Making artificial snow at the ski resort at Natrudstilen by Sjusjøen in Ringsaker – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio

Despite the temperature in the air, there is a huge pile of snow on the ground at Sjusjøen Ski Centre. By 1 November, they must have approx. four kilometers of cross-country trails ready. A very favorable electricity agreement makes it possible to make artificial snow in early September. – We have secured our electricity price. It’s nice for us, says Mathias Neraasen. The general manager of Ringsaker Almenning says that they have entered into agreements that secure them for the next three seasons. – We saw that the price of electricity skyrocketed last autumn. Therefore, we checked the possibility of securing ourselves. We have simply made a good assessment and have a maximum price agreement, he says. Known for early snow The company he heads operates, among other things, with cabin rental and operation of the ski resort in Norway’s largest cabin municipality. For several years, Sjusjøen has been known for having snow early in the season. This is due, among other things, to the purchase of a permanent snow machine and access to water and a separate waterfall. SNOW MACHINE: This permanent machine can produce snow even in hot temperatures at Sjusjøen Ski Center in Ringsaker. Photo: Aleksandr Nedbaev / news Several ski resorts are concerned about how the high electricity price will affect this year’s season. At Sjusjøen it is different. There, preparations are being made for the national opening in biathlon on 12–14 October. November. – Do you have any reservations about using electricity to produce artificial snow, now that there is an electricity crisis? – There are certainly some who have opinions about this. But I must emphasize that we have not snuck in the queue or stolen anything. We have simply looked ahead and done what was possible to secure ourselves as a company, says Mathias Neraasen. MDG reacts One of those who reacts to what is happening is Johannes Wahl Gran in the Green Party. The county politician from Innlandet thinks it is unsustainable to produce artificial snow when the winters are shorter. Not least in the middle of a power crisis. – We should have destination companies that do not tamper with nature, or, as in this case, add artificial snow to be attractive. I think instead they should develop their offer based on the current situation, he says. SKEPTICAL: Wahl Gran is surprised that the ski resort on Sjusjøen produces artificial snow in September. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news But here it is a company that has been smart and entered into a favorable agreement. Isn’t this just good business practice? – Yes, it is simply good business management. In this case, we are also talking about a democratic company made up of landowners. The question here is whether the management of the company has simply made it worse for all of us residents who sit here with high electricity bills, he says. Have obligations Electricity production in southern Norway has been low this year due to little rainfall and is one of several reasons for the record high prices we are experiencing. Some have also talked about the possibility of electricity rationing, but according to NVE this is unlikely. Mathias Neraasen in Ringsaker Almenning, says he understands that electricity and electricity consumption is a sensitive topic these days. He believes that the company has obligations in relation to events and to cabin owners who have bought cabins in the area because there are favorable snow conditions. – After all, we have a responsibility to take care of our entire company. There is also an element of public health in this. People should be able to ski here instead of driving far away. It is not sustainable that they eventually have to travel to Central Europe to look for snow, he says. SNOW STORAGE: Under the tarpaulin, snow is stored to be transported out onto the routes and contribute to good skiing conditions at Sjusjøen Ski Center. Photo: Aleksandr Nedbaev / news



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