Secrets to successfully storing snow in Lapland
Levi Foxfires- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Situated above the Arctic Circle, Lapland faces harsh winters with a lot of snowfall. During the winter months it's common for the snow level to increase by around 30 cm or more in just one day.
So why, in May after the winter season, does Levi ski resort need to collect snow?
Well, it doesn't need to but storing snow under insulated covers means that the resort can open the ski season (downhill and cross-country) as early as the start of October and also that there is a guaranteed snow for the World Cup Ski Race that is held in Levi in November. As you now know, we usually have our first snow of the season in mid October, however it’s not enough to ski on. The recycled snow acts as a perfect base for any new snow that comes.
How snow is collected?
When the resort closes in May, PistenBullys and excavators gather snow into big piles on a few ski slopes. This compacted snow is then covered with a special material to preserve it through the summer. We usually have mild summers so the big piles of snow don’t melt much. Currently snow is stored on the front slope, the world cup slope and one of the cross-country ski routes. In October the snow piles are uncovered and PistenBullys spread the preserved snow and make a ski slope.
Snow storage in Levi began in 2016, and each year, the resort has increased the amount stored. By summer 2024, Levi stored over 250,000 m³ of snow, with plans to store even more in the coming years.
Just in case the snow is late in coming, many of the slopes are equipped with snow making systems. On the front slope a new man-made glacier is also being made. This could mean in a few years time skiing is possible all year round.
Thank you for reading
Aggie, Paul & Gooseberry
