Smart revolution: When skip slopes think for themselves
- 01.07.2025
- Research
Sophia Brockschmidt, MSc, Bernarda Keßler, BSc, Bernhard Mandl, MSc, and Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Schmiedinger, PhD (from left to right) on the roof terrace of the FH Kufstein Tirol with the weather station developed in the Intelligent Ski Slope project in the foreground.
How do you measure the quality of a ski slope? A research team at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol has come up with a brilliant idea that will have a huge impact. Their goal: safer slopes, lower energy consumption, and smarter winter tourism. But getting there will be anything but easy...
Good slope quality is an important factor for winter sports enthusiasts when choosing a destination – not only in terms of the ski area itself, but also in terms of safety on the slopes.
But how can the actual condition of a slope be objectively measured – and, above all, how can you ensure that snow is only made when it is really necessary? A research team at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol has been looking into precisely this question. The goal: to develop an innovative measurement system that provides reliable information about the actual slope quality, thereby helping to control snowmaking processes in a needs-based and resource-efficient manner.
Under the direction of Sophia Brockschmidt, MSc, research fellow in Industrial Engineering and Smart Products & AI-driven Development, a sensor-based system is currently being developed that will help make ski slopes more sustainable—in terms of safety, environmental impact, and economic viability.
In conversation with Brockschmidt, it becomes clear that the Intelligent Ski Slope is much more than a technical showcase project. It represents an interdisciplinary response to the challenges of climate change, a conscious approach to natural resources, and a new understanding of modern ski slope maintenance.
“Our goal is to develop a system that not only measures snow depth or air temperature, but can also provide real information about the quality and structure of the entire snowpack,” explains Brockschmidt.
BECAUSE WHETHER A SLOPE IS DANGEROUSLY ICY OR SNOW DRIFTS ARE FORMING, IT IS OFTEN TOO LATE TO SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE.
Sophia Brockschmidt, MSc
Research Fellow Industrial Engineering, Smart Products & AI-driven Development
AN IDEA FROM PRACTICE – BACK TO RESEARCH
The original idea developed from a practical project as part of the master's degree program in Smart Products & Solutions. Back then, Brockschmidt and her colleague Anna Moser tested the first sensors in collaboration with the Fieberbrunn mountain railway company. This project led to the current research initiative, which is now funded by the state of Tyrol.
The central element: an IoT-based system consisting of stationary and mobile sensors that record a wide range of parameters—from snow temperature and moisture to solar radiation, wind direction, and humidity—in real time. IoT stands for Internet of Things and refers to the networking of physical devices—in this case sensors—via the Internet to automatically collect, exchange, and analyze data.
The data is transmitted via a gateway to a central cloud, where it is prepared for analysis. A specially developed web platform displays the values—a decisive advantage for slope managers and technical teams.
“What is often lacking today is a complete picture of the slope conditions – especially on race slopes, where consistent hardness and structure are crucial,” says Brockschmidt.
OUR SENSORS SHOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION, BUT ALSO MAKE IT MOBILE AND COMPACT – IDEALLY IN A BACKPACK FORMAT.
Sophia Brockschmidt, MSc
Research Fellow Industrial Engineering, Smart Products & AI-driven Development
The team is drawing on experience gained from previous IoT projects in alpine regions. The Kufstein University of Applied Sciences has been researching digital applications for outdoor use for many years, and the Intelligent Ski Slope project is the first time this expertise has been systematically applied to winter sports.
FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY
In addition to Brockschmidt, the team currently consists of Bernarda Keßler, BSc, Bernhard Mandl, MSc, and Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Schmiedinger, PhD – on developing two prototypes: a compact weather station that will be tested on the Reißenschuh and a temperature profile sensor that will provide data on the internal structure of the slope across multiple measuring points.
A key challenge: slope quality does not depend solely on external conditions. The temperature structure within the snow layers is particularly important—for example, for the hardness of the slope or the formation of ice sheets. That is why the team relies on a probe with 16 temperature sensors that take measurements at intervals of five centimeters.
A further prototype is the autonomous weather station. This is being designed specifically for hard-to-reach areas of the slopes that have been inadequately monitored up to now. In order to record snow correctly as precipitation, a heated collection vessel is used – it melts the flakes in a targeted manner without distorting the measurement results.
A key aspect here is sustainability. When precise measurements ensure that snow is only used when really necessary, this not only saves water and energy, but also high costs. Initial experience from the industry shows that targeted slope management can save several million euros, depending on the size of the ski resort.
WINTER SPORTS ARE UNDER PRESSURE – BOTH ECOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. WITH OUR RESEARCH, WE WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO MORE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES AND, AT THE SAME TIME, MAKE THE SLOPES SAFER.
Sophia Brockschmidt, MSc
Research Fellow Industrial Engineering, Smart Products & AI-driven Development
A practical example of the strong link between research and application is the collaboration with Gitti Weber from Steinbach Alpin. The long-standing preparer of international race tracks gave the team important tips on what really matters in practice, thereby helping to develop the sensor system in an even more targeted manner.
FROM THE SKI SLOPES TO THE FUTURE
The researchers are already thinking beyond the ski slopes: in the future, the IoT platform they have developed will also be usable for other alpine applications, such as biodiversity research, recording animal movements, or monitoring rockfall and avalanche zones.
“Our system has a modular design. The sensors can be customized to suit specific objectives—for example, for snow science, avalanche research, or species protection in high alpine regions,” explains Brockschmidt.
The technical basis is an energy-saving LoRa radio network, which enables reliable data transmission even in remote mountain regions. Power is initially supplied by batteries – in the long term, the integration of solar panels will be tested, whereby consideration must again be given to possible measurement distortions caused by shadows.
The project will run from October 2024 to September 2026. By then, the planned work packages – from conception and prototype development to the trial phase and dissemination of results – should be completed.
However, there is already considerable interest from practitioners: initial discussions with potential application partners such as Arena and Kitz Consulting show that the project is being well received.
CONCLUSION: WHEN RESEARCH MEETS SNOW
The Intelligent Ski Slope project is a prime example of how application-oriented research works at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol: close to practice, interdisciplinary, and with a focus on socially relevant topics. It combines technical innovation with strong ecological standards and impressively demonstrates how a practical project can become part of the future of alpine tourism.
Links:
- Intelligente Skipiste | Research Project
- Industrial Engineering Management | ft
- Smart Product & AI-driven Development | ft