Snowfarming
Ramsau am Dachstein has been actively snowfarming since the winter of 2013. A large pile of snow is produced or collected every year and covered at the end of the winter. The idea behind this is that the snow left over from the previous winter can be used again the following year.
Active snow management
In snow farming, the snow is stored under a layer of wood chips without the use of chemicals. To prevent the rain from melting the snow and to provide better protection from the sun's rays, a white protective film is also used. With appropriate preservation, up to 80 percent of the snow volume is retained. This means that the first trails can be prepared in the cross-country stadium as early as the beginning/mid-November. The storage of snow and ice dates back to the 18th century. At that time, so-called ice cellars were built to ensure a constant supply of ice during the summer months. Ramsau's approach is of course different. The tourism experts know that producing snow in January and February requires much less energy than in November and December. So why let it melt? Active snow management for the sake of the environment is the motto.
