1200m³ Schnee: Big Air Event

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Post on Dec 28, 2024

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1200m³ Schnee: The Insane Logistics of a Big Air Event

Okay, so you think throwing a massive snowboarding competition is all fun and games, right? Think again. I mean, sure, watching those crazy athletes launch themselves into the air is awesome. But the behind-the-scenes stuff? That's a whole different beast. Let me tell you about my experience helping organize a Big Air event – specifically, one that needed a whopping 1200 cubic meters of snow. Yeah, you read that right. It was nuts.

The Snow, the Whole Snow, and Nothing But the Snow

First off, let's talk snow. 1200 cubic meters? That's not a small pile. Think of it this way: it's like filling a decent-sized house with the fluffy white stuff. We're talking serious logistical challenges. We initially underestimated the amount needed, thinking we could just use what naturally fell and supplement it with man-made snow. BIG MISTAKE. The weather decided to play games with us, and we ended up scrambling for additional snow at the last minute – a nightmare of epic proportions. I'm still recovering from the stress of that. It cost us extra money too - a lesson learned the hard way.

Lesson #1: Overestimate, always overestimate.

Seriously, when it comes to snow for an event like this, you absolutely cannot have enough. The weather is unpredictable, and you don't want to be caught short. Better to have extra and look good than to have to cut corners – or worse, cancel the whole thing.

Beyond the Snow: Other Key Factors

But the snow is just one piece of the puzzle. We also had to:

• Secure the venue: Finding a location that could handle that much snow, and also had the right kind of terrain, was like finding a needle in a haystack. We eventually ended up choosing a place with a huge flat area and some natural slopes. This was a major factor in getting the right permits.
• Get the right equipment: This means snow-making machines (obviously!), snow groomers to shape the landing, and all sorts of safety equipment. We needed tons of safety measures!
• Hire the crew: This includes snow-making experts, safety personnel, and even people to help manage the crowds. The permitting alone was a HUGE step in the right direction. I have a whole binder full of paperwork. I'll never forget that.

Lesson #2: Planning and permits are your best friends.

Don't even think about starting without a solid plan and all the necessary permits. Seriously, dealing with local authorities can be a bureaucratic nightmare.

The Day of the Event: Success (Mostly!)

The day of the event was, thankfully, a success. Seeing those athletes soar through the air, against the backdrop of all that perfectly groomed snow, made it all worth it. The crowd was amazing; the atmosphere was electric.

Even with the earlier setbacks, the planning paid off. And we got some great media coverage - awesome for the sponsors! Even better: we had a great, safe event!

1200m³ of lessons learned:

This whole experience taught me a lot about event planning, and specifically about the crazy world of Big Air snowboarding. I am proud of our work on this event.

But seriously, never underestimate the amount of snow you'll need. And start planning, and getting permits, way, way early. You'll thank me later.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go have a stiff drink... I deserve it! Maybe next time I'll even stick to planning smaller events, LOL.