In view of the upcoming development of a concept for winter sports offers in the Thuringian Forest which also included the identification of potential development sites, the city of Langewiesen received an assessment of their potential for the development of alpine skiing offers, particularly considering the district Oehrenstock as well as the conflict potential of nature conservation. The objects of the preliminary study were a validity study of the climatic suitability, a terrain analysis based on a digital height model as well as mapping and evaluation of protected areas. The result of the study was the identification of suitable areas for the development of an alpine ski resort. 

In the course of this project planning concepts for the ski areas of the Harz Mountains have been developed. They were based on the evaluation of the snowmaking potential with SnowPlan as well as on a sound analysis of the terrain potential that has been carried out with the aid of a Geographical Information System. Measures in the fields of snowmaking, infrastructure, services and marketing were defined. The identification of potential ecological conflicts as well as an analysis of the market potential and possible target groups for new offers also belonged to the scope of this project that has been supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the state of Lower Saxony.

Development of possible offers during wintertime (alpine skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, tubing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, snow play area etc.) for the Panorama-Park Sauerland, a theme park on the ridge of the Rothaargebirge currently opened in summer only. The aim was to extend the park’s season. In the first stage the snowmaking potential was evaluated with the aid of SnowPlan. Moreover, a break-even-analysis taking into account the respective investments, operational and financing costs has been performed. The study also included recommendations concerning pricing, the services to be offered and a draft version of a marketing concept. As a result the feasibility was judged critically as the operators of the Panorama Park lacked specific know-how in the winter sports business. 

For the Kurpfalz-Park Sauerland a feasibility study showing potential winter sport offers in order to extend the park’s season was developed. For this purpose, an analysis of the snowmaking potential based on SnowPlan at this climatically critical site as well as a break-even-analysis based on the expected investments, operational and financing costs were carried out. 

The renowned company Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners (among others responsible for the planning of the ski-runs for the Winter Olympics 2002 in Salt Lake City) had taken over the development of a ski area master plan for the ski region Alberschwende, a low-altitude resort but easy to access. Christoph Schrahe has taken over the evaluation of the snowmaking potential using SnowPlan in terms of optimizing the snowmaking system.    

The federal state of North-Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's most densely populated region and has a large potential for winter sports developments. However, the infrastructure in the state's ski areas was not adequately established. This was mainly due to the irregular pattern of snowfall, which meant that any investment in ski resort development had a high risk factor. Commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, SME's, Energy and Transport, a climate analysis was carried out with the help of SnowPlan. Its aim was to find out whether and where it would be possible to use snowmaking systems in order to extend the ski season.

The Bocksberg Cable Railways had obtained planning permission for the installation of a snowmaking system for the 1.2 km trail from the top of the Bocksberg mountain to the village of Hahnenklee. The Nature Preservation Association lodged a complaint in order to stop the development. They argued that it would not be possible to run the ski area on a sound economic basis. On the basis of a study carried out by SnowPlan it was possible to prove in court that this was not the case. The court ruled in favour of Bocksberg Cable Railways. After two months of construction, the snowmaking system went into operation in November 2001.

Planning of a snowmaking system for the Postwiesen ski area Winterberg-Neuastenberg with SnowPlan.

Due to a special climate situation it was important to determine the capacity of the snowmaking system exactly. Furthermore, the snowmaking coverage was aligned with the existing lift capacity which reduced the necessary investments considerably.

Taking economic and regional aspects into account, it was proved that the project was economically viable. Afterwards the Postwiesen ski area successfully applied for government subsidies.

The installation of the snowmaking system in combination with a new electronic ticket system and a new grooming machine (total investment 1.8 million Euros) brought tremendous results: Whereas the 10-year average of operating days had decreased from 71 (1979-1988) to 32 days (1989-1998) before the installation, it increased to more than 90 days afterwards. Average daily visits increased from 250 to 625 and the turnover was increased by 800%.