Schnee der Zukunft

The snow of tomorrow is made today

Anyone who glides over freshly groomed slopes early in the morning experiences a feeling that is hard to beat: the soft surface, the quiet whisper beneath the skis, the crisp winter air. Yet this very experience is now more than ever at the center of change. The question is no longer simply whether enough snow will fall, but how winter sports can adapt to changing conditions.

Many destinations have long been working with highly advanced, energy-efficient, weather-dependent systems. Snowfarming, energy-efficient snowmaking and digital snow management have become key components that not only stabilize winter sports but also make them more sustainable. In Germany and neighboring countries, snowfarming is used to secure events and to enable the start of training operations in early winter.

Snowfarming – Turning summer into a snow reserve

Snowfarming may sound futuristic, but it is already a reality. Snow from the previous winter is conserved over the summer using covers, wood chips or specialized fleece materials. In early winter, this stored snow is available for a reliable start to training at domestic training centers and for safeguarding sporting events.

Why snowfarming is a game changer:

• Use of optimal time windows for snow production instead of unfavorable early-winter conditions

• Securing training opportunities at the start of the season, especially in Nordic disciplines such as cross-country skiing, sometimes avoiding long journeys to snow-reliable regions

• Safeguarding sporting events

Destinations such as Livigno, Davos and Oberstdorf already use this method successfully for cross-country trails, training slopes and World Cup courses. Snowfarming does not replace natural winter conditions—it provides a reliable foundation where snow is needed most, particularly for training and early-season events.

Energy-efficient snowmaking – High tech instead of high consumption

Snowmaking is one of the most debated topics in winter sports. Few people realize how much the technology has evolved in recent years.

New technologies enable:

• Up to 30% less energy per cubic meter of snow

• Weather-optimized production through automatic control systems

• Increasing use of renewable energy

• Targeted, highly precise snowmaking

While older systems often operated “just in case,” modern systems measure temperature windows and produce snow only when conditions are optimal—usually just below a wet-bulb temperature of –2 °C.

Facts that surprise many winter sports fans:

• Only about 1–2% of a region’s total water consumption is used for snowmaking

• Most of this water returns to the local water cycle as meltwater, albeit with a time delay

• Modern grooming machines distribute snow very precisely, reducing the need for production

• In Germany, Austria and Italy, artificially or technically produced snow consists solely of water atomized under pressure and contains no additives, which are prohibited by law

The result: less overproduction through targeted snowmaking, and reduced energy and water use.

Smart snow management – Digitalization for more efficient processes

The biggest leap in innovation lies in digitalization.

Many ski resorts now rely on:

• GPS-based snow depth sensors

• Real-time snow analysis

• Data-driven snowmaking planning

• Energy-optimized slope grooming

The effects:

• Less over-snowmaking

• Up to 25% less diesel consumption for grooming machines

• Significantly more consistent snow conditions for guests

• Optimized season starts and extensions

Snow management thus becomes a data-driven science, creating reliable conditions even in challenging winters.

How ski resorts are improving their energy and climate footprint

Ski resorts are simultaneously investing in innovative energy, machinery and grooming systems to make snow management increasingly resource-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Examples from the Alps include:

• Use of electric grooming machines and alternative fuels such as HVO

• Lift systems operating entirely on renewable electricity

• In-house water recovery systems

• Heat recovery from snowmaking installations

• Photovoltaic panels on lift stations

Many resorts already rely heavily on renewable energy and innovative approaches to reduce CO₂ emissions—combining winter sports with responsible energy management.

Professional winter sports benefit directly from modern snow technology

For World Cup teams, every snow day counts. Snowfarming and high-tech snowmaking are therefore standard on many training and race courses.

Examples:

• Cross-country trails in Oberstdorf regularly start the season using snowfarming

• The FIS increasingly uses digital snow measurement systems for events

• Compact, energy-optimized snowmaking significantly reduces the energy demand for race slopes

Here too, sustainability and performance go hand in hand. Professional winter sports demonstrate that responsible snow management is not an obstacle but a prerequisite for successful competitions. The goal is to enable peak performance and competitiveness while minimizing resource use and negative impacts.

What winter sports enthusiasts can do themselves

The good news is that skiers and winter sports fans can also help reduce emissions and act responsibly.

Our most effective levers:

• Choose travel times in the core winter season consciously (off-peak periods instead of peak times)

• Support ski resorts that operate transparently and sustainably

• Opt for longer stays rather than many short trips

• Use local mobility options such as ski buses or trains

Winter sports enthusiasts can be part of the solution—and directly help ensure that winter sports have a future.

Changing conditions pose challenges for winter sports—snow is a valuable resource that must be managed more intelligently. Snowfarming, modern snowmaking and digital snow management make winter sports more predictable, efficient and less harmful to the climate.

These technologies often operate behind the scenes, yet they are crucial to preserving the magic of a perfect ski day: fresh snow, clear air and that unique feeling of winter.

Sources (Selection)

– SLF Snowfarming Reports
– SnowSat Snow Depth Measurement
– TechnoAlpin Energy Efficiency Reports
– Davos Nordic / Oberstdorf Snowfarming Projects
– German Environment Agency – Water & Energy Use in Snowmaking
– FIS Sustainability & Event Guidelines
– Studies on Alpine Snow Systems (DACH/ITA)