Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Snowless ski resort turns to desperate measures to cover bare slopes in Austria

Creative approach employed to counter result of unseasonably mild weather

Kate Ng
Sunday 10 January 2016 13:56 EST
Comments
Skiers try and stay on the thin makeshift snow track
Skiers try and stay on the thin makeshift snow track (YouTube/The Local)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A ski resort in Austria has been forced to adopt some unusual methods to make up for the lack of snow on its Alpine slopes.

Video shows the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser in the Brixental Valley using snow cannons to try and create more snow by spraying a fine mist into the air.

The new snow is then seen being pushed down the slope in a thin track for skiers gathering at the top of the otherwise sparse mountainside.

Snow cannons are used to try and make more snow for skiers
Snow cannons are used to try and make more snow for skiers (YouTube/The Local)

The video then pans over to a helicopter, which can be seen carrying fresh snow from high altitude snowfields, according to media outlet The Local.

The snow from the helicopter is carried down towards the bottom of the slope, presumably to provide skiers wobbling down the track with a soft landing.

A helicopter is seen bringing fresh snow to the slope
A helicopter is seen bringing fresh snow to the slope (YouTube/The Local)

According to The Local, Skiwelt’s managers said the track is crucial to link one part of the resort to another.

They said they were forced to keep the route open to allow 25,000 skiers and holidaymakers to reach different parts of the resort, and tha their main aim was to ensure enjoyment of the slope.

With temperatures aboves the seasonal average across Europe, some ski resorts have reported an 11% drop in business.

“Because of the mild weather, even snow technology could not be used to the usual extent,” Andreas Keller, of the Swiss cable car association, told the Financial Times.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in