Snowfactory Trial Begins At Cairngorm Mountain
The trial of the Snowfactory at CairnGorm Mountain Ltd has begun. Operational staff at the resort are currently receiving training on the Snowfactory from TechnoAlpin who designed and installed the technology.
The trial will last for two months and is the first use of the technology in Scotland. It is hoped that the Snowfactory will provide guaranteed snow cover. The initial objective, is to produce a beginners’ area for teaching, approximately 60 metres long and 30 metres wide.
Janette Jansson, General Manager at CairnGorm Mountain Ltd announced: “We are delighted to take delivery of the Snowfactory machine earlier this week, and the whole team are really looking forward to having the machine in action for the two-month trial. It’s all looking promising for this winter season.”
With the recent snowfall, CairnGorm Mountain was able to open for skiing on 30th November and welcome more than 840 skiers. The funicular opened for skier and snowboarder uplift as well as the polar express and sunkid tow. The Traverse Cas Zigzag, the Home Road and lower slopes runs were all open. High northerly winds and heavy snow are expected this week so the team at CairnGorm Mountain will be working harder than ever to try and stay open.
The technology behind Snowfactory is revolutionary. It is a containerised, mobile cooling plant which connects to an electricity and water supply. The snow is made from small dry ice flakes after cooling water to freezing point. It is then pumped out through a snow outlet pipe. The Snowfactory is capable of producing 45 tonnes of snow a day which can be pumped and sprayed a distance of up to 200m.
The trial will also be an opportunity to really understand how the technology performs, review its suitability for the terrain and crucially, gather feedback from skiers and snowboarders. If this trial is successful then the company will explore introducing the technology on a permanent basis at CairnGorm Mountain. Highland Council have granted permission for the Snowfactory to remain on site for one year.
