Davos Klosters undertakes Extension of the Totalp pumping station on Parsenn

Davos Klosters Bergbahnen AG operates the "Totalpsee" reservoir, built in 2006, in the Parsenn Gotschna ski area on the Totalp mountain. This reservoir is the only water source for the artificial snowmaking system of the entire Parsenn Gotschna ski area and is therefore crucial for reliable and efficient snow production. To ensure the long-term viability and further optimize the snowmaking infrastructure, an expansion of the pumping station is planned. The corresponding building application has already been submitted.

As part of this expansion, a new water intake structure, an extension of the pipelines towards Weissfluhjoch/Obersäss, and the addition of three new high-pressure pumps and cooling systems to the station are also planned.

This project is essential for the Davos Klosters mountain railways and brings significant advantages:

Increased Maximum Water Extraction:

The project does not create any additional snowmaking area. Therefore, the total amount of water required for snowmaking remains the same. However, the new water extraction system, the expanded pipelines, and the upgraded high-pressure pumps allow for nearly twice the amount of water to be drawn from the reservoir in the same amount of time. This enables the production of significantly more artificial snow during increasingly shorter periods of sufficiently low temperatures. Cold spells can thus be utilized much more effectively and efficiently. Although the total amount of snow produced remains the same, energy consumption decreases. This makes snowmaking more environmentally sustainable.

Expansion of the Cooling System:

The cooling towers to be installed on the reservoir dam will cool the water in the reservoir in preparation for snowmaking seasons. Water is drawn from the reservoir, passed through the cooling units, and then returned. Cooling can be used both in a closed loop and directly at the point of water extraction. It takes place both between and during snowmaking seasons. With colder water, more snow can be produced, similar to lower air temperatures. Due to the increased efficiency, the expansion of the cooling system will have an overall positive impact on electricity consumption.