Construction and Maintenance Project of Kopaonik Snow Park

The snow park construction project is a very extensive topic from a construction perspective. Nowadays we see such snow parks at the Olympic Games, which tells us that it plays a serious role in ski resorts and the skiing industry. The popularity of the sport is growing, as the acrobatics we see at competitions and in various videos circulating on the internet and television are very attractive to the younger generation. Based on these findings, the designer can more easily conceive the design of the snow park, which for us means that we consequently obtain information about the variability of object placement and the size of jumps. In the diploma thesis we learn about the phases of the project.

Problem

The snow park construction project is a very extensive topic from a construction perspective. Nowadays we see such snow parks at the Olympic Games, which tells us that it plays a serious role in ski resorts and the skiing industry.

Solution and Method

The popularity of the sport is growing, as the acrobatics we see at competitions and in various videos circulating on the internet and television are very attractive to the younger generation. Snow parks and the entire freestyle movement dictate the direction of industry development in the sport. This primarily concerns the trend in the production of artificial objects, adaptation of machinery and tools for maintenance, development of skis and boards, technically increasingly refined clothing, and the rapidly growing development of snow parks.

Before the client decides on the project, they are obliged to carry out an analysis of potential users. In the case of the Kopaonik ski resort, these are families and experienced athletes.

Results

Based on these findings, the designer can more easily conceive the design of the snow park, which for us means that we consequently obtain information about the variability of object placement and the size of jumps. In the diploma thesis we learn about the phases of the project. Similarly to the construction of houses or planning of building land, project documentation is also required here.

It consists of the already known conceptual design (IDZ), project for obtaining building permit (PGD), project for implementation (PZI), and as-built project (PID). The phases describe the course of works on the construction site, obtaining data about the terrain, and all other necessary permits. Since he did not have good access to data on project documentation, he instead focused on the construction process. During the summer season we learn about the course of earthworks, terrain staking out, and construction machinery. Certainly, nature does not allow a smooth course of works at construction above 1500 m.

He himself witnessed heavy summer downpours, constant temperature fluctuations, and terrain erosion resulting from rain. After obtaining permits, the designer produced a plan of the snow park in the AutoCAD Civil 3D programme. For the production of the plan, a topographic map of the terrain and contour lines were absolutely necessary.

Both were provided by the client. Then the company he collaborated with could carry out staking out on the terrain. This serves for orientation when setting target points, whose purpose is to show the desired location of earth embankments or so-called platforms.

In this part of the assignment we learn about the course of earthworks after completed terrain staking out, including the implementation procedure with construction machinery and personnel. After completed earthworks during the summer season, construction of the park from snow follows in winter. When constructing earth structures, we can save enormously in the production of artificial snow. Earth structures filled as much as 70% of the required volume for a geometrically correctly shaped snow park. After achieving a satisfactory quantity of artificial snow, it was clearly evident what happens if you do not follow the snowmaking plan, which is also described in the project itself.

In their case, instead of several small snow piles, they made one large one. The consequence of this was significantly longer grooming and higher costs due to additional fuel consumption and labour. When we achieve the desired shape of the snow park after snow grooming, the installation of elements intended for acrobatics follows. These are an integral part before completion of construction, as they give the park meaning and an overall appearance. For smooth maintenance and installation, the structure was already calculated in advance according to the total width of the snow groomer.

In this way we save a lot of time, as grooming with a snow groomer is significantly faster. A lot of time and precision must be devoted to the installation of artificial elements and jumps. When constructing these we also use the previously mentioned marking poles and all additional tools, without which shaping is not possible. As an example of element installation, he chose the installation of a snow jump for a more detailed description.

In the description of jump construction, I show the correct sequence of the implementation procedure. Two tables are also listed, made in a programme whose task is to calculate the correct ratio of angles and jump length. In the next point, a technical inspection of the snow park is shown, which was carried out in the AutoCAD Civil 3D programme by the company he collaborated with – Alliance ASE. Below are visible data from the technical inspection, such as: – required volume of structures, – terrain slope, – terrain cross-section, – terrain position, – terrain height, – bird's eye view of the snow park, – 3D view of the snow park, – sizes and slopes of objects, – detailed characteristics of individual elements, – snowmaking plan, – snow groomer route, – safety plan, – maintenance plan. From the construction of earth structures to final installation from snow, we follow the technical inspection, as it contains all necessary data for implementation.

In the last part of the diploma thesis, he carried out a comparison of snow parks, with which I show their diversity. There are thousands of snow parks in the world, yet they all have a completely different course and appearance. Ours is just one more in the world of freestyle and serves the purpose of spreading this type of sport.

Through the course of writing the diploma thesis, he learned and showed how important the correct approach to snow park construction is.