With a capacity of 405,000 cubic meters, a total size of 35,000 square meters (water surface) and a depth of up to 17 meters this new water reservoir is a bit more than just a small lake in the middle of the mountains. In the course of the next three years, thanks to the new water reservoir at 2,900 m above sea level Tiefenbach Glacier will see a truly outstanding increase of quality when it comes to state-of-the-art snow-making systems. The entire construction will take approximately three years – which is not exaggerated as in high Alpine areas this corresponds only to 12 months. During the summer season there are only 120 to 140 days with suitable weather conditions at Tiefenbach Glacier.

The giant lake, coated with a layer of asphalt, will be fed by the melting waters of Tiefenbach, Petznerbach brook and Pirchlerbach brook.

In future, this huge water reservoir will be an important pillar for the technical snow-making devices of the entire Sölden ski area. For the 40 hectares of glacier slopes (50% of all ski slopes at Rettenbach and Tiefenbach) which are covered with artificial snow-making systems, a water reservoir of only 240,000 cubic meters would be sufficient. Therefore all the remaining capacities can be used by the Gaislachkogl snow system.

Thanks to the high altitude location the system can take full advantage of pumping effects. The remaining water feeds the already existing reservoir in the Rotkogel area.

At the moment, a complex pumping system carries the waters from Ötztaler Ache river up to the ski slopes. This will be a thing of the past as soon as the new water reservoir will be in operation. Additionally, costs and energy reserves are saved.