Alpine Resort Eyes Snowmaking System as New Tool Against Wildfires

The Adelboden-Lenk ski area in the Bernese Oberland is preparing to repurpose its snowmaking network for wildfire suppression. The resort’s underground water pipes, reservoirs and pumps—normally used to produce artificial snow—could be redirected to create wet buffer zones and refill firefighting helicopters during the dry summer months.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

Glacier retreat and erratic snowfall have reduced natural snow cover across the Alps, a trend attributed to climate change. Mid-altitude resorts such as Adelboden-Lenk, whose slopes span 1,000–2,300 m, now rely heavily on artificial snow; the resort estimates roughly 70 % of its skiable surface is man-made. The same climate pressures have heightened drought conditions and raised the risk of forest fires throughout Switzerland.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires Top 9 Non-Megapass Ski Resorts in the Alps Euronews

• Jürg Klopfenstein – Head of snowmaking operations.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• Stefan Buchs – Operations manager for summer activities.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• Willy Schranz – Mayor of Adelboden.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• Nathan Solothurnmann – Climate-change expert with Greenpeace.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• About 210 snow cannons and 50 snow lances linked by kilometres of underground water pipes.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• Reservoirs collect rain and meltwater during warmer months, supplying the system throughout the ski season.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• The ski area offers roughly 200 km (125 mi) of pistes.

Top 9 Non-Megapass Ski Resorts in the Alps

Jürg Klopfenstein explained that while the snow cannons themselves are unsuitable for direct fire suppression, the water infrastructure can support firefighting efforts, allowing helicopters to refill tanks from the resort’s reservoirs and enabling the pipe network to spray water onto vegetation.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

Stefan Buchs cautioned that the Alpine environment differs from fire-prone landscapes of southern Europe.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

Mayor Willy Schranz stressed the need for preparedness, asserting that the current summer “won’t be the last” of such extreme conditions.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

• “We discussed this with the firefighters, and they recognized it already. They see that humidity is a real problem. It gets really dry even in the spring. Not just in the summer.” — Mayor Willy Schranz

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

If successful, repurposing snowmaking infrastructure could provide a rapid, locally sourced water supply for firefighting where traditional sources are scarce during droughts. The approach illustrates a pragmatic, infrastructure-based adaptation to climate-induced hazards and could serve as a model for other alpine resorts.

Euronews

Switzerland has not yet experienced large-scale wildfires this year, unlike some neighboring countries. Authorities rate the national wildfire risk as high, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how effective the snowmaking-derived water system would be in real fire scenarios. No quantitative studies have been presented to evaluate the volume of water that could be delivered or the speed of deployment compared with conventional resources.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires

The resort plans to coordinate with local fire services to finalize operational protocols before the next fire season. Details on testing schedules or formal agreements have not been disclosed.

Alpine resorts' snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires