Latvia's ski trails are preparing for the winter season, but the launch depends on stable frosts. After a difficult last winter, operators have updated their equipment and hope for more stable weather and financial returns.
Several representatives of ski trails reported to the LETA agency that they expect to start the season when the weather becomes more stable. Representatives of Ozolkalns indicated that the forecast is not yet stable enough and the promised frost is too weak to begin snow production. A stable temperature of no higher than minus 4 degrees for five days is needed to launch the snow cannons.
One snow cannon at a temperature of minus 1 degree can produce about five cubic meters of snow per hour, while at minus 12 it can produce about 100 cubic meters. Less frost means less snow, added representatives of Kamparkalns.
Representatives of Briežkalns noted that they will check and test the equipment soon to ensure its condition and readiness for the new season.
In response to a question about last winter's season, representatives of Žagarkalns stated that the season was shorter than in previous years. The cold periods were brief, making the previous winter financially unprofitable. Despite this, Žagarkalns will continue operations.
Representatives of Ozolkalns also noted that after last winter it was not easy to find resources and motivation to continue operations, but the company managed to gather resources and strength. However, the negative effects of the negative balance are still being felt.
In the summer, the lift electrical systems and pumping stations were updated at the facility. With the support of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), a detailing project was implemented, which created a ticket purchasing system for the lift in the electronic environment and adapted the gate system for automatic ticket control and time spent on the slope. This will help save on controller expenses.
Kamparkalns is located in Kurzeme, so the climate there is a bit warmer than in other regions. In February, when the weather was more favorable, snow was blown onto both the trail and the slope, making the season about a month shorter. Representatives of Kamparkalns noted that last winter was a "survival winter," but the less than a month of operation was enough to avoid going into the red.
Representatives of Briežkalns added that the past season was harsh in terms of weather conditions, but the slope is located in Vidzeme, and a couple of degrees difference between the Riga and Kurzeme slopes played a significant role. Briežkalns had a full season with one small break.
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