Tatra resorts test their snow cannons while lifts take their autumn break

Ski resorts in the High Tatras are finishing their preparations for winter. This week technicians at Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso tested their snowmaking systems, checking the pipes, the control systems and hundreds of snow guns.¹

“Every device has been serviced and fully tested. Once it is put back into the lines and onto the pistes, the whole system has to be run again so that each part passes a final check,” said Ján Kozubík, who runs snowmaking at Tatranská Lomnica. The slopes there have no snow yet, and making snow usually starts in November.¹

Lifts on a pause

The funicular from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok has been out of service since 24 September and should run again from 5 November. The undercarriage of one of its two cars was sent to the manufacturer in Switzerland for an overhaul that is done once every six years. Until then, Rainerova chata and the Studený potok waterfalls can only be reached on foot from Smokovec.²

The Solisko chairlift at Štrbské Pleso runs until 1 November and reopens on 6 December. At Tatranská Lomnica the lifts will run only on selected weekends in November before the winter season starts on 12 December.²