The Snow Competency Centre

The Ski- and Snowsport's centre for practical knowledge in cost- and energy efficient production, storage, grooming and preservation of snow

Snow production– findings from IBU’s SIEPPUR project

19. November 2024

For the last couple of decades, snow production has been able to compensate for the decrease in natural snow that has been observed in many places around the World.  Depending on the availability of water, the cost of snow production and the actual rise in temperature due to climate change, this compensation may continue for […]

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Snow storage – findings from IBU’s SIEPPUR project

18. November 2024

Storing and preserving snow over the summer will enable on-schedule snow reliability – a venue can open for skiing on a pre-announced date.  The key question is however how to lose the minimum amount of snow over the warm summer months.  The main factors that cause snow melt are: SIEPPUR’s scientific research has identified the […]

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IBU’s exiting new snow management project

13. November 2024

The project, named SIEPPUR after the Sami word for deep snow, aims to identify, develop and promote sustainable practices in snow management from production, storage, transport, grooming to handling. The European Union Erasmus + Funded 3-year project started already in late 2022, and has this summer and fall delivered detailed findings and summaries.  The main […]

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About the Centre

The aim and goal for the Centre (snowcompetency.com) is to help prolong the possibility to ski, jump, slide and compete on snow:

  • in todays and our future warmer climate
  • at low elevation and on todays existing arenas, venues and ski destination centres

The Centre will research, collect, summarize existing and new information and knowledge, as well as suggest solutions for:

  • Snow production in the most cost- and energy effective way
  • Snow storage in the most efficient way
  • The best grooming methods and preservation of the snow to achieve good snow conditions for as long as possible

To succeed in this, the Centre will:

  • Present results from international research and operator experiences in a practical and simplified way
  • Organize seminars and workshops with and for experts, venue operators, ski clubs and organizers
  • Initiate and coordinate practical research projects
  • Provide timely answers and advice to relevant questions from the World of ski- and snowsport
The project is important with regards to reducing the energy footprint in production of snow, both in Norway and internationally. This can contribute to a more sustainable snowsport, and that children and adults can enjoy artificial snow without being at the expense of the environment"
- Norwegian Minister of environment and culture, Ola Elvestuen, 2019
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