Snowmakers and Mountain People – the Carezza Crew
Perfect turns in the morning, a warm and cozy evening after – what could be better than a carefree day on the slopes? Behind the scenes of a ski resort, however, there is a huge amount of work and many dedicated people ensuring everything runs smoothly. Here we introduce four of them – representing the entire Carezza team.
“Before the season starts, every hour counts”
Aron Lantschner, Snowmaker
Aron’s job title is written right on his snowmobile: “Schneiber”. A local term that might sound unusual, but it describes one of the most important roles in a ski resort. Aron ensures that by the end of November, all slopes in Carezza are covered in snow and ready to be perfectly prepared.
“Before the season starts, every hour counts,” Aron explains. Up to eight people work in the snowmaking team, producing snow weeks in advance whenever temperatures allow. By the time the first skiers arrive, most of the work is already done: each snow cannon runs between 80 and 100 hours for the base layer.
Technical snow requires only water and air, but the process is highly complex. The right balance of temperature, humidity, and water flow is essential. The water comes from reservoirs fed by natural precipitation, and all systems run on 100% renewable energy – keeping the environmental footprint as low as possible.
Even though everything could be controlled remotely, Aron prefers being on site: “No app can show you exactly how the wind behaves or how the snow really falls.” Maintenance continues year-round. “You can’t just set up the machines and let them run – everything has to work together perfectly.”
“Safety is the top priority”
Dieter Neulichedl, responsabile degli impianti Paolina e Hubertus
A smooth lift ride may seem effortless, but behind it lies a complex system. Dieter has been managing the Paolina and Hubertus lifts since 2013.
“Our lifts operate up to ten months a year, every single day,” he explains. His day starts early: at 5 a.m. he takes care of his animals before heading to the lift systems.
Safety is the top priority. Daily, weekly, and monthly checks ensure everything runs perfectly: chair connections, software systems, emergency drives – all monitored and documented in detail.
Outside the season, Dieter coordinates maintenance and major overhauls. His experience and calm approach are key. Even when something goes wrong, he resolves it quickly – often without guests even noticing. “If everything runs smoothly, it means we’ve done our job well.”
“Before skiing begins, I need to be sure everything is in order”
Werner Ranigler, Head of Slopes
“You might think I turned my hobby into a job,” Werner says with a smile. But his role involves serious responsibility: he is in charge of slope safety in Carezza.
Signage, securing risk areas, and assisting in case of accidents are all part of his daily work. His goal is clear: everyone should return safely to the valley.
Every morning before operations begin, Werner inspects the slopes on his snowmobile. In good weather it’s routine, but in challenging conditions he may need to secure snowdrifts or prepare safety measures.
He works in a resort that has evolved significantly in recent years, with modern lifts and perfectly groomed slopes. Even for a local, the views of Rosengarten and Latemar remain special. In the evening, he and his team ensure everything is ready for grooming. “If we explain things kindly, people understand.”
“That’s when I feel a real sense of pride”
Hermann Psenner, conducente di gatto delle nevi
If there were an award for the most beautiful workplace, Hermann would be a strong contender. Every evening, he prepares the slopes with his powerful 500-horsepower snowcat while enjoying the glowing Dolomites.
He is one of five snowcat operators in Carezza, ensuring perfectly groomed slopes every morning. The principle is simple: move the snow back uphill. But doing it well requires great skill and experience.
“Every day is different,” Hermann says. Wet snow, fresh snowfall, extreme cold – conditions constantly change. Modern technology helps: onboard monitors show machine data and precise snow depth using GPS.
Work begins right after the lifts close and lasts several hours. On steep slopes, winches and steel cables are used – effective but potentially dangerous for unaware skiers.
The job can be demanding, especially during heavy snowfall or early-season snowmaking. But sometimes Hermann enjoys a special moment: skiing early in the morning on slopes he prepared himself. “That’s when I feel a real sense of pride.”
