Kachina Peak
Located 50 miles south of the Colorado border, Taos Ski Valley is a mystical haven for 300+ inches of bone-dry powder and some of the most untamed chutes, bowls and glades in North America. To ensure the continued safety of the public, the resort decided to install avalanche mitigation controls to deal with the buildup of snow.
Geovert were contracted to construct several fixed remote avalanche control systems. The GAZEX inertia avalanche control systems, and a control shelter, were constructed at 12,000ft. They were installed to remotely release the avalanche when the snow build reaches a certain depth, enabling the Taos Ski Resort to operate safely below
Project Overview
The client was happy to be working with a contractor with extensive alpine and helicopter construction experience to provide peace of mind that the works would be completed safely. At the completion of the drilling for micro piling and ground anchors, the excavation was undertaken at each site, with reinforcement and formwork built around the micro piles and ground anchors. Concrete is flown using a heavy lift helicopter and when cured, the towers were also constructed safely using helicopters for lifting.
There are plenty of challenges when working in these Alpine Areas, the summer construction window can be cut short with little notice, so ensuring the project was completed before that first snow was they key challenge that was overcome.
Project Solution
