Carezza Gearing Up For "Green" World Cup
The FIS Snowboard alpine World Cup will be making its annual visit to the Dolomites again this season with PGS action set to hit Carezza (ITA) on Decemeber 19, and event organisers are keen to highlight their venue's eco-conscious efficiency in a location that has been long designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Carezza features a state-of-the-art snowmaking system that, once temperatures drop to -10c, is capable of covering the entire ski area to a workable depth in just 80 hours. And, with an ideal slope situation and careful maintanence, suitable snow conditions are able to last until March or early April.
On top of this, the snow making system is fed by a purpose-built basin which Carezza states is “the largest, most modern and environmentally friendly in South Tyrol," ensuring that water resources for other needs are not effected. An automatic system ensures the snow cannons can be more efficient and therefore consume less energy, with 200 snow cannons spread around the 40 kilometres of black, red and blue slopes, terrain park and three children's ski parks, which are all serviced by 14 ski lifts.
On top of this, Carezza is unique for switching off the lifts when there aren’t as many people on hill (instead using the same shuttle that is used for competition days), reducing waste through the use of reusable tableware, and for using digital communication instead of classic paper advertising.
FIS Snowboard assistant race director Peter Krogell was in Carezza last week for meetings with the local organising team, including Anna Pfeifer of the Carezza Ski Consortium, as well as the president of the organising committee Andreas Obkircher, and all parties on site were keen to point out the exceptional measures undertaken by Carezza to put on the most efficient and eco-friendly World Cup possible.
"The organisation is perfect and we don't want to change anything," said Krogell, "And because Carezza is a location with an optimal snow-making system, we would like to export the ‘green’ project of Carezza to our other venues around the world."
Obkircher agreed with Krogoll: "We are defining the last details with the FIS, our partnership is long-lasting and they know how we work. The race is scheduled a week later than usual and we are proud of our 'green' initiative. We also want to highlight the collaboration with Red Bull on Saturday and Sunday, something new this year”.
All that remains is to turn the snow cannons on as soon as the temperature drops with respect for the environment, because in this corner of South Tyrol even winter is ‘green.' The Carezza Dolomites ski area between Val d'Ega and Val di Fassa – at the foot of Catinaccio and Latemar – is the perfect place for all winter sports lovers and on the ‘Pra di Tori’ slope fans will have the chance to enjoy a snowboard weekend full of champions.
The opening ceremony at the FIS Snowboard parallel giant slalom World Cup Carezza is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday December 18, while on Thursday morning there will be the qualification and seeding runs, before finals of the FIS Snowboard PGS World Cup for both women and men take place on Thursday afternoon.
