a start-up designs AI to avoid waste in ski resorts

With global warming, skiing is becoming more and more of a luxury. To continue to attract winter sports enthusiasts, the resorts of the Pyrenees and the Alps use artificial snow. But this production is water intensive. To avoid waste, a start-up from Toulouse has found a solution. After 2 years of testing, the platform is operational.

In France, one in two ski resorts is equipped with snow cannons to cope with climatic hazards.

Not surprisingly, this artificial snow is energy intensive. The production of one hectare of artificial snow requires 4,000 cubic meters of water, according to a report from the FNE in 2022.

In total, 25 million cubic meters are consumed each winter by the resorts, recognizes the association of French Ski Areas.

If the impact is not neutral for the environment, a solution could come from a Toulouse start-up, Elda Technology, located 186 km from the first mountain.

Since 2022, three young engineers aged 26 have been refining a unique innovation in France: a drone equipped with Lidar sensors and powered by predictive artificial intelligence.

Our solution precisely maps the snow cover of the areas. This allows you to know if there is snow missing or not. And how much should be added on this or that track.

Julie Aubert

one of the founders of ELDA TECHNOLOGY

Our data is integrated “directly to the snow groomers at the station to allow drivers to know the state of the snowpack in real time” she continues.

By knowing exactly the snow depths, the resort can optimize its production of artificial snow, look for natural snow outside the area and thus reduce its environmental impact.

The results are positive, assures Benjamin Faure, head of Serre Chevalier's drone activity. The Alps resort has been using the system for 2 years on its 250 km of slopes.

Although it is still difficult to calculate the savings on water, Toulouse innovation has many advantages.to assess the snow condition“, he continues.

Other systems existed but without ever using the drone. The latter allows us to search for snow located outside the area.

Benjamin Faure

Serre Chevalier Station

Other winter sports resorts were also attracted.

Le Grand Bornand has been testing the platform since March 2024. Val Thorens, the highest village in Europe located at an altitude of 2300 meters, began scanning the 3200 hectares of its domain.

In the Pyrenees, only Ax 3 Domaines in Ariège has just signed a partnership.

This year, the Toulouse trio wants to go further.

Since this winter, the “Elda Snow” platform has been equipped with predictive artificial intelligence capable of anticipating the melting of snow in 10 days.

Mountain enthusiasts, the three designers had the idea for this intelligent drone during their master's degree at ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse. This public higher education establishment provides training for multiple professions in the aeronautics and space sector.

Graduating in the summer of 2022, the 3 friends immediately launched their start-up. After months of testing, the marketing of their innovation begins in September 2024.

Today, 6 people work within the young company.

Awarded several times, Elda Technology is preparing for spring 2025, a first fundraising of 700,000 euros.

The sum will make it possible to extend the model beyond snow-capped peaks. Indeed, their system can adapt to other environments.

“Our platform can be used in various sectors: coastal management, forest monitoring, precision agriculture, and many others.“, specifies Julie Aubert.

From the ski slopes to the Mediterranean beach, the adventure of this young Toulouse company is ready to take off.