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Faced with the challenges posed by global warming, ski resorts are turning to innovative solutions to maintain their activities while reducing their environmental impact. A French start-up, based in Toulouse, has developed a artificial intelligence which uses drones and sensors Lidar to optimize the management of artificial snow in ski areas. With this technology, resorts can both conserve their water resources and improve their energy efficiency, paving the way for a more sustainable future for winter sports.
Faced with the growing challenge of global warming and the demands of environmental sustainability, more and more ski resorts in the Pyrenees and the Alps are adopting innovative technologies to optimally manage artificial snow. A promising start-up, Elda Technology, offers a revolutionary solution: a smart drone powered by artificial intelligence to map the snowpack, thereby reducing the need for resource-intensive artificial snow production.
The challenge of global warming for ski resorts
With increasing temperatures due to global warming, ski resorts must rethink their economic and environmental model. Skiing is becoming more and more a luxury, and to attract winter sports enthusiasts, the use of artificial snow is becoming essential. However, this method is known for its significant environmental impact, consuming around 25 million cubic meters of water each winter.
Emergence of innovative technological solutions
In response to these challenges, a Toulouse start-up, Elda Technology, has developed innovative technology. This solution uses a drone equipped with LiDAR sensors combined with predictive artificial intelligence. This innovation allows precise mapping of the snowpack, thus considerably reducing waste by optimizing the use of artificial snow.
How does this technology work?
The Elda Technology drone flies over the slopes and uses its sensors to measure snow depth. The data collected is integrated directly into the station’s snow groomers, allowing operators to know the state of the snowpack in real time. This makes it possible not only to optimize the production of artificial snow but also to locate and efficiently use the snow. natural snow available.
A promising and environmentally friendly economic model
This technology has already been adopted by several large resorts such as Serre Chevalier, where it has been in testing for two years. Stations can thus reduce their water and energy consumption, thereby aligning with sustainability requirements. Resorts such as Le Grand Bornand and Val Thorens have also joined the initiative by testing this innovative platform.
The initiative of the founders and their vision for the future
The founders of the start-up, Julie Aubert, Charlotte Brenac and Nicolas Guibal, had this idea during their training at ISAE-SUPAERO. Their ambition is to further develop Elda Technology, not only for ski resorts, but also for other environmental sectors. Adapted to varied environments, their technology could be applied to coastal management, precision agriculture and forest monitoring.
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Future prospects and expansion
Elda Technology is considering a fundraising of 700,000 euros for spring 2025 in order to expand their services. Their ambition is to transform their drone mapping technology into a versatile solution applicable to various sectors. With its extensive prediction and analysis capability, the “Elda Snow” platform has the potential to play a significant role in both the conservation of natural resources and the improvement of environmental practices on a global scale.
