Snow distribution begins at Levi Ski Resort in Kittilä despite recent rain

The snow distribution process has begun at the Levi Ski Resort in Kittilä, despite recent rain. Jani Hämäläinen, the supervisor of slope maintenance, notes that unexpected challenges have arisen, even though the resort has years of experience in handling stored snow. He refers to a couple of stormy days last week when protective fleece covers were removed from the stored snow piles. The covers, which had been held down by insulating mats, were tossed about by the wind. “The wind played tricks and threw the covers to the other side of the pile. We managed to gather them up, but it ended up being quite a mess,” says Hämäläinen.

He asserts that it’s futile to fight against the elements and acknowledges the difficulty in preparing for them. “If there’s strong wind, we simply have to pause work. The safety of our workers is the priority, and we cannot take risks.”

Hämäläinen indicates that the snow distribution is running a couple of days behind schedule this fall, as some workers and machinery have been focused on the site of the new Levi Six chairlift in the northeastern slopes. The stored snow, amounting to 170,000 cubic meters, will allow for a wider ski area to be opened on October 4. Cross-country skiers will also have access to the stored snow in just over a week, with distribution starting on September 30 for a two-kilometer track next to the golf course.

Despite an unusually warm summer in Lapland, Hämäläinen states that most snow melting occurs in August and September, primarily due to humidity. He estimates that around 35-40% of the stored snow has already melted. Plans for next spring involve creating wider and lower snow piles to enhance safety during operations. The costs for this year’s stored snow amount to approximately €400,000. The ski season at Levi last year concluded on May 5.