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The best snowmaking facilities in Europe?
13-Sep-2015
The first signs of snow came this week as Val Thorens got an early dusting of snow but at the back of every skier's mind at this time of year is the thought 'will there be snow for the start of the season?' Last winter was no exception with lower resorts unable to open due to lack of snow however our resorts all had access to skiing right from the start of the season due to the excellent snowmaking facilities in both the 3 Valleys and Espace Killy ski areas.
Val d'Isere
Val has the largest snowmaking facility in Europe known as 'Le Snow Factory' based in a giant hangar to the side of the Olympique Gondola. The factory came on stream in the nick of time last December, pumping out sufficient snow to fill an Olympic-sized swimming-pool in 30 minutes, to cover Wembley stadium to a depth of half a metre in just 60 minute, and the whole Bellevarde mountain that towers above it in less than a week! Le Snow Factory was developed almost entirely in Val d'Isere with only the cannon nozzles coming from Canada.
In addition to this Val d'Isere has installed another new snow making facility to cover the new Solaise development, bringing cover to the new beginners area that is being developed at the top of the Solaise ift.
Courchevel & La Tania
The Courchevel valley alone has 588 snowmakers covering a whopping 60% of the ski area, this season sees the addition of 10 new cannons in the Moriond ski area which is great news for our guests. Across the whole 3 Valleys area there are more than 1500 snow cannons, that's a lot of artificial snow coverage!
Rumour has it however that all these brilliant snow making facilities might not get much use this season, apparently the Gentianes were taller than ever this summer. You know what they say tall Gentianes equals big winter snow - here's hoping!