Skiing is no longer a winter activity that only lasts for a few months out of the year. Due to several technological advances, it’s now possible for people to hit the slopes at any time.
The Alps and Scandinavia in particular maintain such low temperatures that skiing is even possible in the summer, but to accommodate beginners, resorts are also using snow making technology, which makes it possible to produce artificial snow that replicates the same crystalline structure as real snow.
Snow Farming and Insulated Reflective Covers
We are also seeing more and more resorts using techniques that include snow farming, where snow is collected in winter, before being insulated with a reflective cover.
It is then distributed onto slopes, which, for some resorts, has helped to extend the skiing season well into spring. Snow factories are also able to produce snow irrespective of the outdoor temperature, which means resorts can stay open with consistency.
Automated machines, laser-guided grading, and even GPS tractors also make sure that the runs stay safe, yet optimal for those of different experience levels. Even if you don’t have access to a full ski slope, synthetic dry slopes that are made out of snowflex and dendix are also being used to replicate skiing conditions, allowing the sport to be done at all times of the year.
Skiing is Following the Trend of Other Experiences
Skiing’s shift to all-year-round accessibility is part of a bigger, more cultural shift. Football pitches are upgrading to artificial turf, and outdoor venues are also transforming with mechanical roofs that can be shut with just the click of a button.
In other entertainment verticals, platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime allow 24-hour access to content. Games are the same. For example, slots online can be played at any time, which has helped gaming catalogues to boom. Now, you’ll find slots across every theme, from ancient Egypt to horror and even sports, like fishing and football.
Trends like this not only mean that people can access content more freely, but they also reflect a wider demand for flexibility. People want to be able to access leisure activities on their own timetable, and across every device.
Sports like skiing are starting to mirror this by extending operating hours, removing seasonal constraints, and in some instances, offering digital ways of taking part in the sport by adopting AR and VR as a way to replicate mountain regions abroad.
As tech evolves, it would not be surprising to see skiing become even more adaptable. Skiing is no longer bound to the calendar year or specific seasons. It’s becoming an activity that could well see 24/7 accessibility, which will help to bring it more in line with more modern trends.
For fans of skiing, this is only a good thing, as it means more flexibility to enjoy the sport, without the restriction of having to do it at a specific time.
