DID YOU KNOW THAT...
Did you know that mountains hide much more than just beautiful slopes and adrenaline-filled experiences?
Let's take a look beneath the surface of the winter landscape and discover the fascinating connections that make skiing and slope maintenance a truly well-thought-out and sustainable process:
Snow from water — fast and clean
You may be surprised to learn that technical snow is not an "artificial" chemical creation, but simply frozen droplets of pure water. When the snowmaking equipment is in operation, water droplets are sprayed into the air and freeze into tiny snowflakes within seconds. The moment a snowflake is formed is so quick that the whole process seems magical — yet it is simple physics.
Snowmaking as landscape protection
Snowmaking infrastructure also fulfills an unexpected role — it acts as an active firebreak. Ski slopes act as strips of land with a lower content of combustible biomass, and technical equipment, including water sources, can significantly help prevent the spread of flames in the event of a forest fire. This shows that investing in infrastructure has multiple benefits not only for winter sports but also for landscape safety.
Ski slope maintenance begins in summer
Preparing ski slopes for winter means working with nature long before the first frosts. In summer and autumn, the slopes are mulched and mowed to prevent plant debris from growing into uncontrolled vegetation. In some locations, livestock grazing is also carried out in a sustainable manner—an intelligent way to keep the landscape open without heavy machinery and with respect for biodiversity.
Water retention in the landscape
Well-designed drainage ditches and infiltration pits on ski slopes are not only a practical feature for skiability. They also help retain water in the landscape — slowing runoff, increasing infiltration, and supporting local hydrology. This has a positive effect on surrounding ecosystems and water quality in lower parts of the watershed.
Green Špindl — together for cleaner mountains
After each ski season, volunteers from across the country gather for the Green Špindl event to clean up trash in the mountains. This event combines practical environmental work with a community experience — people who have a close relationship with nature meet, teach their children to be considerate, and care for their favorite place together. For children from kindergartens and elementary schools, it is also a living lesson in ecology that leaves a lasting impression.
