Man vs. Machine in the Ski Resort: 5 Arguments Why Technology Alone Is Not Everything
By Robert Soelkner
Robert Sölkner is CEO of the Salzburg-based company ARENA Slope Management. With over 20 years of experience in the cable car industry, he is a proven geodata and piste management expert. As a passionate entrepreneur and skier, he is passionate about skiing and uses his profound know-how to support ski resorts on their way to a successful future.
STEEP represents ARENA Slope Management in North America and can assist you in applying Robert's concepts to reality through the ARENA Slope Management program. Although this article is written with Austrian ski areas in mind, it applies entirely to North American ski areas. Ski resorts are rethinking their practices due to climate change and rising energy prices. While investing in modern technology and energy-saving infrastructure is favored, it won't fully address the winter sports industry's current challenges.
Technical advancements in snowmaking and preparation have significantly improved in recent years. To enhance sustainability and efficiency, more efficient snow generators and piste machines are being developed.
However, this is not straightforward. The latest technical equipment uses less energy than older models. Yet, the terms "sustainability" and "efficiency" are sometimes used as marketing buzzwords, and energy savings do not always directly correlate with a ski area's overall performance.
It is important to minimize resource use whenever feasible. Achieving genuine and lasting sustainability—both in terms of resource consumption and financial stability—requires effective coordination between people, machines, and nature.
Technical infrastructure is cost-intensive
The biggest problem with the technical infrastructure is the associated costs. The latest generation of piste machines and snow guns are expensive and represent a long-term investment for most ski resorts that must pay for itself. However, this also requires enough snow days at the right time. effects of climate change But even the most efficient snow generator cannot cope.
Before investing in the latest technical infrastructure, ski resorts should ask themselves whether the use of natural and financial resources can be reduced in other ways. There is enormous potential for savings, for example, in the evaluation of long-term data series from which action plans can be drawn up for different weather constellations.
State-of-the-art infrastructure does not necessarily mean maximum efficiency
Modern piste technology can reduce energy consumption but must account for various factors to achieve maximum efficiency. By optimizing existing infrastructure, ski areas can save up to 20% in resources and costs, with potential savings of up to 30% through strategic snowmaking adjustments without additional investments.
A state-of-the-art snowmaking infrastructure alone will not be sufficient in the long run.
Technology alone does not ensure snow security
Even the most advanced technology cannot create snow from nothing. Modern technology alone cannot solve the effects of climate change, such as delayed cold periods and fewer opportunities for snowfall, along with economic challenges like rising energy costs.
Current climatic and economic developments require ski resorts to adapt their methods and reconsider existing practices. Investing in new infrastructure without critical evaluation may lead to unfavorable situations that restrict future-oriented decisions. The negative impacts often become evident only after several seasons, when it is clear that the investments did not produce the desired results.
Sustainability is a mindset
Sustainability primarily depends on a mindset. It involves the willingness to alter standard working and thinking methods and be receptive to new ideas. Integrating new work processes into the company is effective only when there is a readiness for change. This motivation should be communicated from upper management through middle management to all employees.
The need for change is often not sufficiently recognized. Therefore, it is crucial to be completely transparent with employees from the beginning of the changeover process to avoid internal tensions and resistance to new ideas. Transparency ensures that decisions are understood, accepted, and implemented effectively and voluntarily.
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Future-proof through a forward-looking strategy
Evaluating your snowmaking and preparation processes is prudent rather than investing in new infrastructure. Most ski areas today collect substantial amounts of data, yet this information is often inadequately processed and analyzed. Properly managed data is crucial for ensuring long-term success during challenging times. Timely and well-prepared data not only ensures snow reliability under adverse weather conditions but also enhances slope quality and eases the daily tasks of the slope management team.
It is essential to define a precise strategy based on the data and key metrics collected, preparing the entire piste team for unforeseen circumstances. This approach effectively manages various weather scenarios and mitigates weather extremes. By integrating weather data from GeoSphere Austria, additional safety measures can be implemented, and technical snowmaking can be planned and executed forward-looking and resource-efficiently.
In the Interaction of Man, Technology, and Nature
The current challenges cannot be resolved by technology alone. An optimal balance between human intervention, technological advancements, and natural processes is essential for effective snowmaking, ensuring snow security in ski areas throughout the season. This balance is crucial for the economic viability of numerous ski resorts in the Alpine region.
Ski resorts situated below 1,000 meters above sea level, as well as those at medium altitudes up to 2,000 meters, must employ all available strategies to stay competitive over the next decade. Consequently, it is imperative that the appropriate decisions and precautions are taken now to secure their future sustainability.