From avalanche research to aircraft de-icing.
When skiing in the Alps, riding a modern lift up to the mountain top, skating on an ice rink, or flying through a snowstorm, we would never think about the sophisticated engineering systems that ensure our safety in the background. Yet we encounter this technology in many areas where we least expect it.1. Avalanche research with laboratory precision
At the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Vallée de la Sionne, Switzerland, they don't run away from avalanches, they deliberately study them. Sensors integrated into barriers and measuring stations installed on the mountainside record the movement of tons of snow, the forces involved, the speed, and the temperature. Meanwhile, Siemens devices collect and synchronize the data in real time. The measurement results obtained under extreme conditions are used directly to develop avalanche prediction models, which play a key role in protecting alpine infrastructure and saving human lives. The measurement system can be monitored remotely, allowing researchers to analyze avalanche behavior from a safe environment instead of dangerous mountainsides.2. Snow load measurement and alarm
Powder snow weighs a few dozen kilograms per square meter, while compacted, wet snow can weigh several hundred kilograms. In large buildings such as airports, logistics centers, or shopping malls, compacted snow and meltwater can therefore cause extreme static loads. The tbm hightech control snow load monitoring system is based on a controller familiar from factories and measures the actual weight on the roof in real time. The technology sends an automatic alarm before the building reaches its critical load limit, thus preventing accidents and serious damage.
3. Controlling snowmaking machines
Due to climate change, the natural snowfall season is becoming shorter and more unpredictable. Even a few degrees of temperature increase can significantly impair snow quality, which poses a challenge for ski resort operators. This is why precisely controlled, continuous snow production has become crucial. In Supersnow's snowmaking systems, well-known automation solutions coordinate water, air, and pressure control and optimize snow production based on meteorological data. The goal is to produce the maximum amount of snow of the right quality in the shortest possible cold period, with minimal energy and water consumption. Intelligent control monitors environmental parameters in real time, and some ski resorts are already using predictive algorithms to adjust snow production to the weather.
4. Cutting-edge technology in ski lifts
38 heated, eight-person seats, up to 3,600 passengers per hour. The Snow Space Salzburg Sonntagskogelbahn lift is based on control technology that continuously optimizes operation and energy consumption. For example, the intelligent boarding system automatically adjusts the height of the moving walkway to the smallest passenger, thus increasing safety and passenger comfort. Siemens drive technology and frequency converters not only guarantee uninterrupted operation, but also enable significant energy savings through direct drive and optimized power control. The integrated automation platform allows the entire control system to be programmed and monitored in a single environment, making the lift more energy-efficient, reliable and easier to operate.
5. Planned avalanche blasting at temperatures as low as -40 degrees
In alpine ski areas, avalanche protection often begins with controlled blasting. Safety controls via mobile networks control the blasting devices, which operate reliably even in extreme cold. Autonomous systems powered by solar panels and batteries trigger avalanches before they become dangerous.
6. Invisible safety in the air
Icing is one of the most critical safety risks in aviation, which can quickly impair aerodynamic performance and aircraft controllability. Siemens simulation solutions support the development of modern de-icing and anti-icing systems that prevent ice from forming on wings and engine intakes. The combination of digital modeling and physical testing allows these systems to be optimized during the development phase so that aircraft can operate reliably even in extremely cold conditions.7. Winter sports
In competitive sports today, it is no longer the athlete who adapts to the equipment, but rather the equipment that adapts to the athlete. Swiss Stöckli skis are made using design software that allows for digital modeling of the entire structure of the skis, from geometry to multi-layer material structure. Based on measurement and design data, the skis can be adapted to the athlete's weight, technical skills, and skiing style. The digital development process has also significantly accelerated innovation: a new ski model variant can now be designed in as little as an hour.
However, optimizing sports performance is no longer limited to equipment. In modern ice rinks, Siemens automation systems regulate the temperature of the ice surface within an extremely narrow range of up to half a degree Celsius, ensuring ideal rink conditions and energy-efficient operation. The ice surface is cooled using CO₂-based technology, which, as a natural and environmentally friendly refrigerant, can improve energy efficiency by up to 20 percent, while the control system adjusts the cooling capacity to the ideal ice conditions for the sport in question.