The SnowWorld group, which operates nine indoor snow centres across France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands is making numerous initiatives towards its goal of being completely climate and energy neutral by 2030.

These include installing tens of thousands of solar panels on the rooves of many of its centres, using electric snow groomers as well as low energy snowmaking from TechnoAlpin, buying in wind-generated power and many other initiatives.

One of these is a groundbreaking project “Circular Snowing”, an innovative system, largely developed at SnowWorld’s Zoetermeer site where the company has its roots.

Circular Snowing aims to transform traditional indoor snow production into a circular process. Where previously all snow was removed from the slopes in its entirety every summer and melted in the open air, a circular approach is to be used.

By using residual heat for the melting process while retaining the cold energy in the snow and recycled water, SnowWorld can re-produce snow without water loss or energy waste.

The new system works by refreshing the snow in smaller quantities at high frequency, instead of driving the entire slope empty once a year. Using a snow melting machine, the snow is converted into water, which can be reused directly for new snow production. This prevents the loss of cold air as the door remains closed, retains the cold energy present in existing snow, which makes the production very energy efficient.

This process not only reduces the environmental impact but also ensures a more consistent quality of snow throughout the year. This allows the group to offer slope users a much more consistent quality of snow, as they perform snow refreshment throughout the year instead of just once a year.