced more and more frequently. However, the snow often no longer binds, and sinking ankle-deep becomes unavoidable. Snowglue LiMES from Bächler Top Track AG makes the snow load-bearing again. A proven technology in an new field of application.
Prinoth at Mountain Planet 2026: Leading solutions for the winter
In Grenoble, the international ropeway and ski industry will focus on the long-term viability of alpine destinations. Rising demands for economic performance and sustainability call for strategic vision and innovation: Prinoth will showcase solutions to today’s and future challenges.
PistenBully: New SmartCut Tiller
At the end of the day, guests see only one thing: a perfect slope. For those responsible for the slopes, however, it‘s the journey that counts – efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technology must be just as important as the result. This is exactly where the new SmartCut groomer comes in.
Spanish ski resorts are investing heavily
With Astún and Alto Campoo, two Spanish ski resorts are investing heavily in their infrastructure: new cable cars, slopes, snow groomers, and beginner areas are to be acquired or implemented. The details.
Drones for Inspection and Monitoring
"Drone Revolution" for the Industry: Spearheaded by snow lance manufacturer BÄCHLER, the startup SCARA captures has adapted a drone specifically for alpine operations. It autonomously inspects mountain infrastructure, monitors slopes, or assists in rescue missions. The potential applications seem limitless.
Snow fences for better snow coverage: how does it work?
The Télé Villars-Gryon-Les Diablerets ski area in Switzerland is relying on large snow fences to direct snow into targeted areas. How does this system work – and how effective is it?