Cost

The total cost for storing snow can be divided into the following parts: 

  • Snow production 
  • Purchasing material and covering with saw dust or geotextile 
  • Un-covering the saw dust or geotextile and distributing the snow

Based on studies comparing saw dust (40 cm thick) and geotextile fabric (2 layers), the total expenses are quite equal. It is a bit cheaper to use saw dust for smaller volumes (less that 10 000 m³) while it is cheaper to use geotextile fabric for larger volumes.

The cost of snow production is a bit higher for geotextile fabric since more snow is needed to cover a fixed demand (more melting will occur, so the snow pile must be larger to start with).   Purchasing the material and covering/uncovering the snow pile is more expensive with saw dust (especially if the cover material is replaced every year).

Distributing the snow is the largest cost item (about 50% of the total cost).  For alpine venue this cost is reduced since the snow storage is normally done directly on the slope, and can be pushed out by the grooming machines.

Expenses Snow productionCover (incl. purchase of material, labor,
depreciation)
Uncover material and
distribution of snow
Saw dust LessSlightly moreSlightly more 
Geotextile  MoreSlightly lessSlightly less 

A venue (in Norway) should expect that it will in total cost up to 90 000 EURO to produce snow, purchase cover material, cover and uncover the snow pile and distribute snow for a 5 km (6 meter wide and 50 cm deep) Cross-Country course (15 000 m³ snow).  Since the largest expense is the distribution of the snow onto the courses, inexpensive equipment rental adn machine operators can save cost. 

The distribution of expenses are approximately:
Snow production: 15 – 20%
Covering snow pile: 25 – 30%
Uncovering and distribution: 50 – 55%

Transportation of snow

Transportation of snow from a nearby snow storage or a remote production location (for example at a higher elevation in the mountains, or at a “cold” valley) is a costly and energy demanding task. Today this normally takes place by trucks and tractors with trailers. Sometimes it is possible to use grooming machines to push most of the snow out (especially in alpine venues).

A truck or a trailer usually can take about 10 – 15 m³ snow. This means it may take up to 500 trips to transport 5000 m³ snow (which will cover about 2 km of a 5 meter wide Cross-Country course).

There are ongoing studies and practical trials to see if it is possible to distribute snow from a central location by blowing the snow through plastic pipes. This is however most practical when the snow has low density and is light.