Swiss Ski Resort Looks to Snowmaking Pipes as Firefighting Tool

As the summer sun beats down on the Swiss Alps, the ski resort of Adelboden-Lenk is exploring an unconventional use for its snowmaking equipment: fighting wildfires.

With glaciers retreating and snowfall becoming less reliable, the resort now relies on artificial snow for an estimated 70% of its slopes. This system requires a vast network of underground pipes, pumps, and water reservoirs that could be repurposed during the dry summer months.

Jürg Klopfenstein, who manages the resort's snowmaking operations, says the infrastructure could assist firefighters. While the snow cannons themselves have limited use, the water reservoirs and pipe network could be crucial. Helicopters could refill their water tanks from the reservoirs, and the system could be used to create wet buffer zones to slow the advance of flames.

Switzerland has so far avoided large-scale fires this year, but drought conditions have led authorities to assess wildfire risk as high across most of the country, including the Bern region. The Bernese Oberland, where Adelboden is located, is a popular summer destination for hikers and mountain bikers, increasing the potential impact of any fire.

Stefan Buchs, operations manager at the resort, notes that the fire risk in the Alps differs from southern Europe due to varied vegetation and soil moisture. However, he acknowledges that widespread wildfires are a likely scenario, and local firefighters are already concerned about the dryness.

Mayor Willy Schranz emphasized the need for preparedness, stating that this summer will likely not be the last of its kind. However, climate expert Nathan Solothurnmann of Greenpeace cautions that such adaptations are only a temporary measure. He points out that most of Switzerland lacks the buried infrastructure needed to fight forest fires, and that these systems only provide short-term relief against the larger changes driven by climate change.