Abstract: Method for covering with snow artificial slopes for downhill or cross-country skiing, comprising the formation of an ice layer forming the bottom of the run, the on site production of snow by machining said ice layer by forming chips having a predetermined thickness, the keeping of the thickness of the ice layer forming the run bottom, the maintenance of the desired characteristics and quality of the snow. The machine for implementing such method comprises: a raisable curved blade (5) which is front-mounted for smoothing the snow surface; as a tool, a cylindrical cutter (7) provided with teeth and driven by a hydraulic motor (8) and housed in a casing (10) of which the bottom forms a vault and opens at the rear to deposit snow on the ground; as reconstitution means, a water sprinkling ramp (12) arranged under the vault; a comb (14) provided with tracers (25).

Abstract: A feed device for automatically controlling the operation of a snow gun, the device having an axially displaceable slide to selectively feed air and water under pressure to the snow gun and bleed water from the device, the device incorporating a control system including a geared motor for moving the slide, a conversion module for operating the geared motor in accordance with the outputs of sensors positioned to determine outlet water pressure, temperature and humidity at the site of the snow gun, the conversion module being operatively connected to a central computer adapted to control the operation of a series of snow guns and feed devices located along a ski slope.

Abstract: A snow gun for making artificial snow by atomizing a mixture of air and water is disclosed. The snow gun comprises a hollow body, a compressed air supply conduit terminated by an injection nozzle accommodated inside the hollow body and opening at an end into the hollow body. A pressurized water supply conduit opens into a space between the hollow body and the air supply conduit. A mixing chamber for mixing air and water communicates through an inlet port with the interior of the hollow body, the inlet port facing the discharge nozzle of the injection nozzle. The injection nozzle is displaceable longitudinally relative to the inlet port of the mixing chamber for adjusting the water flow passage to the mixing chamber. A needle valve adjusts the cross-sectional area of discharge orifice of the air injection nozzle. The mixing chamber comprises the bore of a main nozzle extending in the continuation of the injection nozzle.