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ItalianoThe Snow Centre Tyrol, established at the MCI's technical site and embedded in Lebensraum Tirol Holding, stands for the latest research and practical know-how in the fields of snow production (technical snowmaking) and snow management. Research institutions, cable car operators and innovative companies work together to make snow production and piste management more efficient, improve quality and reduce the use of resources.
The most recent example of a successful project is the "Limes" snowmaking system, which goes back to a development by Tyrolean entrepreneur Frank Wille: Back in 2015, Wille invented a new type of snowmaking system based on a laval nozzle. In contrast to conventional systems, this technology does not rely on the evaporation of water to generate cold energy, but on the significant differences in flow velocity. The convex shape of the nozzle in the inlet accelerates a water-air mixture to supersonic speed, while the concave shape at the nozzle head leads to an extreme drop in pressure.
The Snow Centre Tyrol carried out wide-ranging tests with the first prototypes, which showed enormous potential and led to initial considerations for series development: the new snow generators were characterised by their great independence from the surrounding humidity and their snow production potential close to freezing point.
In cooperation with the Swiss Research Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), the Snow Centre Tyrol was able to establish contact with the Swiss company Bächler Top Track, a worldwide provider of individual solutions in the areas of snow processing and snowmaking. At the time, Bächler Top Track was very busy developing new snowmaking methods, and the Tyrolean concept fitted these requirements perfectly. On the basis of an exclusive agreement, Bächler Top Track developed the Tyrolean prototype further until it was ready for series production. As "Limes", the snowmaking system is now celebrating its first international successes.
Due to its special properties, Limes is ideally suited for indoor use, such as in the "Alpincenter Hamburg-Wittenburg", the longest indoor ski slope in the world. "Where we used to have 15 snowmaking systems in operation, there will only be two Limes in the future. The simplicity and performance of the system are unrivalled," says Deputy Managing Director Matthijs van Grieken, describing his experience. A Limes snow-making system can be used from minus 1 degree and produces large amounts of snow in a short time. The consistency of the snow is comparable to dry powder snow, the snow is easy to work with and feels like dreamy natural snow to skiers or snowboarders. Added to this are low purchase and energy costs and impressively simple handling.
In recognition of its outstanding innovation and value-added potential, "Limes" was awarded the prestigious "SWISS EXCELLENCE - Product Award" and presented to a wide audience for the first time at Interalpin 2019.
Voices
Claus Dangel, CEO Bächer Top Track AG: "The overwhelming response at Interalpin and the Swiss Excellence Award prove that we are on the right track with 'Limes'. In addition to the convincing basic product, there are modular supplements and retrofit options, so that Limes is recommended for a wide range of applications."
Frank Wille, TWF Wille Frank: "As a small mechanical engineering company, our focus is on individual solutions for problems that often seem unsolvable at the beginning. I am very pleased about the constructive cooperation with one of the world's most renowned manufacturers of snowmaking systems."
Michael Rothleitner, Schneezentrum Tirol: "At the Schneezentrum Tirol we not only develop new processes and technologies to improve snow production and piste management, but also support our partners through our network. Successful cooperations like this show that even smaller companies can be internationally successful with innovative ideas and developments."