Compressors help create snow in Hemel Hempstead

The huge ski and board slope, 160m in length and over 30m wide and complete with POMA button lifts, has been constructed on the site of the old dry ski run. 13 months in the making, the Snow Centre features one of Britain's biggest living roofs covering the entire length of the slope, making it visually unobtrusive and environmentally friendly.

The ski facility design features advanced indoor snowmaking techniques that have been patented in 28 countries. In keeping with other indoor snow generation projects, it was recommended that Atlas Copco compressed air equipment was to be incorporated into the blower/water chilling system for snow production that has been installed by refrigeration engineering specialist, Derby-based Cryotech Systems Ltd.

The Atlas Copco compressed air installation comprises a GA55+ FF rotary screw compressor, with integrated OSD condensate separation and DD and PD particulate filters, together with an LV 2000 air receiver and an EWD 330 electronic condensate drain. The equipment was supplied by Atlas Copco’s distributor, Halifax-based Pennine Pneumatic Services, who have worked with Cryotech Systems on two other UK indoor ski snow slopes - Xscape at Castleford and Chill Factor in Manchester - which also incorporate similar Atlas Copco equipment as part of the snow generation system.