Warm weather pushes Diavolezza ski opening back a week

The Diavolezza ski area in the Engadin expects to open on October 24 instead of October 17 because high temperatures are preventing piste preparation to its usual standards, SRF reported.

The resort has delayed its season start by at least a week because conditions are also making artificial snowmaking difficult. Temperatures in the Upper Engadin were above the usual average for the first half of October, said Nicolà Michael, marketing director of operator Corvatsch AG.

Diavolezza, whose upper station is almost 3,000 metres above sea level, typically opens early in the winter season. The opening has been planned for between mid- and late October in each of the past 10 years, Michael said. In some years the date was met; in others, weather delayed the start by about a week.

The resort intends to keep offering an October opening in future, provided demand, snow and weather conditions, and operational capacity allow it.

Water availability also affects piste preparation. Diavolezza has used a reservoir built in 2007 for snowmaking, while the Furtschellas-Corvatsch ski area draws water from streams and springs. Although the area currently has enough water for artificial snowmaking, Corvatsch AG plans to build a reservoir there to make snow production more efficient and targeted.

Michael said a reservoir could help the resort complete its base snowmaking more quickly, reduce electricity use and staffing needs, and ensure water is available when required. He added that climate change is likely to shorten the period available for snowmaking.