Tyrolean Pipes Installs Environmentally Friendly Snowmaking Pipes At Planneralm

The Planneralm ski area in Styria, located at 1600 to 2000 meters above sea level, with its five lifts, 16 kilometers of slopes and 25 hectares of slopes, is a Mecca for natural snow lovers. In order to guarantee the guests unique snow quality in the future (especially in the pre-season), a new snow-making system was put into operation in autumn 2020. An innovative, ecological and energy-efficient overall concept was at the forefront of all considerations, which is why Tirolerrohr GmbH (TRM) was selected as a partner for the pipe system area.

The Tyrolean family business scores with the use of recycled steel scrap as the starting material for its ductile iron pipes and produces exclusively in Austria. The pipe manufacturer also complies with the overall ecological concept by recycling “waste products” such as waste heat that is fed into the local district heating network. In addition, the innovative cables from the heart of the Alps are ideally suited for use in snow-making systems due to their high pressure resistance. 

For this construction project, TRM is supplying almost 9,000 meters of pipes in nominal sizes from DN80 to DN300. The client, Planneralm BetriebsgmbH, invested around € 5.5 million in the project. On a slope area of ​​20 hectares, 27 cannons will be in action for the first time in winter 2020/2021. The water for the highly energy-efficient snow guns comes from an extensive pipe system from a snow-making pond with a capacity of almost 50,000m³. This is filled to 100% from melt water and is very energy-efficient due to its high location (because less pumping power); 

Furthermore, the remaining energy requirement is covered 100% from green electricity. When installing the snow pipeline network, a good 100 snow hydrants will be installed as a connection option for the snow cannons. The experienced planning office Zöschg & Groß GmbH was the  general planner, the storage pond and pipeline construction were carried out by Gebr. Haider. 

The required power lines were laid by Karl Pitzer GmbH. This is filled to 100% from melt water and is very energy-efficient due to its high location (because less pumping power); Furthermore, the remaining energy requirement is covered 100% from green electricity. When installing the snow pipeline network, a  100 snow hydrants will be installed as a connection option for the snow cannons.