The 2022 Olympic Games<\/strong> in Beijing<\/strong> are over. These last 2 weeks were rich in emotion<\/strong>, our champions won 5 gold medals<\/strong>, 7 silver medals<\/strong> and 2 bronze medals<\/strong> for a total of 14 medals<\/strong>. France finished in 10th position<\/strong> behind Russia and in front of Canada. The 2022 Olympics<\/strong> are marked by an event that has made a lot of noise especially on social networks. This reaction is due to the lack of natural snow<\/strong>. Indeed, the snow present in Beijing<\/strong> during this edition was composed of 100% artificial snow<\/strong>. This particular snow makes debate<\/strong>, some say that the artificial snow<\/strong> replaces the natural snow<\/strong> without problem, others affirm that it has nothing to do with the one that offers us the nature which we are used to. A never-ending debate that will not cease to be disputed at each edition now, with global warming as the cause.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For 2 reasons. The first is the adaptation<\/strong> to this snow with athletes<\/strong>, the second is the ecological impact<\/strong> that it encumbers.<\/p>\n Concerning the sensations of skiing, many sportsmen and women are very satisfied with this snow, which is apparently pleasant<\/strong>, easy<\/strong>, enjoyable<\/strong> and provides good sensations. The French biathlete Martin Fourcade<\/strong>, five-time gold medalist at the Olympics, said on France Inter that he felt no difference<\/strong> between these two types of snow.<\/p>\n Wouldn’t artificial snow<\/strong> be the perfect snow<\/strong> in terms of sensations<\/strong>? In view of the feedback from this edition and from our champion, no doubt. But from an ecological point of view<\/strong>, can we draw the same conclusion?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to Carlo Carmagnola<\/strong>, scientist and snow specialist, in collaboration with the CNRS<\/strong>, the National Center for Meteorological Research and M\u00e9t\u00e9o France<\/strong>, if we count all the artificial snow used in France, within all the ski resorts, nearly 30 million cubic meters of water<\/strong> are used. For comparison, this is approximately the same amount of water used for a city like Grenoble.<\/p>\n As far as electricity<\/strong> is concerned, snowmaking consumes up to 5 kWh per cubic meter<\/strong> of water, a result that has been decreasing over the years thanks to the new technologies that are constantly being developed. For Carlo Carmagnola<\/strong>, the use of artificial snow has a low environmental impact<\/strong> compared to other disciplines or even other activities of everyday life. New technologies<\/strong> would make it possible to minimize the resources used in the coming years.<\/p>\n This is not the opinion of Vincent Vl\u00e8s<\/strong>, professor of urban planning and development at the University of Toulouse<\/strong> who denounces “Making snow requires a compression of air<\/strong> and water<\/strong> that requires a lot of electricity<\/strong>“. Artificial snow melts more slowly<\/strong> which, according to him, causes a delay<\/strong> in the regrowth of flora and increases the proliferation of invasive plants. The NGO China Water Risk<\/strong> also denounces by stating that the equivalent of 800 Olympic swimming pools<\/strong> are needed<\/strong> to ensure the proper functioning<\/strong> of the Alpine skiing events.<\/p>\n A debate that will continue to divide and resurface at each edition. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Respecting the environment is a priority<\/strong>. This is why our projects<\/strong> are part of an ecological<\/strong> and environmental approach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Chamoue places particular importance<\/strong> on respecting the fauna<\/strong> and flora<\/strong> that make up the mountain and that make it a living<\/strong> and natural place<\/strong>. In addition to integrating perfectly into their setting, each of our projects is subject to a careful study<\/strong> of the impact on its direct environment. Thanks to these studies entrusted to local actors, we make sure to respect and preserve the richness that the mountain offers us.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
These Games have allowed us to discover promising talents who, no doubt, will make us dream in their turn in Milan<\/strong>, in 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
The lack of snow in China has naturally led the country to opt for this solution to accommodate athletes from around the world and organize this 24th edition. <\/p>\n\n
Why is artificial snow being debated?<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\n
\n
Ecology<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\n
“It usually takes 4,000 cubic meters<\/strong> of water,” explains Carlo Carmagnola. According to his estimates, it therefore takes at least 12,000 kWh<\/strong> of electricity to artificially snow one hectare<\/strong> of piste. For comparison, “The average consumption of a 70-square-meter<\/strong> house heated with electricity is estimated at about 10,000 kWh<\/strong> per year, while a 150-square-meter<\/strong> house, also equipped with an electric heating system, consumes about 17,000 kWh<\/strong> per year.”
The organizers of the Beijing 2022 Olympics guarantee that the snow cannons are powered by solar panels, enough to reassure the most skeptical.<\/p>\n
There is also noise pollution<\/strong>. “The snow guns run at night<\/strong> when the temperatures are colder. They make a lot of noise, between 60 and 80 decibels<\/strong>,” which is equivalent to the noise level of a noisy canteen<\/strong>. This disturbs the fauna<\/strong>, especially nocturnal animals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n
At Chamoue Promotion<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\n
We collaborate directly with local actors<\/strong> who are committed<\/strong> to respect the environment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\n
\nour latest news<\/h2>\n
\n