Why is Switzerland so hot? I know climate change is a thing, but many other countries are receiving a lot of big snow falls. What's specifically going on in Switzerland? Jet stream weirdness allowing warm air further north?
+8 in Verbier today. Uhf
Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
151–160 of 180 posts
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#152Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think it's problematic at all. It looks to me a reasonable and proportionate investment that supported a large number of local, seasonal jobs. Amortize that fossil fuel consumption per capita -- one helicopter, over thousands of vacationers -- and it's an absolutely trivial amount. In terms of pure numbers, most HN'ers did far "worse" things on their most recent vacation, even if it were a short car trip.
I'd say the outrage is caused by the symbolism. Alpine skiing is an activity that in the long run is on the way out due to climate change. As a result of a warming-induced deterioration of conditions we are burning more fossil fuels to support the industry that we're extinguishing with said fossil fuels. The fact that it's an activity heavily associated with affluence aids the rage-bait.
Penny wise, pound foolish. It’s a short term solution that increases the long term problem.
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#153Earlier quoted context omitted.
It is also important to note for our North-American friends what exactly an exclusive resort means in this context. Some North-American exclusive resorts consist more like a golf-club where all slopes are not accessible unless you pay the "club fee" or in some cases buy a house in the village. While here Gstaad is still open to the "common man". Yes, it's expensive skiing eating and hotels, with a lot of celebrities…
>While here Gstaad is still open to the "common man" The cost to exist and engage in the day to day commerce of life there is sufficiently high that the common man does not and mostly cannot bother hence no need for other forms of exclusivity.
It is no more expensive than any other ski resort close by. But it is expensive for what it is.
Very moderate skiing.
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#154There is nothing exclusive about the resort. It’s pricey but nothing stops anyone coming, and many do.
The question is, why would you when the skiing really is average compared to its near by Neighbours.
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#155Global warming being caused in part by internal combustion engines and aviation results in less snow for skiers... Solution? Chopper some more snow in to counter the effects of I.C.E's and aviation. Huhmmmm.... Does anyone else spot a dichotomy in thinking here?
> Global warming being caused in part by internal combustion engines and aviation results in less snow for skiers... Solution? Chopper some more snow in to counter the effects of I.C.E's and aviation. Huhmmmm.... Does anyone else spot a dichotomy in thinking here? Well, they're doing it to keep their income and profits coming. A major part of it in fact - probably half the yearly income. Since you're probably from a…
> inconvenience when driving/commuting
Most people I know just commute on bike or public transport.
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#156Global warming being caused in part by internal combustion engines and aviation results in less snow for skiers... Solution? Chopper some more snow in to counter the effects of I.C.E's and aviation. Huhmmmm.... Does anyone else spot a dichotomy in thinking here?
I'm an atheist with no kids. I have to basically use up this planet before I die because I can't take it with me into the grave.
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#157Am I right in thinking that Gstaad is like the Aspen of Switzerland, one of the richest ski resort towns? Is this why they can get away with helicoptering in snow?
Switzerland is a rich country, and just about every ski resort is outrageously expensive (think 14 euro for a beer, 35 for a pizza, 150+/night for a hotel, 50+/day slopes). So financially, they can definitely get away with helicoptering in snow. The most exclusive ones are probably St. Moritz, Zermatt and Lech, not so sure about Gstaad.
Sounds like cheap skiing compared to alberta
https://www.skibanff.com/ski-ride/passes/day-passes
Half price
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#158Earlier quoted context omitted.
Air conditioning is relatively efficient compared to driving a 2000 pound steel box 30 miles down the road (and back) to buy eggs.
This was 1 chopper doing private property management to increase its value, yet outrage here resembles end of world... lets be a bit smarter. Ie one can save 1000x more energy every year to resettle people from places like Phoenix to location where AC nor heating is not needed. We can sit all day coming up with fantasies what to ban to cut down energy consumption
There's enough solar radiation that lands on 0.1% of Arizona to air condition the entire south west using solar panels...
We don't need to resettle everyone in the Phoenix because air conditioning uses too much energy...
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#159Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do snowboarders wreck the slopes anymore than skiers?
Besides scraping up the snow in general, they can really mess up bump runs because they travel through them a lot differently than skiers.
Couldn't ski resorts just charge snowboarders more to make up for the extra grooming costs?
Re: Switzerland: snow flown in by helicopter in attempt to keep ski slopes open
#160Gstaad is quite an exclusive resort, but is relatively low level - the village is at about 1,000m. I once shot some photos for the local ski club at one of the slopes there and they wouldn't let anyone but the racers use the piste as they wanted to keep it in good condition. IIRC it was one of the privately owned runs, and they really didn't want this snowboarder wrecking the piste so I had to hike up to shoot photos…
It is also important to note for our North-American friends what exactly an exclusive resort means in this context. Some North-American exclusive resorts consist more like a golf-club where all slopes are not accessible unless you pay the "club fee" or in some cases buy a house in the village. While here Gstaad is still open to the "common man". Yes, it's expensive skiing eating and hotels, with a lot of celebrities…
Are there North-American style exclusive resorts in Switzerland?