Connex phenomena: snow-gliding and snowdrift
The phenomenon of snow-gliding
In front of this slow and unpredictable deformation of the snowpack, which then can degenerate into a difficult to control avalanche, Engineerisk has developed a protocol to reduce the phenomenon by placing wooden sleeves across the slope.
Positive feedback were evaluated on all equipped sites such as Les Contamines Montjoie, Chamonix Mont Blanc, Châtel, Avoriaz ski resorts.
- Engineerisk ensures:
- - Analysis of the overall protection scheme
- - The load requirements on the anchorages
- - On-site individual location
- Advantages:
- - Depending on the surface, the costs are generally much more advantageous than usual supporting structures
- - The site remains open to off-trail skiing by continuing to manage the triggering of surface layers
- Limited visual and environmental impact
Engineerisk is involved in the study of this phenomenon via the GLISMO project (www.glismo.fr). Several experiments are underway in La Plagne and Chamonix (Camera tracking, motion detectors ...) to better understand this phenomenon.
The snowdrift: transport of snow by the wind
A significant part of snow accumulation is due to wind transport. This often results in the creation of cornices, snow drifts or fragile snow slabs. Conversely, the wind can negatively erode trails of the ski area. Depending on the problem (to avoid or manage accumulation zones), Engineerisk is in a position to:
- - Analyze and understand the main wind streams
- - Propose the best type of adapted structures: snow barriers, jet roofs…
- - Propose winter campaigns for experimental monitoring thanks to temporary barriers
- - Implement the final structures scheme
