Last week Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) spread snow stored on Tod Mountain along the lower half of the OSV trail to the Elevation lift base, preparing for this winter season with Snow Secure snow storage technology.
The system, recently recognized by Time magazine as one of the top 300 innovations of the year, aims to address early-season snow challenges while reducing energy and water consumption..
“We felt very confident partnering with Snow Secure,” Christina Antoniak, SPR’s director for brand and communication said. “They are innovative, collaborative and very pragmatic. Being their first North American partner was a proud moment for us.”
Snow stored last spring retained 80 to 85 per cent of its volume, a successful trial that sets the stage for potential expansion in coming seasons.
The stored snow is located along the race training run OSV, allowing SPR to open training facilities for athletes earlier than the general public.
How does Snow Secure work?
In essence, Snow Secure uses patented insulated mats to protect snow from melting during warmer months. Unlike other methods such as wood chips, these mats maintain a high retention rate and feature a real-time weather monitoring system, alerting staff to temperature fluctuations that could affect snow quality.
“The technology is energy efficient, reducing energy usage by up to 70 per cent compared to traditional snowmaking,” Snow Secure’s chief executive officer (CEO), Antti Lauslahti said. The process starts with determining how much snow the resort needs and then Snow Secure calculates the amount of material and the configuration required to meet that need. Snow Secure has been deployed in multiple European countries and is now expanding into North America, with Sun Peaks as its flagship partner. The company is taking a cautious, step-by-step approach to growth, prioritizing regions with high potential for return on investment and strong local partners.
By freeing up snowmaking equipment in the training areas, Sun Peaks can direct snow where it’s needed most.
“It’s not just about energy savings; it’s about using our resources more effectively so that everyone benefits. The stored snow allows us to focus our snowmaking on areas that serve the public while maintaining top-notch training facilities for athletes,” Antoniak said.
As Sun Peaks prepares to push out the stored snow this season, discussions are underway about expanding snow storage for future years. While the scale of expansion depends on operational considerations, early results indicate strong potential for growth, with Lauslahti visiting the resort this month.
The partnership between SPR and Snow Secure exemplifies how innovation, collaboration and forward-thinking technology can create sustainable solutions for ski resorts facing the realities of climate change.
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