Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America

Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.

Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America.

Snow is what makes or breaks a ski resort. Before we used to ‘chance’ it and knew that usually you get snow starting at so many meters for sure, and if you have snow below this line, that was great. Over the years, what Brits would call a ‘snow sure’ resort due to altitude, maybe did not have snow at all. I am getting now 50 years old, and I do remember that in 7 years span, maybe you get one or two that you ask yourself –‘what happened with winter??’

Demaclenko pumping snow in El Colorado. Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.
Demaclenko pumping snow in El Colorado. Demaclenko snow systems brings the snow to South America. Photo: Demaclenko.

I used to stage some events in South America, more specifically in Las Leñas, and the lack of snow made me cancel these events twice. I am talking of the South American Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding Championships. The last time was terrible because we had so much media onboard and so much buzz was building around the events, that when there was no snow and I had to cancel everything, the media people working with me told me I have sold them a bubble of air! It was not intended, obviously. We also got two Seat cars as prize for the competitors- anyways, that was the last event I’ve tried to stage!

Last year Las Leñas and Portillo had to close on early September due to a bad snow season. I have written already how Portillo has now invested in snow-making by TechnoAlpin. Cerro Bayo, another boutique resort more south in the Argentine Patagonia’s Lake Region, has also invested with TechnoAlpin.

The other big company we know about is Demaclenko, also located in the Sudtirol province of Italy. You know that the area of the Sella Ronda has very good snowmaking, having these two companies on site.

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$2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort

Castle Mountain Resort. $2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort.

$2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort

From CTV News

Castle Mountain Resort will be investing $2 million in investment. This is coming from a 2017 development plan. The investment will be done to improve the facilities for the upcoming season.

Snowmaking will be added in three areas: on the Huckleberry terrain pod, on the Whiskey Jack run and on the base area.

For the very first time there will be a natural gas pipeline installed to bring service to the resort.

Castle Mountain Resort. $2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort.
Castle Mountain Resort. $2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort.

These upgrades will bring more consistent snow conditions throughout the resort and will allow them to open some pre-season training for different user groups.

Also, the resort will be able to open one week earlier due to this snowmaking and to stay opened into April.

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What is new at Ski Portillo – expanded snowmaking, room renovations and special weeks

What is new at Ski Portillo – expanded snowmaking, room renovations and special weeks. Photo: Adam Clark. Ski Portillo.

What is new at Ski Portillo – expanded snowmaking, room renovations and special weeks

Ski Portillo is starting its 70th ski season in June. They are expecting to open, if snow arrives and snowmaking starts soon, on June 22 and close on October 5.

This year Ski Portillo has invested in new snowmaking. Portillo has invested US$ 3.5 Million dollars in an expanded snowmaking system. They are adding 25 automated snow machines – both fixed and mobile – so they can now cover more than 25 acres of terrain including nine runs (David’s run, Princesa, Conejo, Corralito, Plateau, Cumbre, Escuela I, II and III).

Ski Portillo with a TechnoAlpin fan gun. What is new at Ski Portillo – expanded snowmaking, room renovations and special weeks.
Ski Portillo with a TechnoAlpin fan gun. What is new at Ski Portillo – expanded snowmaking, room renovations and special weeks.

“Portillo is upgrading its snowmaking system to ensure good conditions at the beginning and end of the season even in low snow years. There is so much that is new in snowmaking, and we want to have the best and most environmentally friendly system available.” – Henry & Miguel Purcell

Ski Portillo has chosen TechnoAlpin for this project. In the future it will be possible to cover the entire surface of the slopes with snow within 70 hours – a fivefold increase in output. The entire water management system has been extended and automated to this end.

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Sierra Nevada: Cetursa approves an investment of 10 million for the next season and addresses the installation of a new ski lift

Archive Cetursa Sierra Nevada.Sierra Nevada: Cetursa approves an investment of 10 million for the next season and addresses the installation of a new ski lift.

Sierra Nevada: Cetursa approves an investment of 10 million for the next season and addresses the installation of a new ski lift

  • The board of directors of the company gives the green light to the purchase 33 last-generation snow ‘cannons’, to the digital renewal of the station, and the introduction of improvements in customer services
  • The company, in the framework of the actions for the reordering of Borreguiles, addresses the replacement of one of the chairlifts in that area by an eight-seater-chairlift.
Administrative Council of CETURSA in meeting. Sierra Nevada: Cetursa approves an investment of 10 million for the next season and addresses the installation of a new ski lift. Photo: CETURSA.
Administrative Council of CETURSA in meeting. Sierra Nevada: Cetursa approves an investment of 10 million for the next season and addresses the installation of a new ski lift. Photo: CETURSA.

The board of directors of Cetursa Sierra Nevada SA today approved an investment of more than 10 million euros for the 2019/20 season, which, among other actions, will finance the purchase of 33 last-generation snow cannons, and has agreed to study the formula to install a new eight-seater chairlift in Borreguiles to replace one of the old ones (Emile Allais).

The investment for this season, with own funds of Cetursa Sierra Nevada, is the largest in the last decade and also includes a new boost to the digital transformation of the company (web, trade centre, external information, mobile application, customer service , among other actions) in order to more effective attention and communication with the user of the station.

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Snowmaking Operations Underway at Aspen Snowmass for the 2018-19 Season

Ajax - Aspen Mountain Snowmaking -picture by Dan Bayer. Aspen Skiing Company. Snowmaking Operations Underway at Aspen Snowmass for the 2018-19 Season

Snowmaking Operations Underway at Aspen Snowmass for the 2018-19 Season

 Up to 11 Inches of New Snow in the Last 48 Hours

ASPEN SNOWMASS, Colo.—Nov. 1, 2018—Last night, Aspen Snowmass officially kicked-off snowmaking operations in preparation for the 2018-19 season. With the necessary sustained cool temperatures, the snow guns were fired-up starting the highly-anticipated countdown to the ski/ride season. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass are scheduled to open Nov. 22 followed by Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Dec. 8.

A lonely snowmaker working in Ajax. Photo: Dan Bayer. Aspen Skiing Company. Snowmaking Operations Underway at Aspen Snowmass for the 2018-19 Season
A lonely snowmaker working in Ajax. Photo: Dan Bayer. Aspen Skiing Company. Snowmaking Operations Underway at Aspen Snowmass for the 2018-19 Season

“All of our systems are tested and ready and you should hear the sounds of snowmaking on the streets of Aspen. Bootpacking has started, our maintenance projects are wrapping up and our teams are preparing the mountains for opening day,” says Katie Ertl, senior vice president of mountain operations for Aspen Snowmass.

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