TechnoAlpin: Summer Peak In Project Management - Major Projects In Full Swing

Each snowmaking system is unique and is individually designed in a detailed planning process. After the customer has placed the order, TechnoAlpin's project managers are responsible for the operational project management. They take care of everything from the implementation planning and ordering the necessary materials to the construction work and commissioning of the new system. At the same time, they form the interface between the customer, the various internal departments and the commissioned subcontractors.

Now, in the summer months, the ski resorts are at their busiest: water pipes, air lines, power and data cables have to be laid, storage ponds built, shafts positioned and snow guns installed to ensure smooth snowmaking operations in time for the start of the winter season. It is also an intensive time for the more than 40 project managers at TechnoAlpin.

Antoine Pauly and Fabian Pichler are responsible for two of the largest orders this year.

Antoine is based in the French TechnoAlpin branch in Dardilly and from there he oversees the four construction sites of the Aramon ski resort group in Spain: Formigal, Panticosa, Cerler and Javalambre-Valdelinares. The project includes the modernization of the existing snowmaking systems and their expansion to new slopes. A total of 15 kilometers of slopes will be equipped with the high-quality Alpinal pipes as well as power and data cables. Around 70 snow guns from the TT series and 360 lances from the TL series will be delivered for this purpose. In addition, three new pumping stations will be built this year and next year and existing ones expanded.

"At the moment we are in the process of delivering all the line material to the Aramon ski resorts. Around 5 fully loaded trucks arrive in the four different locations every week. Construction will begin soon," says Antoine, describing the status quo of the project. "At the beginning of August the snow guns will also leave the production facility in Bolzano and be delivered to Spain."

Meanwhile, Fabian Pichler is also working on a very large project in the Kopaonik ski resort in Serbia. A new reservoir with a capacity of 120,000 m³ and a pumping station with a capacity of 470 l/s is being built here. The existing snowmaking system is being expanded and at the same time some minor renovation work is being carried out on the existing system.

"In May, we started excavating the reservoir, and the pumping station building has been under construction since the beginning of June. In the meantime, we are in the process of delivering all the line material to the ski area," says Fabian about the schedule. "The aim is to carry out the hydraulic and then the electrical installation of the pumping station from the beginning of September, so that the snowmaking system can be put into operation and handed over to the customer in mid-November."

The two of them talk enthusiastically about their work and are always particularly excited about large-scale projects. "Our tasks on such large-scale projects are very exciting and varied, because everything is involved, from planning to building pumping stations, reservoirs and much more," says Fabian Pichler.

At the same time, the work involves a lot of responsibility. According to Antoine Pauly, everyone involved must be very well coordinated to ensure that the project runs smoothly and on schedule.

The two are pleased that everything is going according to plan so far and are confident that the work can be successfully completed in the autumn.