Three potential locations for SkiAustin were identified within 12 miles of Austin, with land prices up to $2.5 million. Electricity and water costs were analyzed, with electricity from solar panels estimated to generate 740,950 kWh annually. Technology needs like snow guns, groomers, and lifts from suppliers like TechnoAlpin, PistenBully, and Leitner-Poma were reviewed. Market research through surveys found both in-state and destination skiers would visit.

1. SkiAustin
A Subsidiary of SkiDubai

2. Background
● Austin, Texas
● Population: 885,400 (U.S. Census Bureau)
● Annual Visitors: 19.8 Million (McGhee)
● Variety of large events
● Home to the University of Texas
● Easily accessible from around the U.S.
Background Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

3. Location
● Three potential locations
● All offer at least 10 acres
● Highest priced land 2.5 million USD
● All three within 12 miles
● All three offer excellent locations
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

4. Potential Locations
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

5. Electricity Cost Analysis
Power Plant
SkiDubai:
● Electricity usage: 975,000 KWh
● Cost of $2,339,796
SkiAustin:
● Electricity usage: 975,000 KWh
● Estimated cost of $2,456,785
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

6. Electricity Solar Panels
Solar Panels (1400)
SkiDubai:
● Electricity generated per year: 1,124,200 kWh
SkiAustin:
● Estimated electricity generated per year: 740,950 kWh

7. Water Usage
● Potable water
● Water for the Blast Cooler’s
● Waste Disposal
● Water for snow makers
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

8. How Much Water do We Need?
● 22,500 Square Meter Indoor Skiing facility - skidubai.com
● 6,000 Tonnes Base Layer of Snow -guardian.com
= About 1.6 Million Gallons of Water
● Pump 30 Tonnes of Snow a Night -treehugger.com
= About 8,000 Gallons of Water
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

9. Obtaining H20
● Rainwater Harvesting
2011 Driest Year Ever for Texas
● Harvest from Natural/Manmade Reservoirs
Commonly used
● Purchase Water from Austin’s Utility Company
$3,664,800 per month during off season
1. NPR.org
2. SkiRoundtop.com
3. See appendix slide blah
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

10. Technology - Snow Guns
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

11. Technology - Snow Guns
● TechnoAlpin TF-10 Fan Snow Gun
○ Energy Efficient
○ High Water Flow Rate
○ Large Area Coverage
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

12. Technology - Blast Coolers
● 23 Blast Coolers
● Use Glycol Tubing Under Floor
● Keep Air Temperature at -1 Celsius
● Use the same manufacturer as SkiDubai
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

13. Technology - Groomers
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

14. Technology - Groomers
● PistenBully - 400 Indoor Model
○ Low Emissions
○ Precise Maneuverability
○ High Quality Components
■ Lower Operating and Maintenance Costs
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

15. Technology - Ski Lift
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts
MUELLER LIFTS SERVICES INC.

16. Technology - Ski Lift
● Leitner-Poma's Quad Fixed Grip Lift
○ Estimated length of 1080 feet
○ Up to 2400 people per hour
○ Between $800,000 and $1,000,000
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

17. Contracts
- Building Permits
- Environmental Permits
- Insurance
- Rentals and Equipment
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

18. Market Research
● New Market (Alvarez 2010)
● In-state skiers vs. Destination skiers (Alvarez 2010)
● Poll results
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

19. Poll Results - Destination Skiers
Source: SurveyMonkey
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

20. Poll Results - In-State Skiers
Source: SurveyMonkey
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

22. APPENDIX

23. Electricity Cost Comparison
Power Plant Solar Panels (1400)
SkiDubai
(deva.gov)
Electricity Usage per year
(KWh): 975000
Cost per KWh in Dubai: 38
fils/10 cents
Cost of electricity consumed
annually: $23,397,96
Daylight Hrs/day: 11
Electricity generated per day:
3080 KWh
Electricity Generated per year:
1124200 KWh
SkiAustin
(ausinenergy.com)
Estimated Electricity Usage per
year (KWh): 975000
Cost per KWh in Austin: 10.5
cents
Cost of electricity consumed
annually: $24,567,85
Daylight Hrs/day: 7.25
Electricity generated per day:
2030 KWh
Electricity generated per year:
740950 KWh
Market DemandBackground Location Electricity Water Technology Contracts

26. Calculations - Estimated Visits
- 56.5 million skier visits per year (Statista)
- Ski Season = 4 months = 122 days
- 56.2 million / 122 days = 463,033 skier visits per day
- 481 Ski Resorts in the U.S. (On The Snow)
- 463,033 / 481 = about 963 skiers per day

27. Austin Water and Wastewater Costs
Monthly fixed rate of $3311.00
Variable rates per 1000 gallons water
Off peak nov-june $5.82
Peak july-oct $6.40
Off Peak $5.82
Reserve surcharge $0.19
Wastewater Charge $9.26
Total Variable costs $15.27
* Go to slide (Water to Snow Conversion Rate)
austinwater.org
Total Rate = Fixed Rate + Variable Rate
TR = 3311+ $15.27x
Rate (x) = *240,000 Gallons a month
Total Costs = $3,664,800 per month
during off peak
season

28. Water To Snow Conversion Rate
1 Metric Ton = 2205* lbs
1 Pound = 8.35* Gallons
1 Month = 30* Day
30 Tons’ = 8000* Gallons
*Estimates
‘treehuger.com
Gallons per Month = (1 Month)( 30 Tons of snow)
Need 240,000* Gallons per Month

29. Ski Lift Facts

30. Snow Gun Fan Facts

31. http://www.technoalpin.com/en-us/snow-guns/fan-guns/tf10/facts-and-
figures.html
http://www.pistenbully.com/usa/en/vehicles/indoor/400-indoor.html
http://www.ijwhite.com/products-solutions/blast-freezing/
http://www.luvata.com/Products/Heat-Transfer-Solutions/Radiator-Air-Blast-
Coolers/
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_17535471
http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/indoorski.asp
http://leitner-poma.com/product/fixed-grip-chairlifts/

32. References
The Guardian. (2005, November 20). Ski in the desert? It could only happen in Dubai. Retrieved from
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/nov/20/unitedarabemirates.wintersportsholidays.wintersports
Paster P. (2010 December, 14). Is indoor skiing really that bad?. Retrieved from
http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/ask-pablo-is-indoor-skiing-really-that-bad.html
Austin Water. (2015 November 1). 2015-2016 Water and wastewater rates. AustinWater.org
Ski Dubai (n.d.). Ski Dubai resort overview. http://www.skidubai.com/ski-dubai/resort/
RoundTop Mountain Resort. (n.d.). Snowmaking. https://www.skiroundtop.com/how-snowmaking-works
Gammon J-N. (n.d). Everything you need to know about the Texas drought.
https://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/tag/drought/