SkiStar is the first company in Scandinavia to test and develop an electric piste machine

For the first time in the Scandinavian mountains, we tested a piste machine that is completely powered by electricity during Easter week. In 2015, we began switching from fossil fuels to renewable diesel in piste machines in Sweden and the introduction of electric machines will make it easier for the entire ski industry to become more climate smart. The test of the electric piste machine took place in Tandådalen/Hundfjället, Sälen.

The HUSKY eMOTION piste machine from PRINOTH is still in the concept phase and, as the first operator in the world, we have been able to test it and help the supplier to develop it with the aim of eventually introducing it into our fleet. For example, over a few days in the Easter week, Trollskogen in Hundfjället was prepared using 100% renewable electricity.

"As early as 2015 we started our journey towards fossil-free operation in our ski resorts. Back then we decided to move from using fossil fuel in our piste machines to renewable energy. One diesel-powered piste machine emits the same amount of carbon dioxide as 15 to 20 cars. In five years, we have reduced the climate impact of our operations by 70% in Sweden by switching to HVO100, which is a renewable diesel fuel. That was the start of our sustainability journey and now we are taking the next step towards making our ski resorts even more sustainable and ensuring that the emissions from our business are climate neutral," says Fanny Sjödin, Sustainability Manager at SkiStar.

"Our ski resorts are already partly powered by renewable energy in the form of solar, wind and hydropower and when the electric piste machine comes onto the market, we plan to replace part of our fleet with electric vehicles and to use other climate-smart fuel sources that are already available, for example renewable diesel, which is known as HVO100 in Sweden. Electric piste machines powered by hydrogen are also being developed."

According to SLAO, the Swedish Ski Areas Organisation, emissions from piste machines accounted for 70% of ski resorts' total emissions in 2019/2020*. The transition has already begun throughout the ski industry. Since 2018, emissions from the 200 ski resorts have decreased by 40 percent, mainly as a result of the switch to biodiesel in the piste machines. Snowmaking has also become more energy efficient. Today, the same amount of snow can be produced using only one-seventh as much electricity as forty years ago.

Facts about the HUSKY eMOTION electric piste machine

• 100% electric piste machine
• Lightest piste machine on the market weighing only 7 tonnes
• Max. power: 270 HP (200 kW)
• Battery: 190 kWh
• Operating time: up to three hours

For more information visit prinoth.com

How much CO2 equivalent does SkiStar save by switching from diesel-powered piste machines to electric ones?

• Diesel: In one day we can save 253 kg CO2, which in one season would amount to 40 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). In Norway, the piste machines are currently diesel powered.
• HVO100, renewable diesel: In one day we can save 18 kg CO2, which in one entire season would amount to 5.6 tonnes (5600 kg) of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). In Sweden, the piste machines are already operating on HVO100.

*The "Roadmap for fossil-free competitiveness for the ski resort industry" produced by the SLAO, the industry association, describes the way forward, which includes continued investments in biofuels, the introduction of electric snowmobiles and the production of renewable energy using solar cells and wind turbines.