 Poster: A snowHead
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So with webcam season upon us I'm suddenly noticing how on the roofs of lots of mountain lift stations they are covered in small stones / gravel.
Any idea why?
They tend to be flat so its not to help with snow slip, they drain well and I don't think its a wind thing as the stones are too small.
they are not "free" roofs so its not an environmental thing either.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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To help protect the flat roof. @dode will probably be able to explain exactly what it does to help.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Avalanche debris, obviously.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@under a new name, glad you went first 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Camouflage....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Hurdy, ah, yes, placed by the alpine choughs mini-drone squadron?
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| Hurdy wrote: |
| Camouflage.... |
I did wonder this, if it was maybe something to do with the view from above.
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Free gig for the pisteurs?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Its a well know fact that Marmots eat small stones and gravel to help digest the tough Alpine foliage. Male marmots also tend to poop in higher areas in familial latrines or cairns for territorial reasons. The man-made higher areas of the tops of ski lift buildings and naturally very appealing to them (assuming they can find a way up!).
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Prevent sunlight directly hitting station roof and thereby reduce fatigue caused by thermally induced expansion/contraction
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Nickski wrote: |
| Prevent sunlight directly hitting station roof and thereby reduce fatigue caused by thermally induced expansion/contraction |
I suspect this is closer to the truth than most answers, but I also think the gravel probably serves as a hedgehog deterrent.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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On many types of commercial buildings roof membranes are "ballasted", meaning covered with river rock or pavers, for any or all of these purposes: holding the membrane in place; protecting it from mechanical wear and tear; and protecting it from UV degradation.
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Chuckies on roofs is last century technology. Not been used here for decades. Struggle to see them staying in place given the weather on the mountain tops.
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You know it makes sense.
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The old rope tow engine hut at Yad Moss had large slabs of stone on its roof to hold it down in the gales  See pic at the bottom of this page
https://yadmoss.co.uk/history/
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Peter S wrote: |
The old rope tow engine hut at Yad Moss had large slabs of stone on its roof to hold it down in the gales See pic at the bottom of this page
https://yadmoss.co.uk/history/ |
I've heard about Pennine skiing, not Yad Moss specifically though. What a great tale of dedication and love of skiing from a fantastic volunteer team to keep it running and improving.
It sounds like over the years the piste has been picked clean of stones that means its safe to ski with only a few cm of snow. Hope they are getting some decent snow in recent years.
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Poster: A snowHead
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It’s more a summer thing than a winter one. In the winter everything is frozen in place. Gales or not, makes no difference. So can’t really effect the temperature as much
In the summer, you can effect the temperature much more by having a (cheap/free in the mtns) covering.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Randyp909 wrote: |
| Peter S wrote: |
The old rope tow engine hut at Yad Moss had large slabs of stone on its roof to hold it down in the gales See pic at the bottom of this page
https://yadmoss.co.uk/history/ |
I've heard about Pennine skiing, not Yad Moss specifically though. What a great tale of dedication and love of skiing from a fantastic volunteer team to keep it running and improving.
It sounds like over the years the piste has been picked clean of stones that means its safe to ski with only a few cm of snow. Hope they are getting some decent snow in recent years. |
Everyone should give Yad Moss a try. When the conditions are right, it truly is a magical place and you keep reminding yourself “I’m skiing in England”. Also a fantastic organised place with some great people running it.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Should I have been keeping flat lightweight pebbles to put on my fibreglass flat roof, all these years, rather than skimming them on lakes, rivers and seas? 
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