Snow maintenance: Snow farming in Switzerland

In Switzerland, preparations for cross-country skiing are in full swing. That means re-distributing large amounts of snow from last winter.

In Davos, in the Swiss Alps the first cross-country ski trail will soon open, covering about 2.5 miles. This is only possible with snow that was produced last winter and stored over the summer.

This week, crews have begun to clear the sawdust from large snow deposits set up last winter.

Sawdust deposits kept the snow intact, as it slows the rate of snow melt, rather than using any chemicals. Covering the snow preserves about 80% of the snow volume over the summer

The 1-foot layer of sawdust also provides excellent insulation for the snow underneath. It protects it from direct sunlight, but also evaporation from the wet sawdust produces evaporative cooling, helping to keep the snow cold.

As a result of Davos being pioneers in snow farming, the cross-country season can begun early, regardless of autumn temperatures.

In addition to the Swiss cross-country locals, twelve national teams come to train on the Davos trail, owing to its challenging climbs and descents.