Comparative study of technical measures to reduce snow and ice ablation in Alpine glacier ski resorts

We present technical methods aiming at a reduction of snow and ice ablation within an Austrian glacier ski resort. From April 2004 to September 2005 we carried out field studies at Schaufelferner (2870 m a.s.l.) and Gaiβkarferner (3100 m a.s.l.), two glaciers situated in the Stubai Alps. We injected water into the winter snow and studied the effects of compaction and artificial surface cover blankets. Results demonstrate a high efficiency of special blankets (geotextiles) that are placed on the snow surface in spring. Average melt rates and total ablation are reduced by 60%, conserving around 300 kgm− 2 of winter snow over the ablation periods 2004 and 2005, respectively. Crucial material properties are identified that play an important role in the performance. It is possible to increase glacier mass balance using a 0.004 m thin cover material.