Ropeways - Child-proof locks
One of the priorities on the Alpe di Siusi is
child safety. The chairlifts are equipped with child-proof locks, some of them even with
fully automated passenger safety devices. As shown in the picture the technology is rather complex: two different cables secure the opening and closing of the safety bars and the canopy; they are controlled and triggered through a track system in the terminal.
Ropeways - Drive systems
The last diesel engine of the installations retired in 1997. Since then all ropeways are powered with electricity. With one exception, all of them use
direct current (DC). Picture 1 shows the DC drive of a 6-passenger chairlift.
The aforementioned Telemix, built in 2010, however runs on
alternating current (AC) powered by a variable-frequency drive, i.e. inverter.
Ropeways – Maintenance
Ropeway installations require
constant care and regular maintenance. Picture 1 shows a sheave train being dismounted, whereas picture 2 demonstrates its reinstallation after inspection. Picture 3 portrays members of the operational staff and a young fan at a periodic maintenance inspection.
Ropeways – Construction
The construction of a ropeway requires
geological and technical expertise, precision work, dynamic coordination and exact timing. The pictures show different installation works: The line installation, with helicopter, for the ropeway Floralpina in 2004, the mounting of the cable at the chairlift Paradiso in 2006, and the construction of a terminal in 2006 and 2009.
Here are some technical data about the haul rope Paradiso:
Manufacturer: Redaelli/Brescia, Rope length: 2650 m
Diameter: 44 mm, Number of wires: 216
Type of rope: Warrington/Seale, Weight: 18.850 kg
Ropeways-Environmental considerations
To limit ecological interferences, it is increasingly common to transfer entire grass blocks before starting with the earthworks; once the works are finished they are replanted, under professional supervision, into the original spot. Another way to keep the environment sound, are
subterranean constructions: the top terminal of the Bullaccia entirely built underground.
Snowmaking
To complement natural snow, nearly all trails of the Alpe di Siusi are equipped with
artificial snowmaking equipment. Open reservoirs ensure the water supply. The natural cooling effect achieved through this open storage system makes the construction of cooling towers redundant. The water is distributed to the snow cannons with the help of
seven pump houses equipped with electric pumps.
Around 70 snow cannons are currently in use. Most of them are
fan guns, next to a small number of
snow lances.
Artificial snow is made of water and air only. Efficient snowmaking protects the soil and limits potential damages caused by the edges of the skis and snowmobiles.
Slope preparation and maintenance
A lot of attention is put into snow grooming to ensure optimal slopes. About twelve so called
snowcats, with an average horsepower of 400 each, carefully groom the trails on a daily basis, usually between 5pm and midnight. The front blade is used to move and flatten the snow, and the tiller at the rear refines the surface.
Does the resort require
winch cats? There is one in use on the Bullaccia, which has one of the steepest slopes of the area (classified black). Winch cats allow grooming to take place on steeper pitches. Through the use of wind-up devices, they pull themselves up the slope with a rope, which makes for a safer and smoother grooming process.
To improve the connections between the resort's slopes, recent years saw the construction of
underpasses and bridges at some of the few crossings between slopes and streets.