J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

The Austrian resort of Söll has started construction of a small hydropower plant on the local Stampfanger stream, which will cover around 25% of its annual energy requirements from this coming December 2024. The €2.5m project will deliver1,500,000 kW/h of green power annually.

Söll's lift company (Bergbahnen Söll), part of the SkiWelt, one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, has been working to switch to green energy generated on site for more than 35 years now.

A heat recovery system was installed for the first time back in 1988, and was modernised in 2020. In 2006, district heating was connected to a local wood chip heating plant, followed by pellet heating for the ski area's workshops in 2009.

Since 2016, a GPS-controlled snow depth measurement system has been in use at Bergbahnen Söll, as in the entire SkiWelt, to conserve energy and water resources. Whether in the past or today, how sustainable ski operations can be harmonised in the best possible way, both in terms of ecology and economy, is firmly anchored in the corporate philosophy of Bergbahnen Söll and the other SkiWelt mountain railway companies.

"Energy self-sufficient operation - with the construction of our small hydropower plant, we are taking a big step in this direction! For this reason, Bergbahnen Söll has taken the opportunity to invest in a small hydroelectric power plant right next to the valley station," says Mario Gruber, Managing Director of Bergbahnen Söll.

Following the positive decisions by the state and the Kufstein district authority, construction work could begin at the beginning of June 2024. According to planning, commissioning is scheduled for December 2024.

Further e-charging stations are planned directly at the valley station of the Söll cable cars, which can also be supplied with electricity from the small hydroelectric power station.

When it comes to big rock and pop stars performing in the Alps, Ischgl has long been the first place you think of with their famed Top of the mountain concerts, which used to close out their season in May, but now start their season too whilst the end has grown into a month long festival.

They now have competition from Schladming however, which began its season last winter with two nights of Robbie Williams performing. This year they've announced plans to go one better with a three night opening festival featuring three pop and rock stars playing successive evenings. They hope that'll attract 45,000 people to stay and ski there.

Bryan Adams, Sting and Simply Red attended a launch event for what is being billed as the 'Ski Opening - The Grand Festival' from 6-8 December.

Bryan Adams will open the series of concerts on Friday, 6 December. He will perform his hits as well as songs from his new album, which he wrote during the pandemic. Sting will then perform some of his hits with his new band on Saturday 7 December. Simply Red's Mick Hucknall is celebrating his 40th stage anniversary and will be going on tour so fans can get a foretaste on 8 December in Schladming.

Special packages including tickets and accommodation in the region are available directly from Schladming-Dachstein: www.schladming-dachstein.at/skiopening

A snowsports coach and a ski book author have got together to launch as study into the fears that can stop some of us enjoying snowsports to the full, or at all.

Author and Illustrator of 'Ski A to Z' Kimberley Kay returned to skiing after ACL reconstruction surgery, but found she was experienced concerns and fears around the sport not previously felt, and gained an understanding and respect for how such feelings can affect not only enjoyment but involvement in snowsports.

Kimberley put a call out on social media for people to share their fears and received a rush of responses from people eager to share their stories. Whilst visiting The Hill, home of Ski Rossendale in Lancashire, to observe the weekly coached women's ski sessions Kimberley spoke to Snowsport England coach Dr Carol Porter about the need to understand and reduce this barrier to snowsports enjoyment.

Now the two have launched a research project to understand fears and anxieties that skiers and snowboarders experience, which may be barriers to snowsport participation and enjoyment.

As the first part of the project skiers and snowboarders are invited to complete a short survey to 'get under the skin' of what makes make people feel uncomfortable, anxious or fearful when participating in snowsports.

The survey takes just 2 - 3 minutes to complete and can be found here
https://bit.ly/4aJ6NGm

The survey is open to all and the results will be anonymised.

The quantitative survey data will be complemented by qualitative data from case study interviews with the coaching group that Dr Carol Porter runs at The Hill. Results will be presented in the lead up to the 24/25 ski season in order to seek solutions to the key issues that emerge from the research project.

Dr Carol Porter explained: "An initial survey will gain insights into what fears, anxieties and concerns skiers and snowboarders experience. Using this data we will seek solutions and expert interventions to find ways to address these fears."

Jade Gerrard, Head of Sports Development at Snowsport England, said: "Participation and inclusivity are key pillars of the Snowsport England strategy so we are interested to see the data and points raised by the survey and project. We hope to be able to use this information to understand how to aid enjoyment of snowsports."

Kimberley said, "Thanks to everyone who completes the survey, just taking a couple of moments to share their experiences and viewpoint will help the wider snowsports community through this project."

The increasingly common trend of forest fires threatening ski resorts in recent years, which has seen ski areas in Australia, Spain and the US severely damaged by fires, is beginning to make its presence felt for 2024 now too.

The fires, which started on June 17th, have so far burnt 25,000 acres, killed at least two people, destroyed over 1,400 buildings and led to over 10,000 people being forced to evacuate their homes in the ski town of Ruidoso in New Mexico.

The local Ski Apache ski area suspended summer operations as the fire came perilously close last week. The resort had already suspended its planned summer opening in May due to a previous wildfire.

"For the safety of our visitors and staff Ski Apache will be CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, Due to proximity of South Fork wildfire," a post on the resort's website advises.

It has suffered serious damage over the past week including the destruction of the Alto Ski Shop and Bar and the Swiss Chalet Inn hotel, established in the early 1960s, both located in Alto, just north of Ruidoso, which was completely consumed by the raging wildfire. The ski shops owners say they will rebuild.

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible for the fires.

Major thunderstorms temporarily cut off Zermatt by road and rail and led Tignes to delay its summer ski season opening this weekend.

The Swiss government's weather service said 124 mm (4.88 in) of rain had fallen around the Matterhorn on Friday, most of it over a one-hour period, with the greatest impact on the town of Misox at the base of the mountain, where there people are missing after floodwaters raged through.

Road and rail access to Zermatt were suspended, reminiscent of when the famous ski resort is occasionally cut off in winter by high avalanche danger. People in the village were asked to stay indoors after 5pm on Friday with a 'water alarm'. Zermatt's summer ski operations were also suspended.

The situation began improving yesterday evening however. A partially resumed rail service, including a replacement buses running from Täsch to Visp, went into operation and the road between Täsch and Visp reopened to traffic again at 8 p.m.

In France, Tignes, which had been due to commence a month-long summer ski season on Saturday announced it was delaying after the Friday storms. It will now open its slopes next Saturday the 29th.