Snowmaking 4.0

Project description Snowmaking 4.0

A quantum leap for winter on the Pizol! With the "Snowmaking 4.0" project, the Pizolbahnen are ushering in a new era of snow reliability. The ski slopes from Maienberg via Furt, Gaffia, Pizolhütte, Laufböden, Pardiel, to Prodboden and Schwamm will in future be covered with a layer of artificial snow approximately 60 cm thick – and this will cover a slope width of approximately 30 meters.

The ambitious project encompasses everything necessary for modern, efficient snowmaking: the new Twärchamm reservoir as its centerpiece, an extensive pipeline system, pumping stations, snow guns, and other technical installations. The goal is to permanently secure winter sports on the Pizol, regardless of snow conditions, from the start of the season until the scheduled end in early April.

Phasing – Construction in high mountains requires precision

At 2,200 meters above sea level, construction times are short and conditions are challenging. Therefore, the project is being implemented in several, precisely coordinated phases. The reservoir near the Pizolhütte is at the center of this. It forms the basis of the entire system. The phases at a glance:

• Stage 4.1 (2023–2024): Construction of the reservoir including the Twärchamm pumping station and the pipeline network up to the top of the Schwammbahn
• Stage 4.2 (2024–2025): Pipeline system from the lake to the Gaffia
• Stage 4.3 (2025): Renewal of the Gaffia–Furt line including the Adler pumping station
• Stage 4.4 (time of implementation open): Optimisation of the Furt–Maienberg route including the Maienberg pumping station

First, all pipes and shafts will be laid and the water network will be set up, and then the individual sections will be successively equipped with snow guns (snow lances and fan guns).