No chemical fertilizer used on Saanenland ski pistes

By Diana Oehrli

In light of this winter season’s unusually warm temperatures and following January’s Lauberhorn-Wengen environmental fracas that received much media attention, GstaadLife asked those in charge whether or not chemical fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, are being used on Saanenland’s ski slopes. “Absolutely, not,” Armon Cantieni said. Cantieni serves as director of Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG, the company that manages area ski lifts and pistes. One of the reasons is that because the effect of ammonium nitrate is relatively short-lived, it is not used on normal ski runs but reserved specifically for races where wet snow can be dangerous in slowing skiers down. At the center of the recent national media storm is the fact that organizers of the Lauberhorn downhill ski race in Wengen, reacting to unseasonably warm temperatures, used up to 1.5 tonnes of ammonium nitrate to prepare and protect the piste. The Swiss Federal Office for the environment has begun a national investigation on the use of such fertilizers, and at least one private lawsuit has been launched against Lauberhorn ski race organizers.

Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound commonly used as a high-nitrogen fertilizer, and is the main ingredient in instant cold packs. It is an element used as an oxidizing agent in explosives, and in gas generator applications such as airbags. When added to slushy snow, ammonium nitrate’s immediate effect is that it reduces the snow’s temperature. There are some environmental risks associated with ammonium nitrate use. It can result in a reduction in biodiversity and in the contamination of waterways. Organic farmers, who are not allowed to use any chemicals at all on their land, are also hurt by the use of this chemical compound, as may be the case in Wengen. According to the Swiss federal office for the environment, there are no rules yet in place to control how chemical fertilizers are used on ski slopes. On the other hand, there are many rules in place to control their agricultural uses. However if recent weather patterns become the rule rather than the exception, it may create a need for more chemicals and additives to be used on ski slopes.

One such snowmaking additive used here in Saanenland is Snomax Snow Inducer. “We don’t use it too much,” Cantieni said. “It is very expensive.” Manufactured by York International, a company headquartered in the US and France, Snomax Snow Inducer is a snowmaking additive that helps ski resorts produce artificial snow by initiating the freezing process at a higher temperature. With Snomax, ice crystals can be made at -2.8ºC, instead of the usual -9.4ºC to -6.7ºC. A protein derived from the naturally occurring bacteria, pseudomonas syringae, Snomax is produced through a fermentation process. After it has been turned into pellets, freeze-dried and irradiated, it is mixed in water and added to the snowmaking water supply. The Swiss federal office for the environment has deemed Snomax to be safe if used outside of watershed areas. The French agricultural and environmental research agency also conducted a study—partly funded by York International—that concluded Snomax to be safe.

Environmentally friendly or not, snow canons are here to stay and more are on their way. Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG plans to expand the number of snow canons at La Videmanette and to install a water pipe between the Saane River and the Hornberg. Cantieni explained that an environmental water usage report concluded that there is enough water for these snow making projects. When asked whether he thought the use of salt on the streets was a concern, as the salt sometimes ends up in the river, Cantieni replied: “No, not at all a concern. I believe it is very diluted,” Cantieni said.