Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to receive public subsidies for the purchase of Snow Secure snow storage covers?
Yes, in the same way as for the construction of sports facilities in general or, for example, through various EU or other public financial instruments. Funding can be granted to sports clubs, municipalities or companies. Snow storage covers are an environmentally friendly investment and a great example of circular economy.
How can the snow storage covers be used in the winter?
The design of the Snow Secure concept began in 2016, with the goal of creating an eco-friendly and cost-effective product. Both goals can be achieved when the materials used for snow storage in the summer are utilized in the winter, either in their folded form or as an unfolded snow protector. The concept has been granted international patents. This dual use (summer/winter) does not cause any extra costs to the customer. It is intended to prevent future competition from utilizing the invention without Snow Secure’s permission. Next winter, snow storage cover panels will be utilized as, among other things: advertising space, space dividers, playground walls, parts of a snow building, an open-air lounge of a slope restaurant and as a slide. We will start a systematic utilization project for our winter products in the winter of 2022. And for the summer, the insulation will again be used to store snow.
Where should I place my snow storage pile?
Whenever possible, a snow storage pile should be in the shade or semi shade. When on a slope, look for a flat area or a gentle slope. Note that some space is also needed around the pile.
How should the snow be made and piled?
In a flat area or next to a slope, make the snow layer by layer and compact it after each layer. Tightly packed snow is much easier to store than airy snow. Pile the snow according to the example image you received. Piling the snow correctly allows the insulation to work well. Even on a slope, the snow should be compacted between layers whenever possible. We recommend wide, almost flat tops and steep sides.
Why is circumference important?
When stretched out, one snow storage cover panel is approx. 18.5 metres long, and two cover panels are 37 m long in total. The panels should hang above the ground when installed. Depending on the situation, the optimal circumference is between 40 and 50 metres. Remember to also include the snow at the bottom of the wall of the pile in the circumference. The wall of the pile rarely starts right at the surface of the ground. There can be dozens of centimetres or even a couple of metres of snow at the bottom of the pile wall. Check the installation instructions you have been provided.
How many persons and what type of machinery does it take to install or disassemble the snow storage panels?
6–8 persons can install up to 7000–10.000 m2 of snow storage in one workday without machinery. You only need a tractor with a pallet fork attachment to bring the panel packages to the storage site or to take them away. On slopes and for bigger storage operations, a snow groomer and a winch or an excavator are required.
What is hybrid snow storage?
In the hybrid snow storage method, the Snow Secure panels are combined with wood chips. The snow storage cover panels form the “roof” and hang off the sides of the pile. The ends and walls of the pile are protected using wood chips.
What is the expected useful life of the cover panels, and can they be repaired?
When used correctly, the Snow Secure snow storage cover panels are intended to last 20 years. They are a long-term investment. The panels are very durable, but wear or damage from mishaps can still occur. The panels can be easily repaired using special plastic screws.
What is meant by surface cover?
The Snow Secure cover panels are effective in protecting the snow from heat. However, a surface cover should be placed on top of the panels. The surface cover acts as a storm shield, prevents rainwater from getting into the snow between the Snow Secure cover panels, blocks water vapour from entering the snow, keeps cold air inside and protects the valuable snow storage cover panels from UV radiation (which would make the surface of the panels more fragile over time).
Using white, disposable and recyclable PE film is a fast and affordable option. It can be installed over a small snow storage pile in as little as 15 minutes. Snow Secure has also developed its own surface cover, which consists of plastic film on one side and polyester fabric on the other. The sections are attached to each other using wide, UV-protected hook-and-loop tape. The expected useful life of the cover is 5–7 years.
What is a protective cover?
The protective cover is intended to be used on top of the folded-up cover panel packages. Hook-and-loop fastener strips are sown on each cover for advertisement use. The protective covers are available for €80 per cover. You can sell advertisement space on the covers.
Can natural snow be stored?
Practice has shown that natural snow is not worth storing, because the accumulated natural snow almost always contains dirt that is not visible during the piling phase, and it is work-intensive to compact the natural snow pile into the desired starting density of about 500 kg/m3.
Why is the snow melting rate misleading?
A pile of snow contains a lot of “cold energy”, and it takes a lot of heat and energy to melt it. In a warm environment, a 500 m3 snow storage pile will naturally melt much more over 6 months in relation to a 50.000 m3 storage pile. The best unit for reporting the amount of snow that melted would be kg/m2. Based on experience, we also know that a snow pile that is built in the same place for a second year in a row melts much less than a first-time snow pile. During storage time, the snow will compact further. This means that in the best case the snow does not melt at all during the summer – instead, its density increases.