Popular snowmobile trail groomer manufacturer, PistenBully recently was awarded a SIS Eco Award. The BLUE IQ corporate philosophy, the first PistenBully with a diesel-electric drive, and above all the SNOWsat snow and fleet management system from Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, proved unbeatable for this year's SIS Eco Award 2016. The Foundation for Safety in Sport (SIS) uses the prize to honour eco-friendly developments in the winter sports industry that are intended to foster sustainability.
True to its corporate philosophy,Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, which also includes the brand PistenBully, has been uniting economic, ecological and social aspects in all areas of its business for many years. The Laupheim firm developed the PistenBully 600 E+, for example, the only snow groomer with a diesel-electric drive. The satellite-based snow and fleet management system SNOWsat guarantees perfect and efficient snow grooming and sustainable snow management.
The development of SNOWsat was crucial in the presentation of the SIS Eco Award 2016 by the Foundation for Safety in Skiing. When a ski resort uses the system, the terrain of the entire resort is survey by satellite and stored. When you drive across the resort with a PistenBully connected to the system, the current snow depth can be determined with precision down to a few centimetres. Thanks to this feedback, machine-made snow need only be produced when required. This saves water, energy and fuel and also reduces the operating costs. Additionally, ground damage is avoided when snow is moved from side areas to the slopes. SNOWsat is the most eco-friendly solution there is to date for managing grooming and snow production in a ski resort. The focus of the PRO ACADEMY also lies on an economical, sustainable approach to snow as a resource. Ski resort employees are taken through various modules and trained in resource-friendly, efficient snow management. "It is winter sport itself that reminds us of our duty", declares Jens Rottmair, CEO of Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG. "Our entire approach has essentially been shaped by environmental thinking and sustainability for years as a result. We are thrilled to receive the SIS Eco Award 2016 in recognition of that!" Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG will use the prize money of 7,500 euros in pursuit of its commitment to encourage the next generation.
This marks the second time the prize devised by Dr Volker Himmelseher, Chair of SIS, has been awarded. The firm of Deuter received the first one in 2014. This year's SIS Eco Award was presented to Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG at the annual Workshop of the Foundation for Safety in Skiing, the German Ski Association and DSVaktiv in Rottach-Egern.
This award was primarily for the company’s work with ski resorts, however the same general eco-friendly principles apply to snowmobile trail grooming in large part.
