Industry News
Austria’s Pass Thurn ski area has not received any snow yet for the ski season. Luckily, the resort allowed skiers to ski in late October and start the season on snow from last season.
The ski area, located near Kitzbühel, is 4,180 feet in elevation. Although the area does not typically experience early-season snow, Pass Thurn is exceptional at snow preservation. The resort utilizes high-tech foil sheets to recycle and protect snow, allowing skiers to hit the slopes on October 30.
Pass Thurn’s geological factors also contribute to its snow conservation. The north aspect of the mountain gets very little sunlight, according to Gear Junkie. Therefore, the location allows the mountain to cover the snow with an insulation layer to preserve the snow over the summer. The ski area’s manager reported that the process can protect up to 90% of the total snow mass over the summer.
Unfortunately, the snow preserved is not pounds of powder, but in reality, only 19-30 inches of compact grooming. Still, skiing early in the season is sometimes hard to find, so any mountain open for business is a gem.
The demand for early skiing can be seen through a busy day at Pass Thurn. On one of the early season ski days, Pass Thurn attracted skiers from all over the world, including the Indian National Team, who hoped to train for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The unique procedure Pass Thurn follows allows for worldwide recognition and precious time for skiers everywhere. With the technology Pass Thurn uses, it’s safe to wonder what other hills may start doing to bring forward the season start?
